I watched the special live and thought most of it was really great. I do have to say, though, that aside from his daughters, Chris seems to have a real problem with women. His accounts of them as money grubbing lame and incompetent perpetually broke and shallow creatures did not sit well. It’s as if he couldn’t imagine women whose power comes just as much from their intellect and accomplishments as from their beauty. Despite his stated desire not to offend anyone, I thought that whole thread was deeply insulting. This also made me think more about the fact that he seemed to project more of his ire on Will Smith’s wife, than the man who actually assaulted him.
I found this Chris Rock Netflix Special self-indulgent, petty, and of no benefit to either heal wounds or edify the Black community as a whole. To my mind, Netflix and Chris Rock's bank account are perhaps the only winners here.
I watched Chris Rock because he’s smart and funny. I should say Was smart and funny. I think I laughed once and cringed a dozen times. His take on women is a misogynists dream. His rant about killing babies wasn’t funny or trenchant. I’m surprised you liked it. I came here hoping to hear you analyze what really occurred and you didn’t rise above fan. You’re response was disappointing and not the thoughtful column I’ve come to respect you for.
I looked forward to hoping you wouldn’t just give him compliments and a pass, for example, on the ugly sexism? He gotta go to P—sy and a-s l-kn? Really, like this is a mature man I’m watching? Weary dead humor on Meghan Markle and the Kardashians. His take on Jada as “starting the whole thing” by asking him not to host the Oscars, well: he found that so offensive? Really? Maybe she just felt he could point out as an activist how White they were by not hosting. He seems to think a couple who honestly discusses the difficulties in marriage on TV is somehow fodder for him to run down every detail in case any one missed them. He took no accountability for commenting on her body at the Oscars. His comments on abortion were off the rails. No dynamics: he basically shouted his way through the show. He said he didn’t fight back because he was raised not to in front of white people then trashed a Black Man and his wife on national TV in a pathetic low cheap revenge rant. I’d say that’s as cowardly as Smith slapping someone smaller. And gettin’ paid millions for it. O, my. Will Smith did a Bad, Bad, Thing, yes. But Rock didn’t step on no high road. I have liked and admired Chris Rock. I expected much more from him. MUCH MORE. And I thought you would be more nuanced in your critique. At least within yourself. I hope.
I liked chris rock until I saw the Netflix special it was so bad that it was unfunny
His audience was mostly people that ostensibly would relate to him but they didn’t . The audience’s reaction was perplexed and muted.
You would think there would be sustained laughter but no any bit of laughter was staccato and fleeting he laughed at his own jokes more than did the poor spectators. ( probably a good proportion were working class)They probably paid good money to see his anemic performance. One thing he made sure was that he let them know that he’s a millionaire. The unease of the audience was palpable. I felt sorry for them. I even felt sorry for Mr Rock the biggest laugh he garnered was his own.
What a difference between him and Dave Chapelle and Colin Quinn Whose routines are cerebral , complex and hilarious.
Thank you for this; I thought Chris was outrageous and hysterical. I honestly do not understand the backlash. Powerful, talented, perfect response to that slap. Chris nailed it.
Chris’ “OUTRAGE” show had many funny jokes and thought-producing bits; however, “seeking attention by becoming a school shooter and killing babies” were in-artfully done/worded. One was almost suggestive, while the other took a while to hit the mark of problematic kids, whereby you want to “take them out.” Didn’t like the entire piece on Meghan Markle--wasn’t funny at all! He hit her harder than he did Will Smith.
I happened to watch Selective Outrage last night. I'm a big Chris Rock fan, but thought the performance was pretty uneven. Picking on Lululemon and making Kardashian jokes seemed below Rock's writing/observation abilities (he's such a talented writer). However, the last bit about Smith really was riveting. Rock seemed so very -- and justifiably -- angry, his points were so valid, and his mic drop comment -- "I have parents..." -- kind of pinned me to my seat. I watched "Tambourine" as a follow-up, which I encourage others to do. It's a tighter performance, at least as raw and insightful, and made me laugh harder.
Great show, and not just because he can say things I have wanted to say for the past year+. Hell yeah there is a lot of anger there, our country is choking on anger. Chris Rock didn't pander to the audience, he just got down to the bone and addressed issues. Words hurt...if you write 'em on a brick. And the last comment of the whole show is what I immediately thought when I heard about the slap. Why the hell did Will Smith do that in front of an auditorium filled with white people?!?!
