Chris Rock showcases ‘Selective Outage’ in new Netflix special

BY NICHOLAS MICHELSEN Entertainment Editor

On March 4, Chris Rock dropped his latest onehour special with Netflix, “Selective Outrage.”

The star comedian steps onto the stage dressed in a pristine white outfit with his sleeves rolled up, slick but casual-cool, and up to the microphone with the ferocity of a hell-fire southern preacher.

With the energy and hunger of his younger self, Rock taps into his youthful rage, the Chris we knew from 27 years ago. I’m talking about peak-Rock in his prime at the release of ‘Bring Da Pain’ in 1996. Rock lampoons mod ern culture and young people while pointing out the absurdities of an attention-seeking society.

With heavy undertones of social commentary, Rock calls out hypocrisy in the current social zeit geist.

In his new special, Rock is opinionated, stubborn, raw, a bit offen sive and unapologetic.

Love or hate this ap proach, the best art in his tory has always been thought provoking.

A societal mirror.

If you are willing to listen to someone you may very well disagree with, I think you may just see the writ er’s brilliance in the use of metaphors, and the hilarity within the absurdist performance itself.

Chris Rock brings material that appears to be well thought-out, well-written and carefully executed. From the U.S. involvement with Ukraine, the polarization of both Republican and the Democratic parties and being a father of girls, Rock’s thoughts and ideas pour into his act.

“Ukraine is united and America is divided,” Rock stated in his banter before concluding his point.

“If the Russians came here right now, half of the country would go; ‘Let’s hear ‘em out’,” said Rock, followed by laughter.

Finally toward the end, near the last nine minutes, cheated on. Everybody in here; been cheated on. None of us have ever been interviewed by the person that cheated on us, on television! None of us!” Rock exclaimed before executing a hilarious punchline to drive home his point.

Comedy is subjective, so it will not be for everyone. Whether you take offense to some of the premises, his commentary, or genuinely don’t have the same sense of humor, I still believe “Selective Outrage” was a successful performance by a master craftsman.

Love him or hate him, his talent and skill as an entertainer shines through his bright pearly smile and his fresh white-fit.

The polar opposite of his black attire worn in ‘96, it feels like nothing was unintentional and here we have come full circle.

“Opioids are not the biggest addiction in America. No. Not even close, man. The biggest addiction in America is attention.” — Chris Rock, ‘Selective Outrage’, Netflix (2023).