Chris Rock is no stranger to standing ovations, but the veteran performer received an extended one after taking the stage this week to debut new material during a surprise set at West Hollywood’s Laugh Factory.
The iconic stand-up comedy venue confirmed the appearance as owner Jamie Masada was in attendance to catch Rock’s set, which lasted an hour and ended with the audience “roaring and screaming with laughter” and on their feet hoping the night wouldn’t end.
Rock performs at the Laugh Factory. Courtesy of the Laugh Factory
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Rock covered a range of topical subjects during the set, joking about everything from abandoning Love Island and divorce (by promoting his ex-wife’s attorney) to “wonderful” Halle Berry and the infamous Oscar slap. Regarding the latter, the source said that Rock broached the subject only after an audience member lobbed a question...
The iconic stand-up comedy venue confirmed the appearance as owner Jamie Masada was in attendance to catch Rock’s set, which lasted an hour and ended with the audience “roaring and screaming with laughter” and on their feet hoping the night wouldn’t end.
Rock performs at the Laugh Factory. Courtesy of the Laugh Factory
The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Rock covered a range of topical subjects during the set, joking about everything from abandoning Love Island and divorce (by promoting his ex-wife’s attorney) to “wonderful” Halle Berry and the infamous Oscar slap. Regarding the latter, the source said that Rock broached the subject only after an audience member lobbed a question...
- 7/26/2025
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Actress-comedienne Tiffany Haddish has been apprehended for Driving Under Influence (DUI) after police reportedly found her asleep at the wheel of her running car. The 43-year-old star, who was arrested by cops in January 2022 in Georgia after cops received a call that a driver was dozing off on the road, was collared early on November 24 morning in California, hours after performing at a comedy show on Thanksgiving, and is said to have been handcuffed by officers.
“We responded to a call of a vehicle on the roadway at 5.45 this morning,” a watch commander for the Beverly Hills Police Department told Page Six, reports aceshowbiz.com.
He also noted officers were told the driver was “asleep behind the wheel.”
Page Six added sources said her car was “stopped in lanes of traffic” and not pulled over to the side, meaning any vehicles that were driving in the area at that time...
“We responded to a call of a vehicle on the roadway at 5.45 this morning,” a watch commander for the Beverly Hills Police Department told Page Six, reports aceshowbiz.com.
He also noted officers were told the driver was “asleep behind the wheel.”
Page Six added sources said her car was “stopped in lanes of traffic” and not pulled over to the side, meaning any vehicles that were driving in the area at that time...
- 11/25/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Actress-comedienne Tiffany Haddish has been apprehended for Driving Under Influence (DUI) after police reportedly found her asleep at the wheel of her running car. The 43-year-old star, who was arrested by cops in January 2022 in Georgia after cops received a call that a driver was dozing off on the road, was collared early on November 24 morning in California, hours after performing at a comedy show on Thanksgiving, and is said to have been handcuffed by officers.
“We responded to a call of a vehicle on the roadway at 5.45 this morning,” a watch commander for the Beverly Hills Police Department told Page Six, reports aceshowbiz.com.
He also noted officers were told the driver was “asleep behind the wheel.”
Page Six added sources said her car was “stopped in lanes of traffic” and not pulled over to the side, meaning any vehicles that were driving in the area at that time...
“We responded to a call of a vehicle on the roadway at 5.45 this morning,” a watch commander for the Beverly Hills Police Department told Page Six, reports aceshowbiz.com.
He also noted officers were told the driver was “asleep behind the wheel.”
Page Six added sources said her car was “stopped in lanes of traffic” and not pulled over to the side, meaning any vehicles that were driving in the area at that time...
- 11/25/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Howard Hesseman, the veteran actor known for starring in sitcoms “Wkrp in Cincinnati” and “Head of the Class,” died Jan. 29 at the age of 81. The actor is remembered here by his friend and fellow “Wkrp” star, actor-director Tim Reid.
