Caitlyn Jenner became the first trans person ever to take the stage at a Comedy Central Roast, when she showed up to razz Alec Baldwin Saturday night. Despite the milestone, roasters like “Will and Grace” star Sean Hayes didn’t hold back at ribbing Jenner for her transition and a whole lot more.
“You’ve got some balls, girl,” Hayes joked in the opening moments of taping at the Saban Theatre in Los Angeles.
Jenner told the audience she knew what she was getting into just being at the roast, but explained that her decision to join was to inspire “future generations of transgender people.”
“I’m a person trying to figure out my life, just like everyone else,” Jenner said. “All I want is for future generations of transgender people to know that if I can find the courage to be ridiculed, you can handle anything… except Adam Carolla’s podcast.”
Jenner was open to talking about her transition, and also ready to take the jokes as good as she was throwing them at Baldwin. When on stage, she said she didn’t simply cut “it” off, she “retired it” after having 10 children and nearly 20 grandchildren.
Carolla, Roast Master Hayes, Robert De Niro and NBA All-Star Blake Griffin were also on the dais, each taking their shots at the “Saturday Night Live” Trump, but Jenner took about as many jokes as the “Glengarry Glenn Ross” and “30 Rock” actor himself. And she would often cheer on her fellow roasters when she was their target.
Griffin joked about Jenner’s transition, saying it was proof that “no one in that family wants a white dick.” Note: Griffin once dated Jenner’s daughter, Kendall.
“SNL” cast member Chris Redd even likened fellow roaster Jeff Ross to Jenner’s penis “coming back to haunt her.”
Jokes about Jenner were not limited to her transition. In one of the biggest laughs of the night, comedian Nikki Glaser took a shot at Jenner’s relationship with her daughters, saying, “even Casey Anthony knows” where her daughter is.
Jenner was also on the hot seat for voting for Donald Trump, which she later wrote in an op-ed was a mistake. Comedian Jeff Ross asked Jenner while he was at the podium why she chose to be a woman and then “vote against a woman’s right to choose.” She nodded in acknowledgement.
Even though there was much attention drawn by Jenner, Baldwin didn’t go home scot-free though, as his gaffs playing Words with Friends on an airplane, punching a paparazzi and the infamous voicemail calling his daughter a “rude, thoughtless pig” were fair game.
His daughter Ireland came to the podium as a surprise roaster and referenced the “thoughtless pig” voicemail. She teased, “After years of giving verbal abuse, it’s finally time you receive some.”
The Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin” will air on Sept. 15.