Chris Rock on how the Internet HURTS Stand Up (good read!!)

[playahaitian]

​

Q. On July 4 you tweeted: “Happy white peoples independence day the slaves weren’t free but I’m sure they enjoyed fireworks.” Were you surprised at the outrage that stirred up?

A. That’s the kind of joke I would have told on Letterman.

We just live in a world where the audience gets a say now. My actual belief? Only fans should be allowed to criticize. Because it’s for the fans. When I hear somebody go, “Country music [stinks],” I’m like, well, country music’s not for you. You’re just being elitist. Only a fan of Travis Tritt can say the record [stinks], because he’s got every one. Same thing with jokes. ​

You’re a fan of mine, that joke’s not even a single, it’s a B-side that never gets released. It’s no big whoop.

Q. Whether it’s your tweet, or Daniel Tosh joking about rape, or Tracy Morgan saying he’d kill his son if he came out to him, does it seem like the Internet is just adding more fuel to these fires?

A. Are they real fires? Or are people just reacting to something? Just because there’s an alarm going doesn’t mean it’s a fire. And I think that people are confusing the two. It’s only a fire when it offends the fans, and the fans turn on you. Tosh has fans, and they get the joke. If you’ve watched enough Tracy Morgan, you let the worst thing go by.

When did Tracy Morgan become Walter Cronkite? You have to mean something to me to offend me. You can’t break up with me if we don’t date.​

Q. You don’t think some kind of threshold has been crossed?

A. When you’re workshopping it, a lot of stuff is bumpy and awkward. Especially when you’re working on the edge, you’re going to offend. A guy like Tosh, he’s at the Laugh Factory. He’s making no money. He’s essentially in the gym. You’re mad at Ray Leonard because he’s not in shape, in the gym? That’s what the gym’s for. The sad thing, with all this taping and stuff, no one’s going to do stand-up. And every big stand-up I talk to says: “How do I work out new material? Where can you go, if I have a half an idea and then it’s on the Internet next week?” Just look at some of my material. You can’t imagine how rough it was and how unfunny and how sexist or racist it might have seemed.

“Niggas vs. Black People” probably took me six months to get that thing right. You know how racist that thing was a week in? That’s not to be seen by anybody.​

Q. What’s the solution?

A. Honestly, I’m just trying to figure out how I’m going to do it. ’Cause the few times I’ve gotten onstage and thought about touring, immediately, stuff’s on the Internet, I’m getting calls, and I’m like, this isn’t worth it.

I saw “Dark Knight [Rises]” the other night, and Bruce Wayne’s walking into this party, and he presses a button, and no one’s camera works. If I find a comedy club where no one’s camera works, I’ll go.​

I’ll go back to comedy clubs when they get a real no-camera policy, the same way they did with smoking. But hey, they used to be the smokiest places in the world.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/m...k-is-itching-for-dirty-work.html?pagewanted=1

 

[sirwoodz]

- that was dope how bruce wayne cut all those cameras off

 

[Heavenlywings77]

- that was dope how bruce wayne cut all those cameras off

 

[furlough]

good read

 

[el mas chingon]

My wife and I went to see Bill Burr a few months ago in Austin. Bill had to call a motherfucker out midway through who was filming him with a camera tucked between his legs. Bill said the same shit Chris said. It was embarassing. The motherfucker denied camera was on, and all that shit. He shoulda got his ass kicked, then thrown out.

 

[playahaitian]

good read

I STILL feel Chris is unappreciated...

Dude Oscar ran was really on point cause "the Artist" really wasn't that good and comedies should be recognized more...

recently there was a poll on BGOL where they said Kevin Hart was FUNNIER then him

 

[playahaitian]

My wife and I went to see Bill Burr a few months ago in Austin. Bill had to call a motherfucker out midway through who was filming him with a camera tucked between his legs. Bill said the same shit Chris said. It was embarassing. The motherfucker denied camera was on, and all that shit. He shoulda got his ass kicked, then thrown out.

he is funny...

​

 

[cmac105]

He's telling the truth about learning the delivery on material. And why doesn't comedy clubs have a no video policy including phones.

 

[ron_mexico]

The internet and political correctness is killing comedy. You cant make fun of fat people, retarded people, gay people, diffrent races ..well damn wtf are they suppose to do?..

