When Netflix announced it was roasting Tom Brady, the haters, and the fans were hyped: Here was the chance to watch America’s most decorated quarterback sit in the hot seat, trading touchdowns for punchlines.
The title “The Greatest Roast of All Time” refers to his G.O.A.T. status as a quarterback and seemingly as a good sport. With jokes about deflated footballs and career-defining moments promised, it seemed like the perfect 90-minute event. Or so we thought.
But do you know “How Long Is the Tom Brady Roast?” It was a marathon of 3 hours. Yes, three hours to roast a man who for twenty years roasted NFL defenses. But the question is, “Why did it run that long?” Let’s explain it.
The G.O.A.T. of Roasts
Is he worthy of three hours of comedic barbs? Sure, it’s Tom Brady, who is inarguably synonymous with greatness. Just for perspective, even those classic Dean Martin celebrity roasts of the 1970s, featuring icons no less than Frank Sinatra, didn’t stretch past 60 minutes. And here we were with Brady’s roast longer than a doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
But why? Maybe Netflix wanted to make the roast a bit of an event, an epic farewell to a quarterback who defined an era. Or maybe Brady himself insisted that every moment of his glorious career and its many controversies be skewered with equal vigor.
Regardless, the runtime was excessive, and viewers started to think that maybe they’d accidentally signed up for some sort of extended director’s cut.
How long is Tom Brady’s Roast?
When Netflix announced The Roast of Tom Brady: The Greatest Roast of All Time, expectations were high for a night filled with sharp wit and hilarious jabs. But what surprised audiences the most wasn’t the jokes. The runtime was 2 hours and 54 minutes of testing even the stamina of Brady’s biggest fans. Here’s a breakdown of what unfolded during this epic event.
Why did it take so long?
With a near-three-hour runtime, the roast follows Brady’s larger-than-life career. From seven Super Bowl wins to two decades-plus of dominance in the NFL.
It felt like the extended runtime was Netflix’s way of honoring his sustained legacy. Though comedy roasts do traditionally have a runtime of about 60-90 minutes, this one needed to be as huge as the man it was celebrating.
Breakdown of the Runtime
#1. Opening Performance
Host Kevin Hart immediately set the pace with his high-energy monologue, blending sports references with playful jabs about Brady’s life and career. Hart oozed charm in getting the audience ready for that night’s marathon of humor.
#2. Star-Studded Roasters
The roast’s core featured a lineup of athletes, comedians, and celebrities:
- Rob Gronkowski delivered hilarious anecdotes from their time as teammates.
- Kim Kardashian faced boos during her segment, though her jokes poked fun at Brady’s personal life and social media persona.
- Bill Belichick, Brady’s famously stoic former coach, showcased surprising humor, offering both heartfelt and biting commentary.
- Jeff Ross, the king of roasting, brought his signature style, ensuring no moment was too sacred.
#3. Highlight Moments
It was a roast covering everything from Deflategate and Brady’s crypto ventures to the high-profile divorce from Gisele Bündchen. One of the more surprising highlights was Drew Bledsoe, whose 2001 injury thrust Brady into stardom, delighted with his very self-aware set.
#4. Conclusion by Tom Brady
Fittingly enough, it was Brady who took the stage for a response, and his self-deprecating humor was killed as he playfully minimized some of his most questionable controversies and achievements. The quarterback-turned-comedian ended the night graciously, thanking the cast and audience.
What happened in those three hours?
#1. Star-Studded Cast & Questionable Moments
Roasters included some of the biggest names in sports, comedy, and entertainment. Kevin Hart hosted, delivering his signature humor, while comedian Nikki Glaser reportedly stole the show with razor-sharp jokes. The famously stoic Bill Belichick, the former coach of Brady, even flashed a sense of humor that had fans wondering if he was charismatic now. (possibly scripted)
Even Kim Kardashian made an appearance, though reports of live boos suggested she did not get quite the welcome one would expect from Brady’s touchdown celebrations. Her performance, much like her reality TV career, left viewers debating whether it was authentic or just another scripted spectacle.
#2. Brady’s Time at the Mic
Tom himself took a shot at comedy, filled with self-deprecating jokes around his infamous “Deflategate” scandal, but a few edgy jokes about 9/11 really split opinion.
Drew Bledsoe, the quarterback whose 2001 injury catapulted Brady to superstardom, proved one of the funnier guests of the night that even fallback legends get their moment.
A Test of Stamina for Fans
Three hours was a test of patience for viewers tuning in to relive the highs and lows of Brady’s career through a comedic lens. Sure, his career lasted more than 20 years and included seven Super Bowl victories, but did a roast need to be longer than most of his games?
At times, the roast uncomfortably felt like watching him methodically take apart opposing defenses long, relentlessly, impressively so, but exhausting.
Tom Brady Roast: Was It Worth It?
By three hours though, the runtime started to feel less like the function of a standout set and more like an ode to Brady’s larger-than-life legacy.
The highs—witty roasting, well-placed celebrity cameos, inside jokes—could’ve fit into a much tighter, punchier special. As is this runtime dragged on at times, occasionally feeling less like a comedy and more like a comedy endurance test.
Perhaps this was Brady’s final troll, a way to remind America of his dominance one last time: If you’re going to roast me, you’ll do it on my terms—and for three hours straight.
Conclusion
The Greatest Roast of All Time was just not a roast but a statement of how long the legacy of Tom Brady has been. Love it or simply endure the length, one thing is for sure this roast will be talked about for years in the future.