Roast Battle originated in 2013 when two comedians' argument led to a competition of insults on stage. The concept gained popularity, with many comedians participating in roast battles, allowing issues to be hashed out humorously. Although roasting had been established at venues like the Friar's Club, this format of back-and-forth insults was innovative. In 2014, Rell Battle and E. Scott Linder acquired the New York Comedy Club, revitalizing it with new ideas relevant to the comedic scene.
In 2013, two comedians started arguing in the parking lot of the renowned Comedy Store in Los Angeles when fellow comics Rell Battle and Brian Moses broke it up and insisted they metaphorically duke it out with insults before a crowd.
Rounds can be awkward and slow, and others are quick-witted and sharp, sometimes turning friends into enemies and lovers into exes in a hilarious blow-for-blow competition, but not all with sharp tongues have thick skins.
Taking its cues from rap battle culture, word of this new style of comedy spread quickly and attracted high profile comedians and club owners.
Rell Battle and E. Scott Linder bought the New York Comedy Club on 24th Street in 2014 after the previous owner, Al Martin, died at the age of 65.
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