Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff

Written by Diane Tillis

You know him from Baywatch, Knight Rider, and America’s Got Talent. After nearly four decades in the entertainment business, David Hasselhoff created quite a name for his career as a pop icon. Now at a point in his dwindling career, Hasselhoff takes the plunge to be the center of attention at a Comedy Central Roast production. The man of a thousand voices, Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy), hosts the production.

Anyone who is familiar with the Comedy Central Roast series knows what to expect of an individual show. All the roasters get up one-by-one and try to humiliate the guest of honor. The roasters also take the opportunity to humiliate each other. Hasselhoff’s roasters include Pamela Anderson, Whitney Cummings, Greg Giraldo, Gilbert Gottfried, George Hamilton, Hulk Hogan, Lisa Lampanelli, Jeffrey Ross, and Jerry Springer.

The jokes can be hit or miss, but no one was a complete disaster. Pamela Anderson deals with constant remarks related to her ever-changing bra size! Hulk Hogan also takes many hits related to his divorce and questions about his sexuality. Sometimes I began to wonder if this was the roast of Lisa Lampanelli, since every roaster comments on her lifestyle or career. Jeffrey Ross provided a visual demonstration I will try my best to forget! The screeching hilarity of Gilbert Gottfried made him one of the more amusing roasters. Hasselhoff laughs at all the humiliation related to his career choices, physique, and leaked YouTube videos. He even takes the opportunity to joke about himself towards the end of the show.

Since this is the ‘extended and uncensored’ version of the roast, it is important to remark on the dialog content of the film. The roasters do not hold back! Expect graphic language related to adult situations and sexuality.

Video

The video aspect ratio is 1.78:1. The video looks the same as any other live studio production. There is nothing remarkable about the quality. The black levels and lighting are fine.

Audio

The audio is in Dolby Digital 2.0 with an English language track, but no subtitles. The dialog is understandable, even over the laughing audience. The two times Hasselhoff decides to sing are impossible to understand. The accompanying music is just too loud and drowns Hasselhoff’s voice. Unless you are a fan from Germany, this is probably not a problem, rather a blessing!

Special Features

The DVD has a lot of behind-the-scenes footage. The Behind-the-Scenes featurette captures moments during the rehearsal, on the red carpet, and after the show. The Red Carpet Interviews with Adam Devine are interviews composed from clips of celebrities answering similar questions. The interviews include a one-on-one interview with David Hasselhoff. The Hoff’s Post-Roast Reaction captures a bewildered and possibly drunk Hasselhoff after the show. The Roasters Wrap-Up captures each roaster’s reaction to the show.

Final Thoughts

This Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff was not amazing, but it will get you laughing. I would never buy a DVD copy of the roast, but I would watch it on television if the chance presented itself.