Being roasted is an honor, but you must be careful to honor people while roasting them during a public speaking engagement. Joke about things that are obviously not true and then exaggerate to make them more obvious. However, you can shockingly exaggerate things that are true.
When choosing the target of a story or a dirty joke, choose big targets. Never make fun of a small target (janitor, secretary, etc.). Make fun of the boss. He or she is still the boss after all the teasing and will look like great sport for accepting it.
Members of ‘in’ groups can joke about their peers and insult each other all they want. Bob Hope made fun of Ronald Reagan. Everyone knew they were friends.
If you spread an insult or a collection of insults widely, the group can laugh together. No one is individually ashamed. The same comments directed at an individual away from the cohesive influence of the group can cause someone to become upset.
Always clarify your comments IN ADVANCE! Unless you’re participating in a full roasting program, always make fun of yourself first. If you fool yourself first, the audience will be more receptive when you joke around with them. Here are some roast examples:
To an AT&T executive:
If a Martian called Ed’s office to get in touch with Earth, I’d try to sell them the benefits of our new 800 service.
Keep comments focused on unimportant things that can’t be harmful.
Folks, we’re here tonight for Roast Joe. I’m particularly happy to be here because now I can say in public all the things I’ve been saying behind his back. He is a man/woman of the world. . . And you know what a mess the world is in.
Insult on areas of recognized strength and superiority!
To a great family man and/or community leader:
Joe’s (neighbors/business associates/preacher, etc.) say that he and his wife make a wonderful couple. . . If it wasn’t for Joe.
To a well-known philanthropist:
He is a man of rare gifts. . . he hasn’t given any in years.
In a program with a long head table with many speakers, an emcee might say:
The emcee’s job is not to be wise or clever. In fact, it’s his job to look boring so the show’s speakers will shine in comparison. Tonight it looks like I’m going to have to rise to new heights of boredom.
To the audience, the emcee or speaker might say:
I’m glad to be here tonight to look you in the face. . . . And God knows there are some faces here that need to be examined.