I first met Howard Hesseman at a cast meeting before we shot the pilot for “Wkrp in Cincinnati.” The first thing I had to do was admit that I’d lifted something from him years back.
Back in the early 1970s, I was one-half of a Black and white comedy duo with Tom Dreesen. The concept for our signature routine was borrowed — Ok, lifted — from a very funny sketch that Hesseman had been a part of years before with his improv troupe, The Committee. It was a bit about teaching one of their white members how to be Black. Today it would be politically incorrect for sure. Tom and I took...
I first met Howard Hesseman at a cast meeting before we shot the pilot for “Wkrp in Cincinnati.” The first thing I had to do was admit that I’d lifted something from him years back.
Back in the early 1970s, I was one-half of a Black and white comedy duo with Tom Dreesen. The concept for our signature routine was borrowed — Ok, lifted — from a very funny sketch that Hesseman had been a part of years before with his improv troupe, The Committee. It was a bit about teaching one of their white members how to be Black. Today it would be politically incorrect for sure. Tom and I took...
- 2/1/2022
- by Tim Reid
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Sinatra nearly walked away from performing live at the age of 78 after he flubbed a song one particular evening — but then a man in the audience intervened.
The story — as told by comedian Tom Dreesen, who toured with Sinatra — goes that Ol’ Blue Eyes (born Dec. 12, 1915) in the twilight of his career had “hit and miss nights, but crowds loved him.”
However, one evening, Sinatra had a really tough time, Dreesen once told Kevin Nealon while being interviewed at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
“There’s like 20,000 people in ...
The story — as told by comedian Tom Dreesen, who toured with Sinatra — goes that Ol’ Blue Eyes (born Dec. 12, 1915) in the twilight of his career had “hit and miss nights, but crowds loved him.”
However, one evening, Sinatra had a really tough time, Dreesen once told Kevin Nealon while being interviewed at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
“There’s like 20,000 people in ...
- 12/11/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Frank Sinatra nearly walked away from performing live at the age of 78 after he flubbed a song one particular evening — but then a man in the audience intervened.
The story — as told by comedian Tom Dreesen, who toured with Sinatra — goes that Ol’ Blue Eyes (born Dec. 12, 1915) in the twilight of his career had “hit and miss nights, but crowds loved him.”
However, one evening, Sinatra had a really tough time, Dreesen once told Kevin Nealon while being interviewed at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
“There’s like 20,000 people in ...
The story — as told by comedian Tom Dreesen, who toured with Sinatra — goes that Ol’ Blue Eyes (born Dec. 12, 1915) in the twilight of his career had “hit and miss nights, but crowds loved him.”
However, one evening, Sinatra had a really tough time, Dreesen once told Kevin Nealon while being interviewed at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.
“There’s like 20,000 people in ...
- 12/11/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On June 10, the SAG-aftra Foundation held its 10th Annual L.A. Golf Classic hosted by actor, comedian and host of the new ABC game show Card Sharks Joel McHale at a private golf club in Burbank, California.
Joel McHale and Richard Karn
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation
The tournament and fundraiser brought together over 105 actors and entertainment industry executives in support of performers facing life-threatening illness and severe economic hardship. Proceeds benefit the SAG-aftra Foundation’s Catastrophic Health Fund and Emergency Assistance programs for SAG-aftra artists and families in need. Sponsors included Johnny Carson Foundation, AMC, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Group Retiree Solutions, Tim Allen and Boxing Cat, CBS, Exactuals, Express Scripts, SAG-aftra, Backstage, Cape Line, The Honda Foundation, Jim Beam, Peroni and Los Angeles magazine.
Attendees of SAG-aftra Foundation 10th Annual L.A. Golf Classic included host Joel McHale, and celebrity guests and players Dave Annable,...
