Watched a Chris Rock DVD today (Bigger and Blacker). I really love Chris Rock shows. For a start the audiences he has (predominantly black) make each show seem like an event: jumping up and shouting approval and applauding and literally rolling in the aisles. Its more like a healing than a standup gig. Add to that the fact that Chris Rock is a very talented comedian, and one of the best social critics that isn't dead. He courts controversy (almost daring the audience to disagree with him), but not in the way that's only purpose is to see how far you can go. He, moreso than any other "Blacks guys are like this, but white guys are doing this" comics of the 1990s, is the heir to Richard Pryor. There's a point of view and an honesty and an inelligence that stands out a lot more than the actual material and style.

I still need to track down Bring the Pain. "Black people and niggas" is still one of my top five standup routines. Check it.