The Justin Bieber roast jokes about the late Paul Walker are deemed too offensive for TV that Comedy Central will cut them before the final telecast airing on March 30.
The recording of Comedy Central's Roast of Justin Bieber, shot Saturday night in L.A., featured a few references to the late "Fast & Furious" actor, who died in a car crash in November 2013. Following the taping of the raunchy roasting, it was reported that some comedians dished out jokes related to the pop singer's driving habits and Walker's death.
In a statement released Monday, the TV network said the Paul Walker jokes crossed the line and would not be included in the telecast, reported USA Today.
"Roasts often push the limits of good taste and we give the participants full rein to try things knowing we have the edit to shape the show. Sometimes the line is discovered by crossing it. The Paul Walker references will not be in the telecast," the statement read.
Among the controversial Paul Walker jokes was one made by comedian Jeffrey Ross, directing it at fellow roaster Ludacris, Walker's friend and "Fast & Furious" co-star.
"'Move b--h, get out of the way!' is what Paul Walker should've told that tree," Ross said, quoting a popular Ludacris lyric in his joke. "Too soon? Too fast? Too furious?" the comedian added, eliciting mixed reactions from the crowd. "Give me a break people I'm trying to save this kid's life."
Ludacris, who was also onstage as one of Bieber's roasters, was said to be clearly upset by the Paul Walker comments. Even the "Baby" singer felt offended by the insensitive remarks, and told reporters backstage after the Roast, "I didn't particularly like the Paul Walker jokes."
Bieber, 21, reportedly asked for the roast as part of his efforts to redeem his image. "I lost some of my best qualities," the "Boyfriend" singer said at the end of the roast. "I'm looking forward to being someone to be proud of. Someone close to me once said how you rise from a fall is how you are truly defined as a man."
The Justin Bieber Roast will air on March 30 at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.
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