Chris Rock is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry for his exceptional skills as a comedian. He first gained widespread recognition after his performance on Saturday Night Live. However, the 58-year-old’s recent stand-up special on Netflix, titled Selective Outrage, has sparked controversy due to his comments regarding Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.
American Actor, Chris Rock
The controversy begins with the incident at the 2022 Academy Awards, where Rock made a joke about Jada Smith’s shaved head, which was due to her struggles with alopecia. In response to this joke, Smith slapped the comedian in front of the whole room (and a worldwide audience).

Chris Rock Teases Will Smith’s Oscars Incident In His Netflix Stand-Up Special

Chris Rock caused quite a stir with his latest Netflix stand-up special, Selective Outrage. The show premiered on March 4, 2023, and featured the stand-up aiming at the actor and his wife. In the special, Rock made sure to deliver a bunch of jabs at Smith, including a joke about watching the actor getting whipped in his latest film, Emancipation.

But the father of two didn’t stop there. He also spoke about Smith’s unorthodox marriage to the 51-year-old and the public scandal surrounding her entanglement with another man. He said.
“We all been cheated on. Everybody in here’s been cheated on. None of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us on television. ‘Hey, I was sucking somebody’s d**k. How did that make you feel?”
Comedian, Chris Rock
He also revealed that he had reached out to the 54-year-old to offer his condolences, but the artist didn’t answer his call. During his set, Chris Rock also referenced the tension between the couple that dates back to the 2016 Oscars, he disclosed.
“She hurt him way more than he hurt me, OK? Everybody in the world called him a b****… They called his wife a predator. And who does he hit? Me. A n**** he knows he can beat it. That is some b**** a** s***.”
The entertainer also joked about the size difference between himself and Smith, who is known for his muscular physique. 

Rock ended his performance with a response to those who criticized him for not retaliating when Smith slapped him during the 2022 Academy Awards. He explained.
” Chris, how come you didn’t do anything back that night?’ Cause I got parents because I was raised, he said to cap the performance. You know what my parents told me? Don’t fight in front of white people.”
Rock’s Selective Outrage special once again showcased his trademark wit and humor, solidifying his status as one of the world’s most successful comedians. The show received accolades from many, including the co-hosts of The View.

The View Co-hosts Shared Their Opinions On Chris Rock’s Netflix Special

The comedian’s latest Netflix stand-up special has been receiving mixed reactions from audiences and critics. However, the co-hosts of the popular daytime talk show, The View, shared their thoughts on the special. During an episode, they discussed Rock’s ability to speak his truth on a $40 million Netflix special.

Co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro praised Rock for his ability to speak his truth and make money from it. Hostin began by saying,
“He responded on a $40 million Netflix special, which I think is brilliant. That was his truth, that’s how he experienced it.”
Chris Rock Shows Titled As Selective Outrage
Navarro then added,
“He’s entitled to say his truth. I’m even happier that he’s making money out of it. I think the timing has everything to do with the Oscars that are next week and the fact that it’s a year from now. I think the show was funny as hell.”
On the other hand, some co-hosts felt that certain topics should have been off-limits. However, Navarro explained that. “He’s a comedian, so we’re not going to agree with everything. But baby, laugh all the way to the bank.” She continued jokingly.
“By the way, he kept her name out of his mouth [during the special]. He called her all sorts of other things, but he didn’t say ‘Jada.”
Whoopi Goldberg, a board of governors member for the Academy, also commended Rock for not being afraid to express his feelings.
“He’s not afraid of saying how he feels. His ability to say what he sees is great and, you know what, this situation is never going to find a really good way to calm down. It’s just not. There’s no justification for what happened.”
Goldberg previously addressed one of the unforgettable nights in Oscar history when the Academy banned Will Smith for 10 years from attending the Oscars and other Academy events. Goldberg theorized that Smith’s behavior was a result of built-up pressure, causing him to snap.

Selective Outrage is available to stream on Netflix.