Hostess Brands Takes the Cake with an Evening of Snack Cake-Based Humor – Joel McHale MC’ed

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Former SNL cast member Jon Rudnitsky Beat out Five Comedians to win the Hostess® Roast, Taking Home $10,000

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On Tuesday evening, Hostess Brands, LLC celebrated its 100th birthday – or SweetennialTM – at the Laugh Factory with the help of Joel McHale and six other comedians at the Hostess® Roast, an irreverent and entertaining send-up of the company and its iconic mascot, Twinkie the Kid®. McHale served as Hostess Roast master of ceremonies, as the six comedians competed for the coveted $10,000 prize.

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Joel McHale, who served as master of ceremonies at the Hostess Roast, goes in for a high-five with Twinkie the Kid. As part of Hostess’s 100th birthday, comedians Erica Rhodes, Johnny Sanchez, Harland Williams, Finesse Mitchell, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Jon Rudnitsky competed for a $10,000 prize in front of an audience of fans who gathered at the Laugh Factory on June 25th.

Joel McHale, who served as master of ceremonies at the Hostess Roast, goes in for a high-five with Twinkie the Kid. As part of Hostess’s 100th birthday, comedians Erica Rhodes, Johnny Sanchez, Harland Williams, Finesse Mitchell, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Jon Rudnitsky competed for a $10,000 prize in front of an audience of fans who gathered at the Laugh Factory on June 25th.

The evening – which was filled with laughter instead of Hostess’ usual crème – pitted comedians Mary Lynn Rajskub, Harland Williams, Finesse Mitchell, Johnny Sanchez, Erica Rhodes and Jon Rudnitsky against one another to see who could roast Hostess more thoroughly than a deep fryer at a county fair. Rudnitsky proved victorious, earning roaring applause, and the prize -- presented to him by McHale and Twinkie the Kid himself.

“Throughout Hostess’ 100 years, it has become much more than just a company, permeating pop culture and transcending generations. And as siblings and friends across America know, there is no better way to show affection than with mockery,” said Chad Lusk, Chief Marketing Officer at Hostess Brands, LLC. “Joel, Jon and rest of the comedians served us with some Zingers of their own, and we are so grateful they turned their immeasurable comedic talents on us. It was truly an unforgettable evening.”

“Not long ago, I performed at the White House Correspondents dinner, so I went from entertaining the nation’s first black president to telling jokes in front of a giant foam Twinkie wearing a cowboy hat, so yes… I have arrived,” joked Joel McHale. “People love snack cake-based comedy – I never knew before tonight. I can’t wait to tell my kids I shared the stage with an enormous snack cake mascot.”

The Hostess Roast also capped off Hostess’ months long Sweetennial Tour, which saw the TwinkiemobileTM – an airstream decked out to resemble the famous treat – visit towns and cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, Austin, Bentonville, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Spark Alliance Marketing served as the agency that worked with Hostess on the concept and execution of the promotion.

For more information about Hostess® products and Hostess Brands, LLC, please visit hostesscakes.com. Follow Hostess on Twitter: @Hostess_Snacks; on Facebook: facebook.com/Hostess; and on Instagram: Hostess_Snacks.

Marie Espinel, Katie Lewis or Hannah Arnold
LAK Public Relations, Inc.
212-575-4545
mespinel@lakpr.com, klewis@lakpr.com or harnold@lakpr.com

Source: Hostess Brands, LLC

Released June 28, 2019