Hi guys!
The previous AMA was just a drill. I’m here to answer your questions for the next hour or so. Victoria’s going to be helping me out.
My latest movie TOP FIVE is in theaters now.
AMA.
https://twitter.com/reddit_AMA/status/544945563805188096
What directors inspired you in the making of Top Five? Do you foresee directing on a regular basis?
I’m a big Woody Allen fan. I’m a big Alexander Payne fan, Paul Thomas Anderson… Soderbergh… but probably Woody more than anybody. People are calling TOP FIVE “Woody-ish” but if you’re not stealing from Woody, you’re not doing anything, you know? If you’re not stealing from the Beatles, you’re not making music!
And I liked it, but it takes me away from my kids for long periods of time. I’d do it sporadically, but I don’t know if I’ll do it anytime soon.
Which SNL cast member was the smartest?
The smartest SNL cast member was Adam Sandler, by far.
People are going to know this – when I got hired, Adam was hired as a writer, he wasn’t even hired as a cast member. And he was smart enough to write stuff for other people AND write stuff for himself at the same time. Made himself indispensable. Made himself into a star. Smartest guy I know.
Of all the skits you did on SNL, which one was your favorite? And who was the most fun to work with?
My favorite skit to do was “Nat X.” It was a fun character, just straight to camera, really good hard jokes, a costume–everything you need in a good SNL sketch.
The most fun to work with was David Spade. He was my best friend on the show, he’s still my best friend off the show, and we’d work and go to McDonald’s. Mickey D’s!
What has been your strangest fan encounter?
I remember a midget girl hit on me one night.
She came up to me, at a club, I forget what city – it was getting late – and she asked what hotel I was staying at, and I said I was married, and she said “Can’t blame a bitch for trying!”
That was funny.
Did you enjoy working on Dogma? Any funny behind the scenes stories?
I had a good time working on Dogma, with Kevin and the guys. The only thing I remember about it was being naked for a LOOONG time on the ground… I fall out of the sky naked, so…
What is your opinion on Hannibal Burress calling out Bill Cosby and the fall out after?
I don’t know. I mean, I think Hannibal thought he was doing a joke to the people in the room? I don’t think he thought all of this would happen.
Are you and Kevin Hart going on tour together? If so can you call the tour ‘Between a Rock and a Hart place’?
I would LOVE to tour with Kevin, that would be a lot of fun. I don’t know what we would call it. It would probably NOT be “Between a Rock and a Hart Place.” But if Kevin wants to tour, I’d get ready.
Do you have any plans to do more music stuff?
I wouldn’t mind doing more music stuff. I did a sketch with Kanye on the Beautiful Twisted Fantasy album. I guess that was the last time I did anything musical. But yeah, I would love to. Haven’t done an album in a while because no one’s buying albums anymore.
Do you still hang out with Jackie Chang
Okay.
That’s Chris Tucker. I’m Chris Rock.
BUT… you know… sneezes I never hung out with Jackie Chan. I’m a big fan of the Rush Hour movies, and me and Chris Tucker get confused with each other all the time, and it’s the first thing we talk about when we bump into each other.
You should watch TOP FIVE
A) To apologize for mistaking me for Chris Tucker
and
B) Even if you don’t like me, you probably like Kevin Hart, Adam Sandler or Jerry Seinfeld.
Who would win in a fight, you or Chris Tucker? Where would the fight take place, how much will it cost to see?
Let’s see, me and Chris Tucker. He would win, he outweighs me by about 40 pounds, I guess.
It’s not really a Vegas fight, probably Mississippi somewhere, with a riverboat casino. It would probably cost you about $30 to be there. Neither one of us are fighters. But he would win.
I read that you retired the ‘black people vs. n-words’ routine because you thought it gave racists the license to use the n-word more openly. Was there a specific event that lead you to this decision? As a comedian who rose to prominence with racially-centered humour, do you think racism in America has improved or worsened since Bring the Pain?
First of all, I didn’t retire the bit because of anything. I retire everything after I do it on TV. People never really respond to jokes twice, you know? Humor is about surprise.
Race in America, I mean, you know, there’s progress and then there’s setbacks. Since “Bring the Pain,” it’s a different world, obviously. That was 1996. A lot’s happened since ’96. I’d say it’s a better world.
Have there been instances where people have repeated your comedy bits which contain racially charged material in front of you in completely inappropriate situations?
I get it a lot? I get it a lot with sex stuff. I’ve had like, you know, taking my kids to school and other kids’ moms tell me their favorite positions and stuff, just telling me very inappropriate sex things. It can be a little like “Whoaaaa, okay.”
I’m sure you’ve heard Jim Breuer’s story about Chris Farley pooping out of a window while he was an SNL cast member. Do you have any stories like that about him?
I don’t have any Chris Farley pooping out of windows stories.
I have a couple “vomiting out of window stories” but no “pooping out of windows” stories.
