The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973)
NBC's legendary comedy institution where Dean Martin and Hollywood's biggest stars gathered to trade gloriously sharp insults across eleven unforgettable years.
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts - Series Information
- Original Title: The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
- First Air Year: 1973
- Last Air Year: 1984
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 8
- Number of Episodes: 85
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 14, 1973 (Canada - PG)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Dean Martin Celebrity Roast (US)
- Production Companies: Sasha-Garrison Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts - Plot
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts is a NBC television special show hosted by entertainer Dean Martin from 1974 to 1984. For a series of 54 specials and shows, Martin would periodically "roast" a celebrity. These roasts were patterned after the roasts held at the New York Friars' Club in New York City. The format would have the celebrity guest seated at a banquet table, and one by one the guest of honor was affectionately chided or insulted about his career by his fellow celebrity friends. In 1973, The Dean Martin Show was declining in popularity. The final season of his variety show would be retooled into one of celebrity roasts, requiring less of Martin's involvement. For the 1973–1974 season, a new feature called "Man of the Week Celebrity Roast" was added to try to pick up the ratings. The roasts seemed to be popular among television audiences and are often marketed in post-issues as part of the official Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and not The Dean Martin Show. After The Dean Martin Show was cancelled in 1974, NBC drew up a contract with Martin to do several specials and do more roast specials. Starting with Bob Hope in 1974, the roast was taped in California and turned out to be a hit, leading to many other roasts to follow.
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The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Dean Martin
- Phyllis Diller
- Foster Brooks
- Don Rickles
- Milton Berle
- Rich Little
- Nipsey Russell
- Frank Gorshin
- Howard Cosell
- Danny Thomas
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts - FAQs
What inspired the format of The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts?
The roasts were directly modeled on the legendary banquet tradition of the New York Friars' Club, where celebrities would gather to affectionately skewer a guest of honor. Dean Martin adapted this format for television, seating the honoree at a banquet table while fellow stars took turns delivering witty insults and tributes.
Is The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts worth watching today?
Absolutely a treat for classic TV fans. The roasts capture a golden era of Hollywood camaraderie, with legends like Don Rickles, Milton Berle, and Phyllis Diller at their sharpest. The chemistry between performers is genuine and electric, offering both hilarious comedy and a fascinating time capsule of mid-century American entertainment culture.
Where can you stream The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts?
The series is available on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads, as well as through the Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. Free viewing options include Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Plex, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads — plenty of ways to enjoy the laughs at no extra cost.
How did the roasts evolve after The Dean Martin Show ended?
After The Dean Martin Show was cancelled in 1974, NBC signed Martin to produce standalone roast specials. The first, honoring Bob Hope, was taped in California and became a ratings hit. This success launched a long run of specials that continued through 1984, cementing the roast format as a beloved television institution.
Who were the most frequent celebrity guests on the roasts?
Don Rickles, Milton Berle, Phyllis Diller, and Rich Little were among the most recurring faces at the roast dais. The ensemble also regularly featured Foster Brooks, Frank Gorshin, Nipsey Russell, and Danny Thomas, while legendary guests like James Stewart, Gene Kelly, and Ernest Borgnine appeared as honorees and panelists.
How many episodes does The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts have?
The series spans 85 episodes across 8 seasons, running from 1973 to 1984. This includes 13 specials in Season 0, a substantial 55-episode first season, and several shorter seasons of 6 episodes each, concluding with a single final episode in Season 8. Each episode ran approximately 60 minutes.
Did The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts influence modern comedy roasts?
The show's influence on comedy television is enormous. It essentially established the televised roast as a mainstream entertainment format, directly inspiring later productions like the Comedy Central Roasts. The blend of affectionate ribbing, star power, and sharp one-liners that Martin perfected remains the blueprint for celebrity roast programming to this day.
What are similar shows to The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts?
Fans of the roasts often enjoy Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In for its similar era and irreverent humor, or The Larry Sanders Show for sharp behind-the-scenes comedy. A Comedy Roast and Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out carry on the roast tradition in a more contemporary style for viewers craving that same spirit of playful celebrity ribbing.
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