 

[el mas chingon]

he is funny...

Hadn't seen this before!

 

[furlough]

I STILL feel Chris is unappreciated...

Dude Oscar ran was really on point cause "the Artist" really wasn't that good and comedies should be recognized more...

recently there was a poll on BGOL where they said Kevin Hart was FUNNIER then him

his standups are always funnyazhell to me

kats go hard while criticizing his movies but

those sh!ts were so damn silly, that they were funny to me as well

dood has truly come a long way

 

[playahaitian]

his standups are always funnyazhell to me

kats go hard while criticizing his movies but

those sh!ts were so damn silly, that they were funny to me as well

dood has truly come a long way

I been telling the fam, modern AGE?

Who touching Chris Rock Eddie Murphy Louie CK George Lopez Bernie Mack (RIP) George Carlin (RIP) Patrice ONeal (RIP)

 

[Count23]

- that was dope how bruce wayne cut all those cameras off

 

[Man_Of_STeeL]

very insightful brotha..

thanx...

 

[Upgrade Dave]

Very true, Chris.

Clubs need to be serious about cracking down and comedians have to stop apologizing.

 

[3 Times]

I never support criticism of the internet. Sure there are old doors that the internet has closed but as many doors as it has closed it has opened up millions more that were previously inaccessible. You just have to roll with the times and those that are unable to do so will get left behind. This is pure universal evolution. So although Chris has a good point, it does no good to cry about it. Find a way to use the internet to your advantage and if not accept that your time has passed and be grateful for your opportunities you had in the past.

 

[Race Harley]

I don't agree with his complaint about the Internet. He's not the first to be criticized about comments posted or tweeted so he knew what the response would be. He just wanted to make the buzz be about him.

isn't he in a new movie that just came out?

 

[playahaitian]

I don't agree with his complaint about the Internet. He's not the first to be criticized about comments posted or tweeted so he knew what the response would be. He just wanted to make the buzz be about him.

isn't he in a new movie that just came out?

Race the whole article is about MORE then that, I ust took this out because of that shit with Dane Cook recently and I thought he had made some good points...

chris always talks honestly and from a smart place...

promotion or not.

 

[Ryokurin]

He's telling the truth about learning the delivery on material. And why doesn't comedy clubs have a no video policy including phones.

Because most of them are barely making it so they let it slide. It's like movie theaters and phones. Unless you are dealing with a place like the Alamo Drafthouse or Cinebistro where you pay a premium for a better experience no one will do anything about it if someone complains. Until more comedians walk out when they see it, and it starts taking money out of clubs pocket they aren't going to care.

 

[geechiedan]

I never support criticism of the internet. Sure there are old doors that the internet has closed but as many doors as it has closed it has opened up millions more that were previously inaccessible. You just have to roll with the times and those that are unable to do so will get left behind. This is pure universal evolution. So although Chris has a good point, it does no good to cry about it. Find a way to use the internet to your advantage and if not accept that your time has passed and be grateful for your opportunities you had in the past.

recording someones performance without their permission is illegal regardless of the internet.

its a major factor in how entertainers protect their work. Taping with a phone and sharing someone's work (again without their knowldge or consent) can devalue their property. which can cut into their livelihood.

youre just too used to getting free shit over the web.

 

[3 Times]

recording someones performance without their permission is illegal regardless of the internet.

its a major factor in how entertainers protect their work. Taping with a phone and sharing someone's work (again without their knowldge or consent) can devalue their property. which can cut into their livelihood.

youre just too used to getting free shit over the web.

First off, I don't fucking watch cell phone footage videos of performances of any kind. Word to Chief Keef.

But it is what it is bro. The fact of the matter is that one can roll with the flow of evolution and use the internet for it's advantage or fight evolution and become an old vessel that no one has any usage for anymore. I don't empathize with anyone who complains about making a living in the age of the internet. The internet is equal opportunity for everyone to thrive off of. The only people who are having trouble with this are the old heads.


Regardless of the internet anyway, stand up comedy ain't what it used to be. It was the shit back in the 90's, there were so many greats, now it's watered down and seems to be a form of art that has been on it's way out for quite some time now.

 

[veritech]

this guy would be hit if he started up in this day and age.

