[joshua c]

i have a question. when did it become a celebrity roast? has it always been that way?

[dfwgator]

More like, when did it turn into The Jerry Springer Show?

[PghBaldy]

They have often playfully teased stars.

[stanne]

“ have a question. when did it become a celebrity roast? has it always been that way?”

What? That’s a joke right?

[skr]

Bob Hope hosted the Oscars 19 times, starting before it was broadcast on television. He made fun of entire groups of people, as well as specific ones, and even alluded to the Nuremberg trials (Judgment at Santa Monica) in one of his opening monologues. No one punched or slapped anyone, however controversial his joke was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOtp4dli7-4, starting at 2:01, first televised Oscars show’s Bob Hope monologue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRSAhrqpTBI, starting at 6:54, introduction of him and his first joke for several shows and then his 1975 monologue which had a moment that gave the audience pause.

[Dave W]

Yes, kind of. The comedians have always made fun of the movies and stars during the telecast - but not brutal - kind of gentle, but people can be offended over most anything anymore. I do understand that stars live with a certain amount of indignity. They are always being criticized about something, but that just goes with the territory.

For example, Amy Schumer said at the beginning of the Oscars on Sunday, that she has watched Power of the Dog three times but has only made it half way through. That got a fairly big laugh because it is a very boring movie - perhaps the most boring movie I have ever seen. So the humor is similar to that normally.