Thanks for this writing Mr Kareem. I did watch and i now have a new found appreciation and respect for Mr Rock. This was /is a difficult topic but for me he clarified the hype and the reality. I was so happy to see you in the after show to bring legit vibes to the comments not just the joking around which most , not all don’t know how to turn off and just talk. But you were there and that provided the anchor i needed to take it seriously🙏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😇
I watched it before I got this email. I'm glad I did. I did have a few lol moments during his routine, but I agree with some of the others here that much of it just wasn't that funny...and the vulgarity just doesn't resonate with me as funny when it's so ubiquitous! But hey, I'm definitely not outraged by his performance... selectively or otherwise!
I don’t have the time to watch—nor the money to spend on—every subscription channel, so all I might ever know about Chris Rock’s new Netflix special is what I read. He’s great and it sounds like most of this latest show is, too.
However, I would not enjoy seeing a good man—Will Smith (there, I said it)—being utterly abandoned by everyone for what was obviously a huge mistake made in the heat of emotion over what I’m sure was a surprising and frankly questionable joke a year ago. I mean really, is there anybody out there who actually thought that joke was funny? I never watch award shows, but the replays I saw made me cringe…not once, but twice. I suppose I just have poor taste.
Mr. Rock had famously kept mostly silent about it for a year. I was hoping it was to find a way in his heart to forgive. Instead, it seems it just took him that whole year to figure out how best to work it into his act and dig a deeper hole for his former friend. I think it’s sad. I think he could do better.
Kareem it really bums me out to see you defending these rich guys who use their huge platforms to complain about their friends getting cancelled for being bigots.
Are you going to start defending Chappelle and Rogan next?
Having read the comments and critiques above, I'm taking a pass on Chris's Selective Outrage. Had he and Netflix donated 100% of the proceeds to victims of violence and racism and hate crimes, this might change my mind but probably not. I did laugh hard this weekend with my beloved and we didn't need to pay Chris and a subscription channel for the experience.
Kareem -- I'm still paying you even though through by your own self admission, you aren't funny. But your funny videos are soooooo hilarious.
I watched the special live and thought most of it was really great. I do have to say, though, that aside from his daughters, Chris seems to have a real problem with women. His accounts of them as money grubbing lame and incompetent perpetually broke and shallow creatures did not sit well. It’s as if he couldn’t imagine women whose power comes just as much from their intellect and accomplishments as from their beauty. Despite his stated desire not to offend anyone, I thought that whole thread was deeply insulting. This also made me think more about the fact that he seemed to project more of his ire on Will Smith’s wife, than the man who actually assaulted him.
I found this Chris Rock Netflix Special self-indulgent, petty, and of no benefit to either heal wounds or edify the Black community as a whole. To my mind, Netflix and Chris Rock's bank account are perhaps the only winners here.
I watched Chris Rock because he’s smart and funny. I should say Was smart and funny. I think I laughed once and cringed a dozen times. His take on women is a misogynists dream. His rant about killing babies wasn’t funny or trenchant. I’m surprised you liked it. I came here hoping to hear you analyze what really occurred and you didn’t rise above fan. You’re response was disappointing and not the thoughtful column I’ve come to respect you for.
I looked forward to hoping you wouldn’t just give him compliments and a pass, for example, on the ugly sexism? He gotta go to P—sy and a-s l-kn? Really, like this is a mature man I’m watching? Weary dead humor on Meghan Markle and the Kardashians. His take on Jada as “starting the whole thing” by asking him not to host the Oscars, well: he found that so offensive? Really? Maybe she just felt he could point out as an activist how White they were by not hosting. He seems to think a couple who honestly discusses the difficulties in marriage on TV is somehow fodder for him to run down every detail in case any one missed them. He took no accountability for commenting on her body at the Oscars. His comments on abortion were off the rails. No dynamics: he basically shouted his way through the show. He said he didn’t fight back because he was raised not to in front of white people then trashed a Black Man and his wife on national TV in a pathetic low cheap revenge rant. I’d say that’s as cowardly as Smith slapping someone smaller. And gettin’ paid millions for it. O, my. Will Smith did a Bad, Bad, Thing, yes. But Rock didn’t step on no high road. I have liked and admired Chris Rock. I expected much more from him. MUCH MORE. And I thought you would be more nuanced in your critique. At least within yourself. I hope.