Joel McHale and Richard Karn
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Foundation
The tournament and fundraiser brought together over 105 actors and entertainment industry executives in support of performers facing life-threatening illness and severe economic hardship. Proceeds benefit the SAG-aftra Foundation’s Catastrophic Health Fund and Emergency Assistance programs for SAG-aftra artists and families in need. Sponsors included Johnny Carson Foundation, AMC, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Group Retiree Solutions, Tim Allen and Boxing Cat, CBS, Exactuals, Express Scripts, SAG-aftra, Backstage, Cape Line, The Honda Foundation, Jim Beam, Peroni and Los Angeles magazine.
Attendees of SAG-aftra Foundation 10th Annual L.A. Golf Classic included host Joel McHale, and celebrity guests and players Dave Annable,...
- 6/17/2019
- Look to the Stars
Coming to the stage next: a Showtime documentary series about the legendary Comedy Store. Mike Binder will direct the four-part project that’s eyed for 2020.
The untitled series from Showtime Documentary Films brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at the Comedy Store. As a Comedy Store alum, former stand-up comic Binder spotlights one of pop culture’s great laboratories with never-before-seen footage and incisive, emotional interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy.
Founded by Sammy Shore, Mitzi Shore and Rudy DeLuca in 1972, the iconic West Hollywood club has launched the careers of countless comics. A mere sampling Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, Sam Kinison, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, Whitney Cummings, Iliza Shlesinger, Paul Rodriguez, David Spade, Bob Saget, Howie Mandel, Joe Rogan, Chris D’Elia, Tom Dreesen and Jimmie Walker.
“The Comedy Store is...
The untitled series from Showtime Documentary Films brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at the Comedy Store. As a Comedy Store alum, former stand-up comic Binder spotlights one of pop culture’s great laboratories with never-before-seen footage and incisive, emotional interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy.
Founded by Sammy Shore, Mitzi Shore and Rudy DeLuca in 1972, the iconic West Hollywood club has launched the careers of countless comics. A mere sampling Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, Sam Kinison, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, Whitney Cummings, Iliza Shlesinger, Paul Rodriguez, David Spade, Bob Saget, Howie Mandel, Joe Rogan, Chris D’Elia, Tom Dreesen and Jimmie Walker.
“The Comedy Store is...
- 4/22/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime Documentary Films has announced an upcoming docu-series on the history of The Comedy Store, the Los Angeles landmark where some of the world’s biggest comics got their start.
The four-part series will featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with veteran comedians including Judd Apatow, David Spade, Martin Lawrence and Bob Saget.
Expected to debut on Showtime in 2020, Comedy Store alum Mike Binder (“Black or White”) will direct. Binder will also executive produce along with Mike Tollin (“The Franchise”), Jon Weinbach, Peter Shore and Paul Young. The Comedy Store’s creative director Adam Eget will produce, and Jonathan Vogler will also produce for Mandalay Sports Media.
Also Read: Bel Powley to Star With Pete Davidson in Judd Apatow Comedy at Universal
Per Showtime, the series “brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.
The four-part series will featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with veteran comedians including Judd Apatow, David Spade, Martin Lawrence and Bob Saget.
Expected to debut on Showtime in 2020, Comedy Store alum Mike Binder (“Black or White”) will direct. Binder will also executive produce along with Mike Tollin (“The Franchise”), Jon Weinbach, Peter Shore and Paul Young. The Comedy Store’s creative director Adam Eget will produce, and Jonathan Vogler will also produce for Mandalay Sports Media.
Also Read: Bel Powley to Star With Pete Davidson in Judd Apatow Comedy at Universal
Per Showtime, the series “brings to life the legends, heartbreak and history created at The Comedy Store, which over the past 47 years has launched the careers of a breathtaking array of stars.
- 4/22/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
http://www.lajfilmfest.org
The 13th annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival will begin on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 and conclude on Wednesday, May 2nd with films from around the world celebrating the Jewish experience.
The opening night begins with a Bar Mitzvah or 13th year, style party and a tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. with the premiere of a new documentary Sammy Davis Jr. — I Gotta Be Me, an amazing Documentary made for American Masters which I was elated to see when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Sammy Davis Jr. was the ultimate performer. His worldview was unique and self made just as he was. It did not conform to the liberal “style” of the time, but it was not conservative either.
