A roast is defined as a public means of giving out insults, tributes, or even telling outlandish stories (be they true or outright lies) while keeping it fun and entertaining for all. There is a roast-master and the "roastee" is often a celebrity of some sort, and participants include friends, co-workers, fans, and family, many of whom also participate in putting the "roastee" on the hot seat. Among the "roastees" are Pamela Anderson, Denis Leary, William Shatner, David Hasselhoff, Donald Trump, Joan Rivers, and Charlie Sheen. Each of the participants have to have a thick skin and a broad sense of humor because some of the comments bestowed on them can be rather colorful and even downright mean spirited, yet all meant to be in fun. The 90 minute programs may have certain requests that some topics be left out of the final airing including William Shatner's request that the fact his late wife drown in their pool as well as Pamela Anderson asking that her bout with Hepatitis C be kept from the show. Charlie Sheen also requested jokes referencing his mother not be aired. Others have made no such requests, leaving themselves wide open for a happy roasting!

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