Chris was known to vomit, from time-to-time, and the great thing ’bout it was, he’d be messed up before he vomited and then as soon as he vomited… he’d be back to normal. It was kind of a “reset” button. “OH, Chris is back!”
Are you happy?
I’m pretty happy being me.
That’s not to say I don’t have my own little demons, but I don’t foresee myself going anyplace dark right now.
As a traveling entertainer, is it true that In-n-Out Burgers on the west coast is the best fast food burger in America?
No. The best fast food burger in America would be the Shake Shack.
So-rry!
What do you think of the newer mediums of comedy such as lets play’s, vine, youtube shorts, and homemade animations?
I like all of it. I mean… comedy’s not a brand. You can’t just be standup or sketch. There’s a lot of great people out there doing really funny work. So I’m up for all of it.
Do you still believe in bullet control?
I definitely believe in bullet control. It’s the sad thing that America does not believe in bullet control. But I will champion that movement.
If you didn’t go into comedy, what would you be doing for a living now?
If I didn’t go into comedy, I’d probably work at UPS or Fedex. I’d be the funny Fedex guy. But that would be what I’d be doing, probably.
Whose your favorite comedian of all time? Favorite new comedian?
My favorite comedian of all-time is probably Richard Pryor. He’s the most raw, he’s the most honest, and he’s the funniest.
My favorite NEW comedian? I don’t know how new he is, but every time I see Jim Gaffigan, I laugh and laugh. I love seeing him on TV, hearing him on comedy radio stations, guy just makes me laugh.
Any upcoming projects in the next year that you’d like to share with us?
I’m doing research on another Hair documentary. So maybe that’ll happen. Writing another movie, writing some stand-up, so at some point, the next 3-4 months, I’ll see which one is ready to go. And then I’ll choose.
How much of an impact do you think social and political commentary in stand-up comedy makes in the bigger scheme of things?
I don’t know. I mean, yes, I think it helps people become aware of things and that’s good. I don’t know if it changes anything, but awareness is pretty good. So it helps people become aware of certain issues.
Who was your favorite actor growing up?
My favorite actor growing up… probably Eddie Murphy.
You’re stuck on an island and you get to choose 3 things to be there with you, one electronic, one food, and one other person or thing of your choice, what would they be and why?
Let’s see.
I guess an iPod. Not even an iPod, an iPad, because you get music AND a book, so you can read!
I already said how much I love pineapple, that’d be a good food.
And I don’t know. This is a fantasy right? Whoever the funny supermodel is. Kate Upton with a sense of humor.
How would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
How would i survive a zombie apocalypse?
I don’t know. I would probably disguise myself as a zombie, and start killing zombies. I would be a predator mega-zombie. Yeah, that’s it.
What do you prefer: star wars, trek, gate or bucks?
I prefer Starbucks. You know. But Star Trek’s pretty good too.
I’m not the tech-y guy!
What has been your favorite film to be a part of?
My favorite film to be a part of – I know it sounds like a cheap plug – but TOP FIVE. I had a lot of fun, I worked with my friends, and it’s kind of like 2 Days in New York, but probably a little more edgier.
Would you be willing to play James Bond?
I would LOVE to play James Bond. Would the studio be willing to make me James Bond?
That’s the REAL question.
What’s your favorite joke you’ve ever told?
Um… I used to do a joke about my only job as a father being to keep my girl off the pole. I take some pride in coming up with an edgy joke about becoming a father for the first time.
Do you plan on doing any Broadway?
I did a play on Broadway about 3 years ago called “The Mother with the Hat’ starring myself, Bobby Cannavalle, Annabelle Sciarra, Bill Vasquez and Elizabeth Rodriguez. The play was nominated for a Tony award for “Best play” and I believe Bobby was nominated for “Best actor.” And the play was a success. I’d love to do it again, I’lll tell you that!
What kind of food do you like?
I like spicy food!
My favorite thing to eat is probably soft-shell crabs from the Ivy in LA. Paging soft-shell crab.
Who is/was your inspiration?
In life?
I don’t know. My inspiration.. my parents are the ones who instilled my drive in me, and made me the person I am that thinks i can get things done. Gave me the balls to think I can write a movie and direct it, I get all of that from my parents.
How has your fame affected your kids’ lives?
Hopefully not that much? I mean, it makes them not have to wait for things when they’re with me. They get to sit at the Cheesecake Factory pretty quick. I don’t think it’s hurt ’em, let’s put it that way. I don’t know if it’s helped them either. With the fame comes some money, which helps pay for school and other things.
Why should we go see Top Five?
You should go see TOP FIVE because…
I know this sounds odd, but it’s really funny. And it’s funny in an original way.
These aren’t jokes you’ve seen before. These aren’t people you’ve seen doing these jokes before.
It is a truly original comedy.
I think it’s a great movie to bring a date to. There’s enough romance for the women, and there’s enough hard-edged comedy for the guys.
Everybody wins!
