This fall, Chris Rock will be heading home.The multiple-Emmy Award winning comedian is slated to headline an all new stand up comedy special, titled 'Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger,' which premieres Sept. 27.
The 90-minute special will feature footage from three different performances; at South Africa's Carnival City Casino, New York's legendary Apollo Theatre and the Carling Apollo Hammersmith in London.
"I wanted to do the type of stand-up special that I've never seen before, and the only place that I could see doing that is at HBO," Rock said. "I love HBO because they want to take chances."The Brooklyn-reared funnyman recently set a Guinness World Record on "The No Apologies Tour" by playing to crowds of 15,900 at Greenwich's O2 venue, marking the largest audience for a stand-up comedy performance in British history.
'Time' magazine, which previously anointed Rock "The funniest man in America," also named him one of the "100 Most Influential People In The World" last May.
"Chris Rock is a master of insightful comedy who never fails to engage his audience," noted HBO Original Programming chief Nancy Geller. "He has a unique voice that surpasses mere comedy."
Legendary producer-director Marty Callner is helming the project. His previous HBO credits include comedy specials starring Dane Cook, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams and George Carlin.
"It is certainly a fun challenge doing something radical with an artist of the magnitude and talent of Chris Rock," he observed. "Of course, it shouldn't be a surprise when you blend a brave artist with a brave network."
'Kill The Messenger' follows four of Rock's other HBO specials, including 2004's Emmy Award-nominated 'Never Scared,' 2000's Emmy Award-nominated 'Bigger & Blacker,' the groundbreaking 1996 Emmy Award winning 'Bring the Pain' and 1994's CableACE winner 'Big Ass Jokes.'
The Emmy Award-winning HBO late-night talk show 'The Chris Rock Show' ran for four seasons and garnered critical raves.
Word for Word - July 11, 2008
"I got a letter from a girl who said she was listening to one of my songs and every time I hit a particular high note, the garage door would open or close." -- Mariah Carey encounters some unusual problems with her a five-octave vocal range.
Charley Gallay, Getty Images
"Have I ever been totally and completely intimidated by another person? Yes, my husband's mother." -- Madonna fears Guy Ritchie's mom.
Tony Barson, WireImage.com
"There's brilliant jazz - Miles Davis. And there's brilliant rock - Coldplay. And there's brilliant rap - Jiggaman!" -- Jay-Z, tooting his own horn.
Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images
"I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of him on my chest." -- First-time father Usher is planning to ink a tribute to his seven-month-old baby son Usher Raymond V.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
The 71-year-old actor says, "I've got to suggest his voice and his speech without making a fool of myself." --Morgan Freeman
John Shearer, WireImage.com
"Bug-A-Boo or Bootylicious. I hate 'em." -- Beyonce Knowles isn't a fan of all her Destiny's Child songs.
George Pimentel, WireImage.com
"I've been working out really hard lately 'cause I'm single now and I've gotta look good!" -- Jessica Simpson shapes up to get back into the dating scene.
Chris Farina, WireImage.com
"When I come home from a club, my wish is to have a huge bowl of Frosted Flakes. I only have it once in a blue moon - because I can't have just one bowl." -- Janet Jackson on her late night snacking choice.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com
Comments: (62)
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By: Tamla on 7/23/2008 11:35AM
I am a huge Chris Rock fan and one day I hope that I can see him in person when my health and finances permit. I will literally get on a plane to see one of his concerts because I know he will never come to where I live. I don't have HBO right now, but I will order it soley to see Chris Rock.
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By: Lady L on 7/24/2008 11:31AM
I just saw him perform in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre two weeks ago. He was funny and always right on point. I really enjoyed the show. Can't wait to see the special.
