When Was the Last Time You Saw the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts?

Originally part of The Dean Martin Show, the Celebrity Roasts became a separate television special series in the 1970s. Hosted by Dean Martin, the roasts showcased affectionate, joke-filled tributes to well-known entertainers and public figures. Notable roastees and guests included Michael Landon, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller and many others. Some episodes have been released on DVD and are available online, though availability depends on distributor and region.

Why the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts mattered

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts began as a recurring segment on The Dean Martin Show and became one of television's best-known roast formats. Dean Martin - singer, actor and member of the Rat Pack - used relaxed charm and quick wit to preside over evenings where friends and peers traded affectionate insults and behind-the-scenes stories.

From variety segment to a stand-alone series

The roast segment became so popular it spun off into its own television special series in the 1970s, running through the next decade and featuring celebrities from film, television, sports and politics. The tone was broadly good-natured: roastees agreed to be the target of ribbing by longtime colleagues and comedians, often resulting in memorable on-air moments.

Notable guests and roastees

The roasts drew large, eclectic guest rosters. Examples include Michael Landon (roastee) with roasters such as Phyllis Diller, Ernest Borgnine, Joey Bishop, Norm Crosby, Euell Gibbons, Guy Marks, Jan Murray, Cliff Robertson, Lorne Greene, Sid Caesar, Amanda Blake, Victor Sen-Yung and Don Rickles.

Other broadcast roasts and compilation programs featured a who's who of mid-century entertainment: Don Rickles, Orson Welles, Paul Lynde, Joe Namath, Barry Goldwater, Angie Dickinson, Muhammad Ali, Jimmy Stewart, Gabe Kaplan, Gene Kelly, Hubert Humphrey, Charlie Callas, John Wayne, Freddie Prinze, Milton Berle, Peter Graves, Dom DeLuise, Monty Hall, Jack Klugman, Tony Randall, Bob Hope, William Conrad, Evel Knievel, Jackie Gleason, Danny Thomas, Art Carney, Joey Bishop, Rich Little, Ruth Buzzi and Tony Orlando.

A roast for Sammy Davis Jr. showcased performances and barbs from Milton Berle, Wilt Chamberlain, Freddie Prinze, Norm Crosby, Dionne Warwick, Joey Bishop, Phyllis Diller, Jan Murray, Frank Gorshin, Foster Brooks, Don Rickles and Altovise Davis.

Watching the roasts today

Select Dean Martin roast episodes have appeared in DVD compilations, and clips or full segments circulate on video-sharing sites and classic television services. Availability varies by title, distributor and region; official releases and streaming options change over time, so check current home-video retailers and streaming platforms for titles and rights.¹

Legacy

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts helped popularize televised roast comedy: a structured evening of affectionate mockery performed by peers. Their influence is visible in later roast formats and comedy specials that pair celebrity guests with comedians for scripted and improvised jabs.

1. Confirm the exact years and network details for when the roast segment spun off into a standalone television series in the 1970s and its end year.
2. Verify specific DVD releases, distributors and current streaming availability for Dean Martin Celebrity Roast episodes.