New York Comedy Club Celebrates Decade of Roasting with 10th Annual Roast Battle
New York, NY – The New York Comedy Club is set to mark its 10th anniversary with its annual Roast Battle on Thursday, July 17. The event will feature six comedians battling it out with sharp-witted insults before a live audience and a panel of judges including Rell Battle,Mike Lawrence,and Yamaneika Saunders.The competition will pit three pairs of comics against each other: Tommy Farrell versus Charity Gregory, Dan wickes versus Malia Simon, and James Pontillo versus Irina Chelidze in a special women versus men showdown. Each round will consist of 13 jokes per comic, spread across three rounds.
Neko White, who has hosted the Roast Battle for the past seven years, will return to host the milestone event. He emphasized the inclusive nature of the competition, stating, “There’s winners of Roast Battle, but there’s really not any loser. If your round puts on a great show for the audience,you still ‘win.'”
James Pontillo, a long-time producer of the New York Roast Battle and responsible for booking talent, echoed this sentiment, aiming for diversity in his selections. “I always try to make it diverse. I’ll book anyone,” he told amNewYork.
The article notes the historical dominance of white men in comedy, while acknowledging the growing prominence of Black comedians and the increasing global exposure of comedians through social media.tickets for the 10th annual Roast Battle are available starting at $25, with an additional $20 minimum purchase, and can be bought at newyorkcomedyclub.com. The event promises a night of “gut-punching insults” as comedians vie for the top spot.