For a while, Netflix was the only major streaming game in town, but they’ve seen some major competition in recent years. In order to stay competitive, Netflix is looking to break into streaming live programming, and its first attempt will be a Chris Rock comedy special.
Netflix announced that a new comedy special from Chris Rock will stream live in early 2023. “Chris Rock is one of the most iconic and important comedic voices of our generation,” Robbie Praw, Netflix’s vp stand-up and comedy formats, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled the entire world will be able to experience a live Chris Rock comedy event and be a part of Netflix history. This will be an unforgettable moment and we’re so honored that Chris is carrying this torch.” Should the live comedy special be a success, it would pave the way for Netflix is experiment with live reality television and sporting events. It’s a brave new live-streaming world. Chris Rock’s last comedy special for Netflix was Chris Rock: Tamborine in 2018.
Chris Rock has been in the midst of his Ego Death tour, and while he hasn’t spoken too much about the Slap Heard Around the World, he has teased that he will address it on Netflix. “People expect me to talk about the bullshit, I’m not going to talk about it right now, I’ll get to it eventually, on Netflix,” he said.
If you need a refresher about the slap controversy, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s shaved head (due to alopecia) while presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars. Will Smith then charged onto the stage and slapped Rock across the face. Visibly confused, Rock said, “Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me,” as Smith yelled for Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth!” Shortly after, Will Smith won the Best Actor award for King Richard and tried to justify his actions by invoking his character’s intense loyalty to his family.