Norm MacDonald conceived his set when director Joel Gallen told him to be shocking. Rather than going down the traditional route, MacDonald instead told a series of corny jokes from a book his father gave him early in his comedy career. The set is widely praised as being one of the best in all of the Comedy Central Roasts.
News spread very quickly after the roast that Bob Saget was offended by the jokes involving Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Saget explained years later that he actually wasn't that 'offended', going on to explain that he was asked by a reporter at the roast after-party if any of the jokes crossed the line. Saget claimed he had been drinking a little when he was asked this question too which spurred him to answer honestly, feeling still somewhat protective of the Olsen twins having worked with them at such a young age, Saget did cite the jokes aimed at them as being particularly harsh, but never claimed of any offense caused or resentment at the roasters for telling them.
Artie Lange was scheduled to appear but canceled when he decided to check himself into an intensive outpatient rehabilitation facility.
Bob Saget died less than a year after Cloris Leachman (Saget on January 9, 2022, Leachman January 27, 2021).