Leslie Jones Brings Her Signature Humor to HGTV's 'Roast My Rental'
If you've ever clicked "book now" on a vacation rental that looked like a dream online — only to arrive at something resembling a nightmare — you're not alone. And now, one of America's funniest comedians is doing something about it. Leslie Jones, beloved Saturday Night Live alumna and stand-up powerhouse, is teaming up with renovation expert Jasmine Roth for a brand-new HGTV competition series called "Roast My Rental." The show promises to be equal parts comedy special and home makeover magic, targeting some of the most cringeworthy short-term rental properties across the United States.
Slated to premiere on July 24, 2025, "Roast My Rental" is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about new real estate shows of the year. Whether you're a vacation rental owner, a frequent traveler, or simply a fan of honest home renovation television, this series has something for everyone — including a healthy dose of unfiltered truth-telling that only Leslie Jones can deliver.
What Is 'Roast My Rental' About?
At its core, "Roast My Rental" is a competition series that follows Jones and Roth as they travel to struggling vacation properties across America — homes that have accumulated bad reviews, disappointed guests, and an embarrassing gap between their online listings and real-world reality. The show zeroes in on rental owners who already know their properties are failing and are willing to invite the duo in to call out the problems, fix them, and compete for a shot at redemption.
Jones summed up the premise perfectly in her own words: "Millions of people check into vacation rentals each year, but sometimes what's posted online is not reality. There are rentals with great photos, but the reviews tell a very different story, and I'm gonna find out why."
It's a concept that resonates deeply with modern travelers who have grown increasingly skeptical of overly filtered listing photos and misleading property descriptions. The short-term rental market has exploded in recent years, and with that growth has come a wave of substandard properties that leave guests feeling cheated. "Roast My Rental" aims to hold those properties accountable — loudly, hilariously, and constructively.
Why Leslie Jones Is the Perfect Host for This Show
Few entertainers are better suited to host a show about vacation rental disasters than Leslie Jones. Her comedy has always been rooted in raw, relatable experiences — the kind of moments that make you cringe and laugh at the same time. And as it turns out, her personal history gives her real credibility in this space.
"As a comedian who's been on the road for years, trust me, I've stayed in a lot of rentals and have seen the good, the bad, and the 'oh hell no,'" Jones explained. Having spent countless nights in short-term rentals while touring the country, Jones knows firsthand what guests expect, what they deserve, and what absolutely should never be acceptable.
Her no-holds-barred humor is the engine that will drive the show's entertainment value, but underneath the comedy is a genuine passion for helping rental owners course-correct and create spaces that guests actually want to return to. That combination of laughs and heart is exactly what HGTV audiences have come to love from their favorite renovation programming.
Meet Co-Host Jasmine Roth: The Renovation Expert Behind the Fixes
While Jones brings the roasts, Jasmine Roth brings the renovation expertise. Already a familiar face in the HGTV universe, Roth is known for her creative design instincts, practical renovation skills, and ability to transform even the most hopeless spaces into stunning, functional homes. Her previous HGTV work has earned her a dedicated fanbase that appreciates her thoughtful approach to design.
Together, Jones and Roth form a dynamic duo that balances comedy with craftsmanship. Where Jones identifies the problems with sharp wit and unflinching honesty, Roth steps in with the skills and vision needed to actually solve them. It's a partnership that feels both entertaining and genuinely useful — a rare combination in the world of reality television.
The Vacation Rental Market Problem This Show Addresses
The timing of "Roast My Rental" couldn't be more relevant. The short-term vacation rental industry has grown dramatically over the past decade, with platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo becoming mainstream booking choices for millions of travelers worldwide. However, this rapid growth has also created a market flooded with inconsistent quality, misleading listings, and disappointed guests.
- Travelers increasingly rely on guest reviews to make booking decisions, and a string of negative reviews can effectively kill a rental's profitability.
- Many property owners invest in professional photography that makes spaces appear far more appealing than they are in person.
- Maintenance issues, outdated furnishings, poor cleanliness standards, and misleading amenity descriptions are among the most common guest complaints.
- Rental owners who fail to address these issues quickly risk losing bookings to better-managed competitors.
"Roast My Rental" takes direct aim at all of these pain points. By spotlighting properties that have already earned bad reputations and showing how they can be improved, the series offers a roadmap for rental owners nationwide who are struggling to compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
What Viewers Can Expect from 'Roast My Rental' on HGTV
Audiences tuning in starting July 24 can expect a show that blends the laugh-out-loud energy of a comedy special with the satisfying before-and-after transformation format that has made HGTV a television staple for decades. Each episode will likely feature a property in serious need of help, a candid and often hilarious assessment from Jones, and a renovation-driven rescue led by Roth.
The competition element adds an extra layer of stakes, motivating property owners to engage seriously with the process rather than simply accepting a free makeover. The result should be a show that feels both entertaining and genuinely instructive for anyone currently operating — or considering operating — a short-term vacation rental.
A Fresh Take on Real Estate TV That's Long Overdue
In a television landscape crowded with renovation shows, "Roast My Rental" stands out by bringing something genuinely new to the table: accountability with a sense of humor. Leslie Jones isn't just a celebrity host lending her name to a project — she's a comedian with lived experience in the vacation rental world, and that authenticity will come through on screen.
For HGTV, the series represents a smart evolution of its programming, pairing the network's renovation expertise with a comedian whose voice is perfectly calibrated for the moment. For viewers, it promises to be both a highly entertaining watch and a surprisingly practical guide to what makes a vacation rental truly worth booking.
Mark your calendars: "Roast My Rental" premieres July 24, 2025, on HGTV. Whether you're a property owner looking for inspiration or a traveler who's been burned by a bad booking before, this is one show you won't want to miss.