HOT TOPICS | Godfrey Takes On the Kevin Hart Roast & DESTROYS Black MAGA!

Godfrey expressed disappointment that the Kevin Hart roast did not feature more Black comedians. He argued that while free speech in comedy is important, the roast relied on 'old' and uncreative racial stereotypes (monkey jokes, skin complexion, absent fathers) from white comedians like Tony Hinchcliffe and Shane Gillis, rather than clever, updated racial humor.

Godfrey stated, "I think they should have fortified the roast with more black comedians... most white people when they when they when they have a chance to roast you, they're going to go for the the old... it's going to be the monkey jokes. It's going to be the skin complexion jokes... the stereotypes that have been ingrained in American minds for centuries." He also mentioned the approval system for jokes, implying awareness of the content.

Godfrey advocates for 'updating racism' in comedy, meaning racial jokes should be more clever and nuanced rather than relying on crude, centuries-old stereotypes. He contrasted the Kevin Hart roast's humor with a Gilbert Gottfried joke, which, while racially charged, was delivered with undeniable wit and craft.

Godfrey said, "It's okay to do racial stuff, but why can't we be a little more clever with it? That's all I'm saying. Like, be more clever with it. I always say update your racism." He then cited Gilbert Gottfried's joke about a 'slave ship' as an example of clever, hardcore racial humor.

Don Lemon and Godfrey noted that Black America's outrage over certain aspects of the roast was a positive sign, indicating a collective refusal to be treated as mere 'amusement park' entertainment. They see this outrage as an awakening, demanding respect and challenging the dehumanizing views often held by society.

Godfrey stated, "I also like that black America was upset. I like that because that's an awakening of we don't want our the black race. We're not an amusement park anymore... What is wrong with black people being outraged?" He added, "They don't really see us as human beings. They see us as like entertainment, like these entertainment objects."

The hosts strongly criticized Black conservative figures like Tim Scott and Wesley Hunt, labeling them 'irregular negroes' or 'defective products' for denying the existence of systemic racism and aligning with narratives that are detrimental to the Black community. Don Lemon suggests that for some, 'it's almost patriotic to hate black people.'

Godfrey questioned, "Who created these irregular negroes?" referring to Black individuals who deny racism. Don Lemon's friend Dante's quote: "it's almost patriotic to hate black people."

Don Lemon highlighted that many Indian-Americans and some Latino Americans fail to acknowledge that the rights and opportunities they enjoy in the U.S. were largely secured by the Black Civil Rights Movement. He finds it insulting that some of these groups harbor anti-Black sentiments despite this historical context.

Don Lemon stated, "I don't understand why especially Indian-Americans and and some Latino Americans... why they aren't thanking and loving black people and sending us uh thank yous every single day because of the civil rights movement. You have the rights that you have now."

The discussion touched on colorism, particularly in the Dominican Republic and India, where there's a desire to lighten skin and deny African heritage due to colonial influences. This manifests in practices like hair straightening and widespread skin-lightening product advertising.

Godfrey described Dominicans saying, "I'm Dominican, Papa. I'm no black." He explained, "it's colorism, colonialism... straightening your hair is the most important thing to get the kinks out. They don't want that Africa in them." Don Lemon recounted seeing "so many skin lightening commercials and products" in India.

Both hosts lamented the historical lack of diversity in late-night talk shows, noting that the space has predominantly featured white men in suits. They highlighted how Black hosts like Arsenio Hall and Trevor Noah (who took over an established show) faced different challenges or shorter tenures compared to their white counterparts.

Godfrey stated, "The late night talk show space is kind of whack. And what I don't like is that it was never diversified. Arsenio was the last guy... all the other white dudes stay through all the whole thing." Don Lemon added, "George Lopez had a show. Remember Magic Johnson had a show. It wasn't there for that long."