Chris Rock’s “Selective Outrage” Stand-up Special: A Comedy Counterpunch to Academy Awards Infamy
A Year After the Slap, Chris Rock Gives His Rebuttal
By JAKE COYLE
A year after Will Smith smacked him on the Academy Awards stage, Chris Rock finally gave his rebuttal in a forceful stand-up special, streamed live on Netflix, in which the comedian bragged that he “took that hit like Pacquiao.”
The 58-year-old comedian on Saturday night performed his first stand-up special since last year’s Oscars in a much-awaited sequel that had all the hype — and more — of a Manny Pacquaio prizefight. “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage,” streamed live from the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, marked Netflix’s first foray into live streaming. But it was also a long-awaited comedy counterpunch to Academy Awards infamy.
The Special
Rock, performing in all white and with a Prince medallion around his neck, immediately touched on last year’s Oscars while riffing on “wokeness,” hypersensitivity and what he called “selective outrage.”
“You never know who might get triggered,” said Rock. “Anybody who says words hurt hasn’t been punched in the face.”
But Rock then launched into a series of wide-ranging topics examining contemporary issues, including virtue signaling, high-priced yoga pants, the Duchess of Sussex, the Kardashians, abortion rights, the Capitol riot and what he called America’s biggest addiction: Attention.
The Slap and Beyond
While Smith has apologized and repeatedly spoken about the incident since last March, Rock has avoided all the usual platforms where celebrities often go to air their feelings. He never sat down with Oprah Winfrey, and turned away the many media outlets that would have loved to land an exclusive in-depth interview.
“I’m a not a victim, baby,” said Rock. “You will never see me on Oprah or Gayle crying. You will never see it. Never going to happen.”
The Impact of the Slap
At the annual luncheon for nominees held last month, motion picture academy president Janet Yang voiced regret about how the incident was handled, calling the academy’s response “inadequate.” Bill Kramer, the academy’s chief executive, has said the academy has since instituted a crisis communications team to prepare for and more rapidly respond to the unexpected.
Conclusion
Chris Rock’s “Selective Outrage” stand-up special is a must-see for anyone who’s been following the drama surrounding the Academy Awards. With his sharp wit and quick wit, Rock takes aim at a wide range of targets, from wokeness to attention addiction. But at its core, the special is about Rock’s experience being smacked by Will Smith, and how he’s processed and responded to it. If you missed the special live, don’t worry – you can still stream it on Netflix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is “Selective Outrage” a response to the Oscars incident?
A: Yes, Chris Rock’s stand-up special addresses the incident and its aftermath, but it’s not just about the slap.
Q: Can I stream “Selective Outrage” on Netflix?
A: Yes, the special is available to stream on Netflix.
Q: Is this the first live special on Netflix?
A: Yes, “Chris Rock: Selective Outrage” is Netflix’s first-ever live, global streaming event.
Q: Can I purchase a ticket to see “Selective Outrage” live?
A: No, the special was a live stream event, but you can still watch it on Netflix.