NYT OPINION: Chris Rock Looks Very Small Right Now
By Roxane Gay
Section: Opinion
Source: New York Times
Published Date: March 11, 2023 at 02:00AM
His rejoinder was set up as a climactic moment at the end of a live Netflix performance of Mr. Rock’s new show “Selective Outrage.” But when he was supposed to deliver one of his fiercest blows, Mr. Rock was apparently still so rattled by the slap incident, he flubbed the joke I imagine he spent a year crafting and perfecting. In a moment, all our anticipatory energy dissipated. Mr. Rock tried to recover, and retold the joke correctly before proudly declaring that the reason he didn’t hit Mr. Smith back was because, “I got parents, and you know what my parents taught me? Don’t fight in front of white people.” And then, he dropped his mic.
In the awkward void of his mistake, I was struck by just how terrible the last joke was: silly and unartful, not at all profound. By the way he strutted offstage, Mr. Rock gave the impression that he nailed the punchline. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
By Roxane Gay
Section: Opinion
Source: New York Times
Published Date: March 11, 2023 at 02:00AM
I’m not sure there was anything he could have done to rise to the occasion given his apparent inability to evolve as a comic.
After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in front of the entire world at the 2022 Oscars, we wondered how Mr. Rock would respond. And then, just over a week before the 2023 Oscars, at a taping for his Netflix special in Baltimore — which happens to be Jada Pinkett Smith’s hometown (a particularly petty choice) — Mr. Rock entered the fray.His rejoinder was set up as a climactic moment at the end of a live Netflix performance of Mr. Rock’s new show “Selective Outrage.” But when he was supposed to deliver one of his fiercest blows, Mr. Rock was apparently still so rattled by the slap incident, he flubbed the joke I imagine he spent a year crafting and perfecting. In a moment, all our anticipatory energy dissipated. Mr. Rock tried to recover, and retold the joke correctly before proudly declaring that the reason he didn’t hit Mr. Smith back was because, “I got parents, and you know what my parents taught me? Don’t fight in front of white people.” And then, he dropped his mic.
In the awkward void of his mistake, I was struck by just how terrible the last joke was: silly and unartful, not at all profound. By the way he strutted offstage, Mr. Rock gave the impression that he nailed the punchline. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
Read more at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/11/opinion/roxane-gay-on-chris-rock-special.html
Bonus videoHow Will Smith Feels About Chris Rock's Comedy Special (Source)
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