AceShowbiz - In a climate charged with celebrity legal tussles and social media storms, a joke by Hannah Berner in the latest Netflix special has become the center of a heated debate. Berner's jest, targeting Blake Lively, arrives at a tumultuous time for the actress embroiled in a significant legal battle.

"Summer House" alum Hannah Berner took the stage in "Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year", where she quipped, "The word c*** was trending this year. I don't think Blake Lively was that bad."

While likely intended as a piece of harmless stand-up comedy, the joke has been viewed through the lens of Lively's ongoing legal battle with "It Ends With Us" director Justin Baldoni.

During the press tour of their movie, numerous old interviews featuring Lively resurfaced on the internet, painting her in the negative light. She initially kept mum until recently when she launched a legal action against her co-star, blaming him for the negative rep she's gained recently.

Blake Lively, 37, has brought forth serious allegations against Baldoni, including claims of harassment and an orchestrated effort to tarnish her reputation. According to Lively, Baldoni's misconduct rendered the filming environment hostile and emotionally distressing. These allegations, Lively argues, are part of a broader campaign by Baldoni to "destroy" her professionally and personally.

As recounted in various media outlets, including a statement from Lively's camp, she described the toxic atmosphere on set and the alleged plotting by Baldoni's PR team to manipulate public perception against her.

"The Baldoni-Wayfarer team would then feed pieces of this manufactured content to unwitting reporters, making content go viral in order to influence public opinion and thereby cause an organic pile-on," the complaint reads.

Baldoni, represented by attorney Bryan Freedman, has categorically denied these allegations, countering that Lively's legal action is a desperate attempt to salvage her own "negative reputation" garnered from her own actions during the film's promotional campaign. Freedman characterized the complaint as "completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious."

Despite Freedman's assertions, many industry insiders and colleagues have shown solidarity with Lively. Actress Jenny Slate, author Colleen Hoover, and other "It Ends With Us" cast members have publicly expressed their support for Lively, applauding her courage to stand against the alleged injustice.

The timing of Berner's joke, recorded before Lively's legal filing but airing just days after, has sparked discussion about the intersection of comedy and sensitive social issues. A Netflix representative remained silent on whether there was any consideration to edit or remove the joke in light of the unfolding legal drama.

As the situation continues to develop, it underscores the complexity of navigating public personas and private legal battles in the digital age. For now, audiences and observers remain divided, awaiting more revelations in this high-profile clash.