 

[Rick Spanish]

- that was dope how bruce wayne cut all those cameras off

I literally laughed out loud when he let off that EMP.. LOL..

 

[BigATLslim]

he is funny...

​

Man, I been a Bill Burr fan for a MINUTE!

This stand up was HILARIOUS!

 

[Naha-Nago]

*two cents*

 

[geechiedan]

First off, I don't fucking watch cell phone footage videos of performances of any kind. Word to Chief Keef.

But it is what it is bro. The fact of the matter is that one can roll with the flow of evolution and use the internet for it's advantage or fight evolution and become an old vessel that no one has any usage for anymore. I don't empathize with anyone who complains about making a living in the age of the internet. The internet is equal opportunity for everyone to thrive off of. The only people who are having trouble with this are the old heads.


Regardless of the internet anyway, stand up comedy ain't what it used to be. It was the shit back in the 90's, there were so many greats, now it's watered down and seems to be a form of art that has been on it's way out for quite some time now.

how old are you...stand up comedy was shit in the 90s???

what you said doesn't negate the fact that recording someones performance without their expressed permission IS illegal. If chris rock wanted to walk off the stage when he sees a cell phone or sue the person who took the footage or demand that social media sites take down the footage the second it pops up then he's well within his rights to do so.


Just like metallica was within their rights to sue 50 thousand people for downloading their shit on napster. I like the openness of the internet too but as a person aspiring to get into the entertainment industry I'd like to my product would be and can be protected at some reasonable level. I don't think thats asking too much.

 

[3 Times]

how old are you...stand up comedy was shit in the 90s???

what you said doesn't negate the fact that recording someones performance without their expressed permission IS illegal. If chris rock wanted to walk off the stage when he sees a cell phone or sue the person who took the footage or demand that social media sites take down the footage the second it pops up then he's well within his rights to do so.


Just like metallica was within their rights to sue 50 thousand people for downloading their shit on napster. I like the openness of the internet too but as a person aspiring to get into the entertainment industry I'd like to my product would be and can be protected at some reasonable level. I don't think thats asking too much.

I said stand up in the 90's was "THE shit". Where I'm from that means really good.


I'm not saying it's right steal material (although I can make an argument that uploading/downloading music, movies etc is not stealing). That is besides the point. The point is there has been a shift in the way one becomes and remains successful and instead of fighting this shift, find ways to work with it.

The most successful musicians of today do not complain about getting their music downloaded, they LOVE it. They embrace it and in turn they have become extremely successful. Drake, A$AP, Kendrick, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, just to name a few.

 

[cozmic33]

There should be a no video policy unless you are affiliated personally with the comedian that's on stage or with the club. If anything, the comedian could review the footage and decide which bits he wants to put out there.

 

[Damn Right]

chris has a point about that 'no videos' part. and clubs can stop the taping of material if they stop letting people in w/phones. ALL PHONES. it can be done cause i experienced it. there's a titty bar not far from la county that makes all customers leave their phones in the car. u can come back out to use um then go back in, but NO phones. they do serious pat downs behind that sheit too.

 

[the flash]

he is funny...

​

 

[kinglickk]

this guy would be hit if he started up in this day and age.

So would Lisa Lampanelli - the female Dice Clay.

 

[d-monic]

Chris is not that funny to me, but he has had moments of sheer genius. That HBO special that put him on the map as a super star, where he was talking about "understanding" OJ killing Nicole, that was truly ground breaking stuff. Right up there with some of Richard Pryor and Eddie.

This was a good read. Rock always approaches stuff from an intelligent angle, and I can appreciate that.

 

[sirwoodz]

I literally laughed out loud when he let off that EMP.. LOL..

i let out an audible "oh shit" when it happened....and he was cool as shit about it

 

[reignmaker]

he is funny...

​

"Is this the line to lose half my shit?" - Bill Burr

 

[cooliojones]

Bill Burr was funny in spots in that video, but my stomach wasn't hurting. But he was DEAD ON when talking about women, they ALWAYS gotta be doing something, anything...

I swear when I was growing up they wanted me to have quiet time, time when I didn't do anything or go anywhere, just stay in the house and chill, like on rainy days. Now they always wanna be doing shyt. Shyt that costs money too.