Netflix just made comedian Chris Rock an offer he couldn’t refuse. With the promise of $40 million for two brand new comedy specials (yes, that’s $20 million a pop), Rock has made history and become the highest paid stand-up comic. This is also the first time in eight years Rock has agreed to a gig like this. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the first show will be taped in 2017, following a new world tour that is reportedly in the works.
“Chris Rock is a beloved actor and director, and his remarkable stand up makes him comic royalty,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “There is no one like him, and Netflix offers the global platform and creative freedom that will serve as a perfect home for someone with his incredible talent.”
Netflix has made a push for original comedy specials, winning an Emmy for the Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping special.
Rock has come a long way since begging for one rib in 1988’s I’m Gonna Git You Sucka or playing lovable crack head Pookie in 1991’s classic film New Jack City.
The two specials mark a triumphant return to the stage for Rock, who most recently hosted the 88th Annual Academy Awards, directed the Amy Schumer special, guest-starred on Fox’s Empire, and performed alongside John Mayer, Aziz Ansari and Dave Chappelle after the Roots Picnic in New York City, which was held October 1 and 2.
In the past, Netflix has also hosted stand-up performances by notable acts such as Cedric the Entertainer, Iliza Shlesinger, Ali Wong, Mike Epps, Aziz Ansari, Anjelah Johnson, Chris Tucker, Chelsea Handler, and David Cross, among others. Joe Rogan, Dana Carvey, Michael Che, Gabriel Iglesias, Reggie Watts, and Colin Quinn are on the schedule, as well.
Check out some of Rock’s standup below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_j8FcE1D5s
Always happy to see black people get paid but wth Netflix is spending uneccessary amounts of money. They spent to much on The Get Down even though I’m a fan of the show the budget was way too much. If I’m Kevin Hart and I’m seeing this I put all those 12 movies I am working on this year lol and go do a deal with Netflix if Rock is getting 40 mill Kevin would command somewhere in the 100 millions IMO
Unnecessary? How do you figure? Kevin hart for all of his prowess ain’t on rocks level…rock is a global star on a higher level at the moment. Netflix is on another level with there business model.You can’t compare how they make money to any other model except amazon….
Are you serious?? Hart is the hottest comedian right now the #1 guy Chris Rock aint even top 10 it hasn’t been top 10 in years. Chris Rock can’t carry a movie by himself Kevin Hart is a guaranteed Box office Hit right now. Like only black people found bernie mac funny, only white people find Seinfield funny, only white people find Chris Rock funny, Kevin Hart is rare, similar to Eddie Murphy both black and white audiences love him. Rock is a global star go look at the last movie he starred in as the main star and look at the numbers, and then go compare it to kevin Harts last 6 or 7 movies there is no comparison. Kevin Hart can retired today and his work and career would still be better than Rock’s
why would he do that when he put up the money himself for his what now tour and going to see damn near every penny.. netflix is going to get a piece of every ticket sold while chris is on tour plus whatever they get from people using netflix
Chris Rock hasnt been funny since Never Scared.