Chris
Rock 'Never Scared' of Controversy
02-16-05
.
(antiTainment) Comedian Chris Rock is having
a big week. The press is buzzing with news about the outspoken funny man's
dismissive jokes about the upcoming Academy Awards, which he is set to
host.
Rock made headlines this week after an
interview with Entertainment Weekly where he made disparaging jokes about
the Oscar Awards which he likened to a fashion show. "What straight black
man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one," Rock said in the interview
published in the Feb. 4 issue.
Despite his colorful opinion of the Academy
Awards, organizers are standing by their decision to have Rock host the
ceremony on Feb. 27. "Chris' comments over the past few weeks are meant
to be humorous digs at a show that some people, obviously including Chris
himself, think may be a bit too stuffy," producer Cates said in a statement
released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Lost in the press controversy over Rock's
comments is the fact that he has a new comedy album out this week on Geffen
records. The album, his first since 2000, is titled "Never Scared" and
contains material from his HBO comedy concert special of the same name.
On the album Rock addresses another current headline grabber, Michael Jackson,
as well as pokes fun at a variety of other subjects.
Below is the official press release for
the album followed by some clips.
press release) Chris Rock, the man the
New York Times called "the funniest and smartest comedian working today"
is back with "Never Scared," his new Geffen Records CD. Culled from his
HBO comedy concert special of the same name, the new CD features Rock at
his most hilarious, salacious and scandalous. The new album is out February
15.
The new CD Rocks first since his Grammy-winning
"Bigger & Blacker from 2000 not only boasts an hour of flawless
stand-up material, but also a string of comic audio sketches and music
parodies. Even better for Rock fans, a bonus DVD featuring all kinds of
behind-the-scenes footage is also included in the package.
On "Never Scared," the multi-Grammy and
Emmy-award winning comedian lives up to the CD title, taking on sacrosanct
icons from Michael Jackson to George Bush. He also continues his on-going
discourse on men, women, sex and marriage in a hilarious monologue too
racy for print.
Throughout his career, Chris Rock has re-defined
standup comedy with his smart and incisive takes on race, relationships
and society. His "BLACK AMBITION TOUR" ran in 64 cities with over 80 performances.
This month, in what surely will be a telecast for the ages, Rock hosts
the 77th Annual Academy Awards.
His feature film credits include HEAD OF
STATE (his directorial debut), BAD COMPANY, DOWN TO EARTH, DOGMA, NURSE
BETTY, LETHAL WEAPON 4 and DR. DOLITTLE. He recently completed production
on two films: THE LONGEST YARD with Adam Sandler, and the animated feature
MADAGASCAR.
His HBO special "Bigger & Blacker,"
was taped at Harlems Apollo Theatre. From this came a 2000 Grammy
Award for Best Spoken or Comedy Album. Rocks HBO special, "Bring The Pain"
followed his 1994 CableAce Award-winning HBO special "CR BIG ASS JOKES."
The special was honored with two 1997 Emmy Awards for Best Writing and
Outstanding Special.
"Bring the Pain" has seen life beyond HBO.
DreamWorks Records released a home video (with additional footage) as well
as a Grammy Award-winning CD.
"The Chris Rock Show" on HBO received an
Emmy Award for Best Writing, and will return for another season later this
year. Rocks debut book, Rock This, (Hyperion, 1997) spent time on both
the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
Chris Rock grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant
neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He had two idols: boxer Sugar Ray Leonard
and comedian Eddie Murphy. He realized early in life the career for
which he was headed. Says Rock, "I cant fight, so..." Honing
his comedic skills on the comedy club circuit, he soon realized a long-held
dream when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1989 for a three-year
tenure. And today, all these years later Chris Rock is, as Vanity Fair
described him, "the funniest man in America."
Clips from "Never Scared" (for mature listeners
only).
Michael
Jackson
Real
People of Ignorance (Rap Star)
Real
People of Ignorance (Tattoo)
Purchase
Chris Rock's CDs
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