I think that slap knocked the funny out of him
I liked chris rock until I saw the Netflix special it was so bad that it was unfunny
His audience was mostly people that ostensibly would relate to him but they didn’t . The audience’s reaction was perplexed and muted.
You would think there would be sustained laughter but no any bit of laughter was staccato and fleeting he laughed at his own jokes more than did the poor spectators. ( probably a good proportion were working class)They probably paid good money to see his anemic performance. One thing he made sure was that he let them know that he’s a millionaire. The unease of the audience was palpable. I felt sorry for them. I even felt sorry for Mr Rock the biggest laugh he garnered was his own.
What a difference between him and Dave Chapelle and Colin Quinn Whose routines are cerebral , complex and hilarious.
Whereas rocks was barely sophomoric
The program was hysterical. Your comment about smugness was spot on. Your insight is much appreciated.
Thank you for this; I thought Chris was outrageous and hysterical. I honestly do not understand the backlash. Powerful, talented, perfect response to that slap. Chris nailed it.
Thank you Kareem. That was wonderful. Your support & willingness to always speak the truth is so refreshing. Wish more people would do the same.
Chris’ “OUTRAGE” show had many funny jokes and thought-producing bits; however, “seeking attention by becoming a school shooter and killing babies” were in-artfully done/worded. One was almost suggestive, while the other took a while to hit the mark of problematic kids, whereby you want to “take them out.” Didn’t like the entire piece on Meghan Markle--wasn’t funny at all! He hit her harder than he did Will Smith.
I happened to watch Selective Outrage last night. I'm a big Chris Rock fan, but thought the performance was pretty uneven. Picking on Lululemon and making Kardashian jokes seemed below Rock's writing/observation abilities (he's such a talented writer). However, the last bit about Smith really was riveting. Rock seemed so very -- and justifiably -- angry, his points were so valid, and his mic drop comment -- "I have parents..." -- kind of pinned me to my seat. I watched "Tambourine" as a follow-up, which I encourage others to do. It's a tighter performance, at least as raw and insightful, and made me laugh harder.
Great show, and not just because he can say things I have wanted to say for the past year+. Hell yeah there is a lot of anger there, our country is choking on anger. Chris Rock didn't pander to the audience, he just got down to the bone and addressed issues. Words hurt...if you write 'em on a brick. And the last comment of the whole show is what I immediately thought when I heard about the slap. Why the hell did Will Smith do that in front of an auditorium filled with white people?!?!
Thanks for this writing Mr Kareem. I did watch and i now have a new found appreciation and respect for Mr Rock. This was /is a difficult topic but for me he clarified the hype and the reality. I was so happy to see you in the after show to bring legit vibes to the comments not just the joking around which most , not all don’t know how to turn off and just talk. But you were there and that provided the anchor i needed to take it seriously🙏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😇
I watched it before I got this email. I'm glad I did. I did have a few lol moments during his routine, but I agree with some of the others here that much of it just wasn't that funny...and the vulgarity just doesn't resonate with me as funny when it's so ubiquitous! But hey, I'm definitely not outraged by his performance... selectively or otherwise!
I don’t have the time to watch—nor the money to spend on—every subscription channel, so all I might ever know about Chris Rock’s new Netflix special is what I read. He’s great and it sounds like most of this latest show is, too.
However, I would not enjoy seeing a good man—Will Smith (there, I said it)—being utterly abandoned by everyone for what was obviously a huge mistake made in the heat of emotion over what I’m sure was a surprising and frankly questionable joke a year ago. I mean really, is there anybody out there who actually thought that joke was funny? I never watch award shows, but the replays I saw made me cringe…not once, but twice. I suppose I just have poor taste.
Mr. Rock had famously kept mostly silent about it for a year. I was hoping it was to find a way in his heart to forgive. Instead, it seems it just took him that whole year to figure out how best to work it into his act and dig a deeper hole for his former friend. I think it’s sad. I think he could do better.
Kareem it really bums me out to see you defending these rich guys who use their huge platforms to complain about their friends getting cancelled for being bigots.
Are you going to start defending Chappelle and Rogan next?
Having read the comments and critiques above, I'm taking a pass on Chris's Selective Outrage. Had he and Netflix donated 100% of the proceeds to victims of violence and racism and hate crimes, this might change my mind but probably not. I did laugh hard this weekend with my beloved and we didn't need to pay Chris and a subscription channel for the experience.
Kareem -- I'm still paying you even though through by your own self admission, you aren't funny. But your funny videos are soooooo hilarious.
".