Harmless fun or too far? On Saturday, March 14, stars gathered to publicly bash Justin Bieber in Comedy Central’s Roast. But the “Boyfriend” singer, 21, wasn’t the only victim of the barbed comments.
As previously reported, the Biebs’ famed ex Selena Gomez was the subject of several vicious jokes. And a new report from Page Six reveals that the late Paul Walker was also targeted in several jokes, while his Furious 7 costar Ludacris watched in the audience.
“‘Move bitch, get out the way!’ is what Paul Walker should’ve told that tree,” comedian Jeff Ross said, referencing Ludacris’ 2001 song. “Too soon? Too fast? Too furious?”
Saturday Night Live newcomer Pete Davidson also joined in with a Walker quip, saying, “Just this past year, Justin got arrested for drag racing. Unfortunately it wasn’t with Paul Walker. What? He’s doing great! He’s got a movie coming out!”
Walker tragically died at the age of 40 in November 2013 when the Porsche he was riding in with pal Roger Rodas collided with a light pole. (Rodas also did not survive the crash and passed away at age 38.)
According to Page Six, Walker’s rapper pal Ludacris was “deeply upset” by the jokes.
A source close to the “Act a Fool” emcee said the comments “were in absolutely poor taste and silenced the audience, leaving many upset guests — especially Chris, as Paul was like a brother to him, on and offscreen.”
A rep for Comedy Central said all jokes about Walker will be taken out of the Monday, March 30 telecast.
“Roasts often push the limits of good taste,” the rep said in a statement to Page Six. “Sometimes the line is discovered by crossing it. The Paul Walker references will not be in the telecast.”
