Fans Poke Fun At News Of Chris Rock's History Making 2023 Netflix Comedy Special

Chris Rock is making live-streaming history!

Months after it was revealed that Netflix would be experimenting with live-streaming technology, Rock has been named the first artist to try it out. While the move would do wonders for the comedian, his fans could not miss the opportunity to roast him with his Oscars drama with actor Will Smith.

Smith had walked up on the stage, where the 57-year-old was presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature and slapped him for joking about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.

It was announced on Thursday that Rock's yet-to-be-named comedy special will be streamed globally in early 2023. A press release from Robbie Praw — Netflix vice president of stand-up and comedy formats, announcing the big move read: 

"Chris Rock is one of the most iconic and important comedic voices of our generation. We're thrilled the entire world will be able to experience a live Chris Rock comedy event and be a part of Netflix history. This will be an unforgettable moment, and we're so honored that Chris is carrying this torch."

Although full details will be shared later, fans quickly used the comment section of Netflix's Instagram announcement to poke fun at Rock. One person joked, playing on Smith's first name, "WILL he pull it off?"

A second fan advised, "Just don't let Will near him that's all I'm saying," and a third queried, "Hope they have better security than the Oscars?" A fourth person claimed, "Will Smith has front row tickets [thumbs up emoji]."

At the same time, a fifth explained, "I'm telling y'all, Chris getting slapped by Will at the Oscars was the BEST thing that could've happened to him lol he became instantly relevant again and now look, his own live show streaming on Netflix. Wild."

A sixth observer was so sure that Rock would make an "Oscar's slap joke" that he bet $30, and a seventh person shared that they could not "wait to hear his jokes about the oscars."

The Grammy Award Winner previously worked with Netflix for his 2018 stand-up special, "Chris Rock: Tamborine."

Even though Rock has spent most of his time avoiding conversations surrounding the infamous slap at the 94th Oscars, he could not resist joking about it during a Phoenix set in August, per The Blast.

The "Lethal Weapon 4" actor revealed that just after the incident, he was asked to host the 2023 Oscars by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Unfortunately, the seasoned comedian stated that he had rejected the offer. He said accepting the deal and climbing back on the awards ceremony stage was similar to returning to a crime scene. 

The "I Think I Love My Wife" director even referenced the O.J. Simpson murder trial, noting that his taking the Oscars offer would be like asking his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, to "go back to the restaurant."

Rock also divulged that he subsequently declined a second offer — this time, it was an opportunity to appear in a new commercial for the Super Bowl. However, he avoided mentioning if his reason for turning down the annual final playoff game was due to the Smith debacle.

Before taking the Oscars stage earlier this year, Rock had hosted it twice before — in 2005 and 2016. His 2016 appearance occurred just as the Academy faced intense public criticism and backlash with the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

Some saw the Academy's initial decision to let him run the 2005 ceremony as a chance to bring an "edge" to it. It was also assumed that Rock's involvement would make it more appealing to younger audiences.

As for his fallout with Smith, the comedian disclosed that he and the actor had not spoken since the Oscars incident. The Fresh Prince, on his part, released an apology clip where he appealed, saying: 

"I apologize to you, my behavior was unacceptable, and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk. There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There is no part of me that thinks that's the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insult."