Comedian Chris Rock is making a special return to Saturday Night Live (SNL) this weekend. Rock, who was part of the show’s cast from 1990 to 1993, will host the episode. Joining him will be musical guest Gracie Abrams.
In a funny new promo, Rock chatted with Abrams and SNL cast member Heidi Gardner about his movie career. Gardner told Rock, “Gracie and I were just saying how you did our absolute favorite movie in the world.”
Rock tried to guess which movie they meant. He mentioned Madagascar (2005), where he voiced Marty the zebra, and Grown Ups (2010), a comedy with Adam Sandler. But their favorite turned out to be Pootie Tang (2001), a choice that surprised Rock.
“Y’all really like Pootie Tang?” he asked. Abrams and Gardner responded by quoting funny lines from the movie, making Rock laugh.
For those who don’t know, Pootie Tang was based on a sketch from The Chris Rock Show. In the movie, Rock played a character called Daddy Tang. Though the film wasn’t a huge hit when it came out, it became popular later for its silly humor.
Gardner also told Rock how much his comedy meant to her while growing up. “I didn’t have parents, I didn’t go to school, I just had a VHS copy of Bigger and Blacker and a dream,” she joked. Bigger and Blacker is one of Rock’s most famous stand-up comedy specials, released in 1999.
Chris Rock’s episode isn’t the only big event for Saturday Night Live. Next week, Martin Short, another former SNL cast member, will host the show with musical guest Hozier. Fans are excited to see Short’s return, as he’s known for his hilarious performances.
SNL is also getting ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary. A special episode will air on February 16, 2024, to honor the show’s long history. Since it started in 1975, Saturday Night Live has helped launch the careers of many famous comedians, including Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell.
Chris Rock’s return is sure to bring laughs and excitement this weekend. Fans can’t wait to see what surprises he has in store.
