Joining Mr. Peanut on his return to the Super Bowl is standup comedian Jeff Ross. Ross is also an actor, writer, director, and producer who has appeared in different projects like “The Wedding Ringer,” “The Emoji Movie,” “Dr. Ken,” and “American Dad!” But he’s mostly known for playing himself on shows like “The Simpsons” and “Crank Yankers,” and especially as the Roastmaster General for the Comedy Central Celebrity Roasts.
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Ross’s first onscreen roast appearance was on “The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Drew Carey,” according to Rolling Stone, which was televised by Comedy Central in 1998. The roasts themselves were a Friars Club tradition dating back to the 1950s, where comedians would come together and say horrible yet (presumably) funny digs in “honor” of a celebrity. Comedy Central aired several of these Friars Club roasts, starting with Carey’s, before creating its own series of roasts in 2003. Ross is a staple at nearly all of the televised roasts over the years. It’s become his brand, branching out into series such as “Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle” from 2016 to 2018, and Netflix’s “Historical Roasts,” where Ross and comedians take potshots at historical figures while honoring their legacies. Ross even uses the format for social commentary, per his website, taking on subjects like criminals, cops, and the Mexican border. So, while Mr. Peanut does try to help Ross prepare for his roast, the comedian already has plenty of experience.
