Netflix to film Jeff Ross Broadway show Saturday

Jeff Ross, known as the "Roastmaster General," will have his Broadway debut "Take a Banana for the Ride" filmed for Netflix during two performances on Saturday, September 27, at the Nederlander Theaterbroadwayworld+1.

The intimate one-man show marks a departure from Ross's typical roasting style, offering audiences personal stories about family loss, resilience, and his Jewish upbringing, named after his beloved grandfather's travel advicebroadwayworld+1.

The Broadway run began previews on August 5 and opened officially on August 18, concluding its eight-week limited engagement on September 29broadwayworld+1.

This Netflix acquisition builds on Ross's recent streaming success, including co-hosting "The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady" which earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Specialpatriotswire.usatoday+1.

The show blends humor with heartfelt storytelling, musical elements, and reflections on life's unexpected turns, designed as "a healing experience to be enjoyed with others"deadline+1.

'Roastmaster General' Jeff Ross is set to bring his intimate Broadway debut to streaming audiences as Netflix prepares to capture his one-man show "Take a Banana for the Ride" for a 2026 release. The taping will occur during two performances this Saturday, September 27, at the Nederlander Theater, just one day before the show closes.broadwayworld+2

The filming represents a major milestone for Ross, whose Broadway run has offered audiences a strikingly personal side of the comedian known for his ruthless celebrity roasts. Unlike his typical rapid-fire insult delivery, "Take a Banana for the Ride" blends humor with heartfelt family stories, musical elements, and reflections on loss and resilience.playbill+1

Netflix Partnership Continues Ross's Streaming Success

This Netflix acquisition builds on Ross's recent streaming triumphs with the platform. Earlier this year, he co-hosted "The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady," which earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). The Brady roast became a cultural phenomenon, though Brady later expressed regret about how the jokes affected his family.patriotswire.usatoday+2

The partnership underscores Netflix's continued investment in comedy specials, with Gabriel Iglesias's "Legend of Fluffy" leading the platform's comedy viewership in the first half of 2025 with 7.8 million views. Ross joins a roster that has included major names like Kevin Hart, Ali Wong, and Ricky Gervais releasing specials throughout 2025.deadline+1

Broadway Run Reveals Vulnerable Side

"Take a Banana for the Ride" marked Ross's long-awaited Broadway debut after decades of dreaming about performing on the Great White Way. The show, which began previews August 5 and officially opened August 18, has drawn praise for its emotional depth and Ross's willingness to show vulnerability.youtube+2

Critics have noted the show's departure from Ross's typical roasting style, with The New York Times calling it a "very funny, willfully upbeat show" that reveals Ross "at his most unguarded". The production focuses on his Jewish upbringing, family losses including his parents' deaths during his teenage years, and recent cancer scare, all woven together with his signature humor.nytimes+3

The show's title comes from practical advice Ross's grandfather gave him about always being prepared for life's unexpected turns – wisdom that has taken on deeper meaning as Ross has navigated personal losses and health challenges. The 90-minute performance combines "dangerous jokes, touching family stories, and songs," with no two shows exactly alike.jeffrossbroadway+3

While the specific Netflix release date remains unannounced, the streaming special will preserve Ross's Broadway moment for global audiences, continuing the comedian's evolution from roastmaster to storyteller.broadwayworld+2

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