Slap chat? Chris Rock live Netflix special to air week before Oscars
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A billboard advertises the Netflix’s Chris Rock: Selective Outrage live comedy event special along Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles on Feb 28.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – Chris Rock’s live Netflix special will air a week before the Oscars, the streamer said on Tuesday, raising expectations that the American comedian will address the shocking moment he was slapped by actor Will Smith during last year’s Hollywood award show.
On Saturday evening (11am Sunday Singapore time), Chris Rock: Selective Outrage will become the first event shown in real time on Netflix, accompanied by pre- and post-show entertainment featuring celebrities ranging from Jerry Seinfeld and Amy Schumer to Sir Paul McCartney and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Netflix did not comment on the material of Rock’s main show, but the comic has spent much of the last year touring stand-up venues around the world with a routine that has included jokes about “The Slap”.
Last March, Smith, 54, climbed onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock, 58, across the face
Rock was asked by Los Angeles police at the time whether he wanted to file a report against Smith, but he declined and has not publicly addressed the incident outside of his stand-up shows.
“March 4 will be a hilarious evening, with an incredible set from Chris Rock – one of the greatest stand-ups of all-time – and contributions from an amazing line-p of special guests,” said Netflix comedy vice-president Robbie Praw.
“Our goal is to deliver the best stand-up comedy to our members and this live-streaming event further reinforces all the ways we continue to invest in the genre.”
Netflix, the world’s leading streaming platform, has lured millions of viewers away from traditional broadcast television, but lost subscribers for the first time in 2022.
The company, which has since returned to growth, has been experimenting with new models, including live content.
The streaming company already hosts a live comedy festival at more than 35 venues in Los Angeles, though those shows have not yet been available in real time on its platform.
From 2024, Netflix will air the Screen Actors Guild Awards – an important pre-Oscars Hollywood awards show – live on its platform.
According to multiple reports, the company is also looking into offering live sport on its platform.
Rivals including Disney+ and Amazon’s Prime Video already offer live events including sports and musical events.
US actor Will Smith (right) slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage during the 94th Oscars at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022.
PHOTO: AFP
Saturday’s comedy show will be Rock’s second for Netflix, after the pre-recorded Chris Rock: Tamborine (2018).
The 95th Academy Awards take place this year on March 12. AFP
