Chris Rock Returning to Stand Up with World Tour, and Two New Specials

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Huge news, Netflix has announced that Chris Rock is planning to return to stand up, for not one, but two huge hour specials! Rock will tape the two all-new specials to debut on Netflix. The first show will tape in 2017, following a new world tour being planned now.

Rock’s stand up performances represent a bench mark that virtually every comedian working today aspires to meet.  He’s been called the funniest man in America by many, and one of the most influential voices in comedy for decades. It’s been eight years since Rock released his last stand up hour, but after he wrote, directed and starred in the movie “Top Five” about a comedian returning to stand up, there’s been a lot of buzz around the possibility of a Chris Rock Tour and special.

Rock said in a statement that he can’t wait to get back on stage, and this is a huge grab for Netflix which has been dominating the market for stand up specials recently.  Netflix was home to 2016 Emmy-nominated shows from John Mulaney and Patton Oswalt, plus some brilliant hours from Ali Wong, Colin Quinn, Bill Burr, Jim Jefferies, and so many more including upcoming specials from Joe Rogan, Dana Carvey, Michael Che, Gabriel Iglesias, Reggie Watts and Colin Quinn.

“Chris Rock is a beloved actor and director, and his remarkable stand-up makes him comic royalty. 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,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer.

In 2016 Rock has been busy hosting the 2016 88th Annual Academy Awards, directing HBO’s comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” guest-starring on the hit series “Empire” and appearing in the Netflix holiday special “A Very Murray Christmas,” starring Bill Murray. His career includes giant successes in film, and on television both behind and in front of the camera, but nowhere is he more beloved than on the stand up stage.

His feature acting credits include the “Grown Ups” and “Madagascar” franchises, “Head of State,” “Nurse Betty,” “CB4”, “Death at a Funeral,” “I Think I Love My Wife,” “2 Days in New York,” “Dogma” and “New Jack City.”His television work includes hosting, writing and executive producing The Chris Rock Show. He served as executive producer, writer and narrator for the series “Everybody Hates Chris,” which ran from 2005 to 2009, and as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1989-1993. Rock has won four Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards and is a New York Times Best-Selling Author. In addition, he received two nominations for the 2016 Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Director for a Variety Special for “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” and Outstanding Special Class Program for the 88 th Annual Academy Awards.

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