Chris Rock’s Netflix stand-up special is almost here.
The comedian’s first televised stand-up gig in 10 years, Chris Rock: Tamborine, will debut on the streaming platform on Wednesday, Valentine’s Day. Directed by fellow comedian Bo Burnham and filmed at New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music, the comedy special has turned out to be the reveal behind Netflix’s mysterious tamborine-themed advertising campaign, which included a teaser video and billboards in Los Angeles and New York.
Tamborine is the first of two Netflix stand-up specials to come from Rock, who will attempt to use his incisive commentary on relationships, race and society on life in 2018. The specials also mark a rare return to the stage for the comic, as his last stand-up program was HBO’s Kill the Messenger in 2008. In other recent appearances, Rock hosted the Academy Awards in 2016 to solid reviews, directed Amy Schumer’s Netflix special and guest-starred on Fox’s hip-hop drama Empire.
In 2016, the Emmy and Grammy winner signed a massive $40 million deal with the streaming giant for two stand-up specials. The $20 million per special was believed to be more than other A-list comedians (Jerry Seinfeld, Schumer) have commanded during the platform’s stand-up boom. Specials are still forthcoming on the streamer from Kevin James and Ellen DeGeneres.
Rock posted the news Tuesday morning on his Instagram account. Once the special was live, he also posted a trailer (below).
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 14, 2018
