Get ready for a scorching 90 minutes of back-stabbing and celeb-bashing comedy as the ‘Black Pearl’ comes under the griller by her peers
Thursday, 28 November 2024: They came, they saw, they fired shots … and they served up a royal grilling worthy of Queen Sono! Get ready to gasp and splutter at a volley of outrageous punchlines when the Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi airs on Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122) at 9pm CAT on Sunday, 8 December 2024.
The #RoastofPearl, which was recorded live at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre, south of Johannesburg on 21 November, is being edited into a 90-minute comedy special for broadcast. Helmed by the flamboyant SomiziMhlongo as Roastmaster, it promises viewers an explosive combo of sass, spice and waspishness as an all-star panel gathers to roast Ms Thusi – and each other!
Comedy Central is all about promoting homegrown comic talent, and the Roast line-up showcases the power of locally sourced laughter. In the pre-Roast show, two-time Comics’ Choice Award winner Vafa Naraghi warms up the crowd, while fellow funnyman ThabisoMhlongo introduces the panellists (quipping that he definitely didn’t get the job due to having the same surname as Somizi). Catch them in the Comedy Central Roast pre-show at 20:00 on 8 December (DStv channel 122).
This panel of Roasters comprises comedians David Kau, Tol Ass Mo, Farieda “Pharoahfi” Metsileng and Rob van Vuuren, as well as veteran actress Mam’ Lillian Dube, Idols’ “Mr Nasty” Randall Abrahams, and entertainers Phat Joe, Zee Nxumalo, ZodwaWabantu (who, not surprisingly, appears wearing a very revealing outfit), Busiswa and Donald.
Then it’s time for the Roast of actress, media personality, presenter and DJ Pearl Thusi, fittingly wearing a fiery red ensemble for the occasion. The “Black Pearl” is South Africa’s queen of the screen and one of our most admired and talked-about celebrities. Will she wilt under the pressure of the snipes and jibes? Will her perfect poise crack?
Stamping her authority with a defiant statement of intent from the outset, Pearl makes her grand entrance with an explosive song-and-dance performance against a backdrop of flames and back-up dancers. Was that a good strategy? Grab the popcorn and let’s see!
Here’s a teaser of some of the jibes audiences can expect during the #RoastofPearl:
• “Pearl should never sing or perform again if her opening act is anything to go by”
• “Phat Joe should have named his son Randburginstead of Brooklyn”
• “Donald is so conscious of his image, he changes his ID photo every year”
• “Rob is the hardbody chicken version of white people”
• “Mam’ Lillian needs to release Desmond [Dube] from his Clientele internship”
• “Tol Ass Mo should’ve come to the Roast in orange prison gear”
• “Busiswa looks like uZodwa zoomed out”
• …. and those are just the comments fit for publication – it gets a lot spicier!
Says Pearl Thusi of her time in the hot seat, “The Roast was an unforgettable experience, and I felt that I was able to take the heat as well as dish it out! I’m in a confident space right now, and this gave me a great platform to test out my armour and remind myself not to take myself too seriously. There were definitely some low blows, though … VERY low blows! But it was all in the name of fun, and I enjoyed every moment.”
Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Paramount Africa, and Lead at BET International, adds, “The shots fired during the #RoastofPearl are insane! Our local celebs take no prisoners when it comes to throwing shade at each other and relish every moment – even when they’re the ones sweating! Watching the #RoastofPearl is a fantastic way for African comedy lovers and celeb spotters to kick off the holiday season – with plenty of hot takes to dissect over those festive tables.”
Set a reminder and tune into Comedy Central (DStvChannel 122) at 9pm CAT on Sunday, 8 December 2024 for the Comedy Central Roast of Pearl Thusi.
Disclaimer: The show has an age restriction and includes references to LGBTI+ topics.
