Eugene Mbugua dishes out behind-the-scenes secrets on comedy roast show 'The Hot Seat'

Eugene Mbugua, CEO of D&R Studios, has established himself as a powerhouse in Kenya's entertainment scene. At just 22, he broke new ground as the youngest producer to launch a TV show on national television with the premiere of Young Rich on K24. And following his success of 2022's Roast House, he’s back with a comedy roast show, The Hot Seat. The show features some of Kenya’s biggest celebrities and media personalities taking the heat in a hilarious battle of wits and jabs.

'The Hot Seat' marks another milestone for D&R Studios. What inspired you to produce another comedy roast show?

When we entered the stand-up comedy scene in 2022, we uncovered a fresh group of young comedians with great potential to connect with a youthful, urban audience. It's been an exciting journey since then. Our goal is to produce a new comedy show every year, and this is our 2024 edition.

What makes 'The Hot Seat' different from 'Roast House'?

First, the location has changed. We filmed the show at Alloy Bar & Lounge, which offers stunning aesthetics. We have also been attracting larger audiences, and over the years, the comedians we've collaborated with have honed their craft, resulting in even better performances. This growth will be reflected in the high-quality content we deliver.

How did you select the subjects, and what qualities made them the perfect fit?

Our process for selecting 'roastees' involved identifying individuals who are not only famous but also well known to our audience. We also consider their sense of humour and the amount of material available that can be used for roasting, ensuring there's enough content to work with.

What can viewers expect from Emmanuel Kisiangani as the roast master, and from the rest of the panel?

Emmanuel is incredible on stage. He has a natural talent for roasting and knows how to engage the crowd, making it a real pleasure to work with him. Another standout is Halaiki Bashir, who will also serve as a roast master in one of the episodes. Over time, Halaiki has proven to be an excellent roaster, continually impressing with each episode.

Can you share your favourite moment?

I am often a target for some of the jokes myself and catch a few strays while sitting in the audience - it’s all in good fun, though! One of the highlights for me is always when the person being roasted plays along, takes it on the chin, and then comes back with some fire of their own. Kabi Wa Jesus, for example, was an absolute standout. The comedians really went hard on him, but he handled it with such grace, and his comebacks were something else. It made for some truly entertaining moments.