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By: david19082 on 7/24/2008 11:34AM
Chris Rock is typical of black comedian who capitalizes off of using the "N" word against his own race. Most white Americans didn't know he existed until his first HBO special. That's when he famously stated "there are black people and then there are n*gg*rs, we don't like n*gg*rs". Chris rock became an over night hero to white America, the media and ignorant black people after that. White America anointed him "analytical"... "political" and "the funniest man in America" simply by implying it's ok to call some black people n*gg*r because of their negative behavior. I wonder what a Jewish comedian would be called if he referred to Jews as K*ke? Oh I forgot, they dominate the media so they don't have to degrade there people with slurs. We were outraged over Imus, Michael Richards etc but we praise the Chris Rock's, D L Hugley's, Dave Chappell's, assorted rappers, many black film makers and any of the no talent comedians from Def Comedy Jam etc. I don't get it?? Those 2 black buffoons on The View Sherri and Whoopie justifying black people in the media who use it. They forgot to state they have profited off of using the word as comedians getting cheap laughs from by blacks AND WHITE audiences. Unfortunately this goes beyond black entertainers. A few years ago writer John Ridley wrote an Esquire magazine essay "The Manifesto of Ascendancy for the Modern American N*gg*r". This was an example how many blacks seceded in using the "N" word to further their own career ambitions. John Ridley who was a relatively unknown is now a favorite political and social pundit of MSNBC and other cable news outlets. D L Hugley after disrespecting black women on the Tonight Show by agreeing with Imus showed up on conservative cable shows like Glen Beck crying about freedom of speech and how there are more important things to address in the black community. I would agree there are more important things to address in the black community, that's how these clowns like him and Chris Rock go unchecked. Unfortunately we have ineffective leadership. An example is how D L Hugley went on to host the NAACP image awards. Our complaints about racism can't be taken seriously if we are not as equally outraged over blacks in the media who degrade us for profit like Chris Rock and others.
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By: Jay Bee on 7/24/2008 12:13PM
This is directly to David: from your long and winded comment it's obvious that you have a lot to say. Since that's the case, why don't you do it publicly instead of on a web site where not that many people are going to read it. Also, since Chris Rock and other Black comedians upset you so much, don't support them! Support someone else! And what good did YOU just do by insulting Whoopie and Sherri from The View? Calling them "buffoons" is WORSE than someone calling them "nigger" as far as I'm concerned! You're no better than those using the word "nigger"! I'm curous, are you Black?
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By: QUEEN on 7/24/2008 12:56PM
I am ordering HBO just to see Chris.
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By: SS on 7/24/2008 1:59PM
Funny...
So is www.SinlessSex.com
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By: DarkNLovely on 7/24/2008 3:58PM
Chris Rock is one of the few black comedians who has the gift of addressing real-life issues w/an overwhelming sense of truth, like politics and relationships, while also appealing to our sense of humor at the same time.
He's been quoted as saying that as a child he was bullied so much by white kids that he would become physically ill in anticipation of a beat down...which is one of the reasons why he has virtually no fear of the audiences he stands before, be it a studio audience or a major awards program.
He keeps us laughing and thinking...Chris is the man!
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By: DarkNLovely on 7/24/2008 4:13PM
Chris Rock is one of the few black comedians who has the gift of addressing real-life issues w/an overwhelming sense of truth, like politics and relationships, while also appealing to our unique sense of humor at the same time.
He's been quoted as saying that as a child he was bullied so much by white kids in the new neighborhood his family moved to that he would become physically ill in anticipation of a beat down...which is one of the reasons why today he exhibits absolutely no fear of the audiences he stands before, be it in a studio or a major awards facility when it comes to tackling sensitive language or subject matters. These must be the days that he dreamed of as a kid.
He keeps us laughing and thinking...Chris is the man!
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By: Showstyle on 7/24/2008 4:23PM
I definitely will watch the Chris Rock special. He's one of the funniest of all times. Hopefully, he doesn't use the n-word a lot. He says some true stuff especially the difference between wealthy and rich. Also, who was assassinated and who was killed.
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By: kando on 7/24/2008 5:51PM
I whole heartly agree with lady l. about that word nigger, negro, or nigga It is a word some goofy whitey way bay eons ago gave to black people. there is no land call negro as all the other races have, such as england for english, france for french, etc. As a very prideful black man it tears at my soul to hear some blacks demean themselves by using that word nigger and until they show more pride in their heritage, that word will continue to be a burden to the ones that come after us.
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