Chris Rock & Dave Chappelle Hold Impromptu Performance In NYC

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File this in the “Why Wasn’t I There?” section.  Two of comedy’s biggest names shared the stage early Tuesday morning in an impromptu performance at New York City’s Comedy Cellar.  Throughout the week the two have performed separately at the Cellar, trying out new material; Rock because he’s preparing for an new standup special, and Chappelle because…well, who knows, just be thankful he’s still doing standup.  After performing solo for about 45 minutes, Dave Chappelle was joined by Chris Rock who took the stage to tell the audience, “Aw, you lucky motherf*ckers.”

Unfortunately for myself and those who also weren’t in attendance, somehow no audience member recorded this event.  However, Sean McCarthy of TheComicsComic.com was at the Cellar and offered a brief and definitely less hilarious recount of the night’s happenings:

 

For the next hour, the two comedic icons just riffed. On the Oscars and Seth MacFarlane’s performance as host. On Kevin Hart showing up at the Cellar the other night, and his two sold-out concerts last fall at Madison Square Garden. On Prince, who’s supposed to be in the city this coming weekend. On Jay-Z and President Barack Obama, and the sights and sounds of a $20,000-per-plate Obama fund-raiser last year at Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club. On passing on the chance to open for Jay-Z during his sold-out concert run at Barclays Arena in Brooklyn. “I had no material!” Rock demurred. “Neither do I!” Chappelle countered. They joked about eating fast food. And on the prospect of calling up another famous friend for a late-late-night outing to eat spaghetti. Just because it’d be funny to Chappelle to have strangers see a group of famous men (married with children), out late together doing something completely normal and boring. Chappelle convinced Rock to text Jay-Z at around 1:30 a.m. After a lack of a reply, they called Arsenio Hall and left a voice-mail message; then later the same for Lenny Kravitz.

“This could be the show,” Chappelle said. “Fireside chats with Chris Rock.”

“I’m in,” Rock replied.

So are we.

Rock joked that he needs time to prepare for an actual tour, stand-up or otherwise, before committing. “Dave’s like, let’s just do it Wednesday. Unannounced!” he said.

Just when they were saying goodbye to the audience and reminding them to tip their waiters and waitresses, Marlon Wayans rolled into the club. They brought him onstage for about 15 minutes of an ad-hoc interview. Then Rock left for home, bringing a DVD of the club’s recording to show his wife why he was out so late on a Tuesday night. “I’ve got proof,” he told The Comic’s Comic before leaving.

Wayans hopped back offstage.

At 2:50 a.m., Chappelle remained once again a solo act. He jokingly bragged he remained standing so he could be the last comedian onstage. “Well, that happened,” he said.

 

All I’ll say is if the two decided to tour together, it would definitely be epic.

In related news, the two appeared on stage again late last night, but this time with Kevin Hart, Bill Bellamy, and Marlon Wayans also making appearances.

Props to TSS and Miss Info for spotting this one.

 

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