Chris Rock on His New Movie, Favorite Comics, and Working at Red Lobster

Photo: The Howard Stern Show

Chris Rock is a legendary comedian – Howard often cites him and his first HBO special “Bring the Pain” as the pinnacle of comedic brilliance – but real movie stardom has eluded him. Hopefully, that’s all about to change with the release of his new film “Top Five” which he wrote, directed and stars in.

Here are the highlights from Chris’s interview with Howard:

Chris recently hosted “Saturday Night Live” and generated some controversy with his opening monologue in which he asked who would ever feel safe going to the Freedom Tower after 9/11. Chris was proud of his edgy act, but said that hosting “SNL” is worse than hosting the Oscars.

Joel Gallen – who directed Chris Rock’s stand-up special “Never Scared” and Howard’s Birthday Bash – asked Chris to do a few minutes of stand-up during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Chris (in what was probably a wise move) declined the offer. “You have to know when to fold ’em,” Rock told Howard.

Chris has been in touch with Tracy Morgan and says his recovery is “day to day” following his tragic car accident. Chris explained Tracy can go a few weeks where it looks like he’s on the mend and then there’ll be a setback. Fans will get to see Tracy in Chris’s movie, along with loads of other comedy cameos, including one from Jerry Seinfeld. Chris revealed that he offered Dave Chappelle a role but Dave turned him down. Still, Chris called Dave his favorite comedian and said he’s still the funniest guy going. Howard asked Chris what they talk about and Chris had a simple answer: “Pussy.”

Another comedic favorite of Chris’s is Bill Cosby, who has been having some trouble in the media lately. Chris couldn’t comment on the numerous allegations against Cosby but he could comment on the fact that Cosby is one of the funniest comedians of all time. Howard admitted he still doesn’t see what’s so funny.

Chris worked at a Red Lobster while making the rounds as a young stand-up. He told Howard about sitting in clubs and watching comics like Susie Essman and Joy Behar – they were his “college professors.” Chris, as we all know, made it to the top tier of comedy, but one of his old Red Lobster co-workers is now running Red Lobster on the East Coast. Chris feels that in some way, he failed and his buddy succeeded.

At the end of the interview, Chris wanted to publicly apologize for his recent comment that Dennis Miller isn’t as funny as he used to be. Chris didn’t mean it – Dennis is still one of the greatest.

Chris Rock’s new movie “Top Five” is in theaters now.