'Chris Rock: Selective Outrage' Review: Netflix's first live show has comedian in his 'Samurai mode'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Netflix has created a phenomenal platform with its high-end content and a vast choice for its users between a great mass of movies and TV shows from around the world. The platform is known for its inclusivity with its projects, and now there is something else that will be added to Netflix's kitty. The global streaming platform has broken another intangible record by trying its hand at live-streaming a comedy special. Chris Rock's comedy special, 'Selective Outrage', sets an important precedent for Netflix. The show is divided into three parts, with many comedians taking parts talking in about the legendary comedian Chris Rock and his great wisdom that has been passed around as motivation for some.
'Chris Rock: Selective Outrage' features the HBO comedy special 'Bigger & Blacker' comic Chris Rock with Leslie Jones, Ronny Chieng, Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler, David Spade, and many other known stand-up comedians.
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‘I’m not a victim’: Chris Rock talks about Will Smith’s Oscars slap during stand-up show
'Chris Rock is in Samurai mode'
The comedy special took place in Baltimore, where, in front of a big crowd, Chris Rock featured wearing all white and a Prince symbol medallion necklace, standing in front of a background that resembled cracked mirrors, hinting to a popular metaphor, "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones", that is open to a wide range of speculations. Chris Rock looked energized as Leslie Jones said in the special's intro, "Chris Rock is in Samurai mode." After a particularly big break since the imfamous Oscars shenanigans between Rock and Smith, that invited a cold war with many speculations, as it does in the world of media. Chris Rock looked like he knew what all to say and when to say it. Known for his great comic timing and even greater jokes, Rock started out with “I’m going to try to do a show tonight without offending nobody. I’m going to try my best, because you never know who might get triggered,” Rock said as he opened his set from Baltimore. “People always say words hurt … anybody who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”
Although we all thought that Chris Rock's new special would be all about Will Smith, it isn't. But, there are many parts that have been talked about with making it too obvious about who it is about. From "woke culture" to racism and corporate companies selling expensive products by labeling them as part of a charity program, Chris covered every corner of the foundation of America. The comedy special tackled many things that are wrong with America and many things that are downright hilarious, like the Kardashians' dating history and Meghan Markle's outrage on the Oprah Winfrey show. Rock hit on several topical issues, including addiction, abortion, and racism in America. Rock also pointed out the fact that women are important for men and how a lack of one teaches them many things about life. Rock delved into his romantic life, saying that when he realized his pillow cases were dirty, he realized how much women do for men.
Don’t hate the player, hate the game
Rock went on to talk about how he has evolved from a person who used to go to Disneyland with his church group to someone who took his daughters to the amusement park, but with special privileges. The comic talked about his daughters and their childhoods, while also sharing some stories about sending his daughters to the best school in the world. The comic talked about many things, but ended the special by answering the many questions that the audience might have had about the whole Chris Rock and Will Smith situation. When Rock confronted the slap head on, however, he pulled no punches, repeatedly calling Smith a "bitch," in contrast with his own reaction: I’m not a victim, baby. You’ll never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying... I took that hit like Pacquiao.
All in all, 'Chris Rock: Selective Outrage' should be on your watchlist, as it is now live-streaming exclusively on Netflix.