Roast & Comedy Guides

The history, psychology, and etiquette of roast humor — how the format works and how to keep it fun for everyone.

How the modern celebrity roast format developed from centuries-old traditions of ceremonial insult humor.

5 min read

A look at the structural techniques that separate a genuinely funny roast line from one that just falls flat.

5 min read

A clear look at what separates playful roasting from bullying, and why the distinction matters more than the words themselves.

5 min read

How competitive banter became a recognized, and sometimes celebrated, part of sports culture.

4 min read

The psychology behind why making fun of yourself can be disarming, and where it can tip into something less healthy.

5 min read

What research on humor suggests about why playful put-downs get a laugh, even from the person being teased.

5 min read

The insult-joke format has a documented history going back centuries, long before it became a schoolyard staple.

4 min read

Why comparing your work ethic to a Roomba stuck under a couch is funnier than a straightforward insult, explained.

4 min read

Looking at how the structure of witty insults has stayed remarkably consistent across very different eras and cultures.

5 min read

Practical guidelines for keeping a roast fun and mutual, rather than letting it tip into something genuinely hurtful.

5 min read