How I Experienced Selective Outrage

I didn’t see the hour Chris Rock was developing prior to the 2022 Oscars* For readers who don’t know, comedy specials are the opposite of musical albums.

While both serve as an intentional collection of the artist’s vision; albums are the introduction of new music and a comedy special serves as the last time you’ll hear those jokes., but immediately thereafter the world only wanted to hear the SNL alum talk about one thing.

Admittedly I was curious too.

So when I went to the live show at Constitution Hall in DC prior to the Netflix broadcast(!) in Baltimore, it was a masterclass in using misdirection during a long form stand up comedy special.

Think about it.

Everyone in the auditorium KNOWS what they want to hear, and like Guns N’ Roses often did with November Rain; he artfully makes them wait until the end of the setlist.

The only reason he’s forgiven: the special is so thoughtful, human and honest by the time he gets to the Mr. and Mrs. Smith material most audience members had stopped looking for it — but like the crowd seeing GNR on the Use Your Illusions Tour– they began cheering upon hearing the opening chords of the song they came to see performed.

side note: Do you know how killer a set has to be for an audience to forget about their reason for coming until they’re surprised at the end…and get hyped when they’re reminded?

On the post-Delirious Mt. Rushmore of comedy, I see Rock as Thomas Jefferson; the most accomplished diplomat of Eddie’s stand-up successors. In that role, he’s served as a thoughtful and invested voice of black and white joint accountability; positively moving the cultural needle in each of the last 4 decades.

Some may argue that role no longer needs to be filled. I can’t speak to their sensitivities, except to say I don’t share them. To me his voice has always been pointed, valued and sage. The wisdom offered: evergreen and logically supported. Bring the Pain and Big Ass Jokes, still hold up.

In this special Chris Rock takes aim at himself, society at large, then the Smiths. It isn’t until after the credits it dawns on you that he’s even taken a calculated shot at his fans and haters as well.

The only way for you to be for or against anything he said, is to prove your own participation in his actual thesis. You’d have to acknowledge that you are guilty of the Selective Outrage he used to label his show. Which means he’s already forgiven you.

How meta is that?