Chris Rock’s latest stand-up show did not go as planned, as the comedian was forced to storm out of a billionaire’s Christmas party after making a controversial joke.
Rock performed a short set for guests at a party in Australia hosted by Anthony Pratt, the executive chairman of Pratt Industries. At one point, Rock joked, “Our new push will be outer space. We’ll put all the Mexicans on the rockets,” according to the New York Post.
Although plenty of people applauded after the questionable joke, Rock suddenly lost his cool after he appeared to see someone recording him.
More from New York Post writer Cindy Adams, who was present at the party:
Whatever he saw — or thought he saw — upset him. Like he went momentarily ape and shouted something like he wasn’t supposed to be taped, videoed, reported or whatever else wasn’t supposed to happen.
Didn’t complain. Didn’t explain. Didn’t do one more minute. Barrelling quickly, forcefully, through people to the exit doors, he kept bitching loudly and, without a second’s hesitation, stormed out — never to return.
Following the report from the Post, people on social media have attacked Rock for his etiquette at the party and the joke he made prior to leaving. One person wrote, “I see why white folks were protective over Chris Rock, he doing secret lil racist comedy shows for them lol.”
Another person posted, “Yeah, Chris Rock consistently proves he deserved that slap. He ain’t been funny in years and is always punching down in his comedy.”
One user shared, “If you can’t say it with your chest then don’t even bother being a ‘comedian’.”
Tony Rock, Rock’s brother, came to his defense, telling TMZ, that anyone who records comedians at comedy clubs is a “f***ing a**hole.”
Tony, a comedian himself, added, “We’re working on material all the time, so if you record it and put it up before the joke is perfected…it’s like a chef giving you a plate of food before it’s finished.”
The timing of this incident is interesting since Rock is also scheduled to host “Saturday Night Live” this weekend. We’ll see if he references his awkward moment in Australia.