 "You're doing great."
I hear it a lot. From comics, from audience members, from people who genuinely love what we’re building at Comedy on Mackay. And I know they mean it with love. They’re rooting for us. But what people don’t always see is that ‘doing great’ often means doing everything.
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 Let’s talk about comedy roasts.
Roasting — in the traditional sense — is one of comedy’s most misunderstood and misused formats. When done well, it’s artful, pointed, and hilarious. When done poorly, it’s just… mean. Or worse, lazy. Lately, I’ve been seeing more comics at open mics and indie shows trying to “roast” each other off the cuff. Sometimes it lands. Most of the time? It doesn’t. So I wanted to break down what a roast really is, how it’s meant to work, and why improvising one without structure or purpose is a recipe for a cringe fire. 🥩 So What Is a Roast? At its core, a roast is a consensual, exaggerated insult-fest rooted in admiration, rapport, and, ideally, jokes that actually have punchlines. It’s not about humiliation — it’s about elevated insult comedy, where the sting is offset by the wit and the underlying affection. The most iconic roasts? They’re written with surgical precision.
“You were in Die Hard, but your acting has always been try hard.” That’s how it’s done. Wordplay, specificity, sting — and it still lands with a laugh. 🧱 The Basic Structure of a Roast Joke If you’re going to write a roast joke (please write it), here’s a simple formula:
Example (about me): “Tina Cruz looks like she’s trying to cosplay as Ali Wong… using coupons and unresolved trauma.” It’s specific, it’s exaggerated, and it’s rooted in something real (I mean… the trauma part is accurate). 😬 Why Improvised Roasts Go Sideways Here’s the problem I keep seeing: comics try to roast each other without knowing each other. Or worse, they aim for “funny” and land in public HR violation.
When you improvise a roast without structure, you’re relying on shock value to carry the moment. And unless you’ve got the precision of a sniper and the relationship to back it up, it usually just feels awkward, hurtful, or like an attempt to hijack the vibe of the room. 🔥 A Roast Without Consent Is Just Bullying Let’s be clear: If the other comic didn’t agree to a roast, you’re not roasting — you’re taking shots. There’s a reason Comedy Central roasts are built around mutual consent, rehearsal, and preparation. Even the people getting torched are in on the joke. If your “roast” leaves the room in silence or the comic you’re targeting visibly uncomfortable, it’s not the audience’s fault for “not getting it.” It’s yours. You didn’t write a joke. You just said something meaner than it was funny. 💡 Tips for Roasting Without Ruining the Vibe
🧠 Final Thoughts I love a good roast. I live for a sharp insult with a beautiful rhythm and a sly wink. But if your only goal is to “shock,” you’re not roasting — you’re just flailing. Good roast comics? They’re craftsmen. They study the target. They write. They rewrite. And most importantly — they still care about the joke more than the jab. So next time you’re tempted to fire off an improvised roast, ask yourself: Is this a joke? Or is it just a moment I’ll regret later? (And if you’re unsure, maybe just go back to that solid joke you wrote about your mom, your anxiety meds, or your last situationship. That one always kills.)  It’s a question I keep coming back to.
What is good comedy? Not just funny comedy. Not just crowd-pleasing, brand-safe comedy. But good comedy — the kind that lingers, that stays with people for the right reasons. The kind that respects the room without playing it safe. The kind that hits you in the gut, but still makes you want to come back for more. |
AuthorTighter blog bio: Tina Cruz (@tinatellsjokes) is a comedian, musician, writer, and producer whose sharp, introspective humour explores cultural identity, family dysfunction, dating, and personal chaos. She performs in English, French, and Spanish, and is the founder and co-producer of Comedy on Mackay, voted #1 Best Comedy Night by CultMTL readers. Tina has performed across Canada and the U.S., produced a successful run at FringeMTL 2025, performed at LadyFestMTL 2025, and trained at The Second City and Montreal Improv. She is also the author of How to Host a Comedy Show: A Practical Guide to Running the Room. Archives
June 2026
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