Chris Rock is no stranger to standing ovations, but the veteran performer received an extended one after taking the stage this week to debut new material during a surprise set at West Hollywood’s Laugh Factory.
The iconic stand-up comedy venue confirmed the appearance as owner Jamie Masada was in attendance to catch Rock’s set, which lasted an hour and ended with the audience “roaring and screaming with laughter” and on their feet hoping the night wouldn’t end.
Rock performs at the Laugh Factory.
Courtesy of the Laugh Factory
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Rock covered a range of topical subjects during the set, joking about everything from Love Island and divorce to Halle Berry and the infamous Oscar slap. Regarding the latter, the source said that Rock broached the subject only after an audience member lobbed a question about the incident which found Will Smith slap Rock in a shock incident during the 2022 Oscar ceremony. Rock answered with several “hilarious” responses, per a source.
On his divorce, Rock offered a piece of advice to anyone in the audience or their friends considering a divorce to consult his ex-wife’s attorney. Regarding Berry, his co-star in Boomerang, Rock said she was so charming and “wonderful” to work with that even the less attractive people on set thought they might have a chance to ask her out.
“It was a night every one who attended will long remember,” concluded the source who called the set “remarkably brilliant.” No word on where Rock will turn up next or if he’s workshopping the material for an upcoming special. Rock last released the special Selective Outrage on Netflix.
Laugh Factory’s weekend lineup includes such comedians as Dane Cook, Jamie Kennedy, Amir K, Pete Lee, Vanessa Graddick, Aida Rodriguez, Ian Edwards, LouLou Gonzalez, Tom Dreesen, Uncle Lazer, Blair Socci, Shane Torres, Aaron Branch and one “special guest” on Saturday night.