USA/2018/100 minutes
Directed by Sam Pollard).
Sammy Davis Jr. was recognized as a groundbreaking entertainer who frequently found himself bracketed by the bigotry of white America and...
The 13th annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival will begin on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 and conclude on Wednesday, May 2nd with films from around the world celebrating the Jewish experience.
The opening night begins with a Bar Mitzvah or 13th year, style party and a tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. with the premiere of a new documentary Sammy Davis Jr. — I Gotta Be Me, an amazing Documentary made for American Masters which I was elated to see when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Sammy Davis Jr. was the ultimate performer. His worldview was unique and self made just as he was. It did not conform to the liberal “style” of the time, but it was not conservative either.
USA/2018/100 minutes
Directed by Sam Pollard).
Sammy Davis Jr. was recognized as a groundbreaking entertainer who frequently found himself bracketed by the bigotry of white America and...
- 4/10/2018
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
As David Letterman's hosting career wraps up, CBS confirms several of his favorite stars who will be among the final guests. It includes Bill Murray, the comic actor who was his first guest on both NBC and CBS. This week of "Late Show with David Letterman" includes Alec Baldwin, Billy Crystal, Tom Dreesen, Michael J. Fox, Kevin James, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Amy Sedaris. Appearing in late April through May 20 will be George Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Tom Hanks, Jack Hanna, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Keaton, Don Rickles, Julia Roberts, Ray Romano, Paul Rudd, Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, Howard Stern, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, and Oprah Winfrey. Deadline -Break- Sunday's MTV Movie Awards might have had one of the "worst ever" red carpets for fashions if not for the saving graces of a few top names. Special notices are given to Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lopez, Bai Ling,...
- 4/13/2015
- Gold Derby
If David Letterman's only goal for his final weeks as Late Show host is to to welcome a galaxy of A-list stars, he has more than succeeded.
George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey are just a few of the top-liners sending off Letterman after more than 20 years behind the desk at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
On Monday, the host announced which celebrities will be appearing on his final 28 broadcasts of the Late Show, airing on CBS over the next month and a half in advance of the show's grand finale on May 20.
This...
George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey are just a few of the top-liners sending off Letterman after more than 20 years behind the desk at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
On Monday, the host announced which celebrities will be appearing on his final 28 broadcasts of the Late Show, airing on CBS over the next month and a half in advance of the show's grand finale on May 20.
This...
- 4/13/2015
- by Andrea Park, @scandreapark
- People.com - TV Watch
We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Eva Longoria Late Show Arrival".Eva Longoria arriving for "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York City.Photo copyright by Paul Froggatt / PR Photos. Eva Longoria arriving for "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York City.Photo copyright by Paul Froggatt / PR Photos. Eva Longoria arriving for "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York City.Photo copyright by Paul Froggatt / PR Photos. Tom Dreesen - "Late Show with David Letterman" - May 09, 2012 - Ed Sullivan Theatre - New York City, NY, USA © Paul Froggatt / PR Photos Florence Welch - "Late Show with David Letterman" - May 09, 2012 - Ed Sullivan Theatre -...
- 5/12/2012
- by James Wray
- Monsters and Critics
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today we celebrate the brilliance of Corona's marketing team in discerning that Americans are extremely fond of cultural holidays that we perceive to be centered around drinking themed alcohol (see: St.Patrick's Day) and that any excuse to eat nachos is a good one. It sends a clear and coherent message to other cultures that we will adopt your fun holidays with glee but god forbid you ever try to move here. I do not yet have a comically oversized margarita in my hand, but as I'm writing this it's not even 2:30pm, so it's only a matter of time. Of course, if you're not in a celebratory mood, it appears that the Thursday night shows are new and where they're supposed to be for like, the second week in a row now which shouldn't be remarkable but unfortunately is. Here's your Thursday night TV:...
- 5/5/2011
- by Intern Rusty
Listen, dear readers, I'm going to level with you: I have a headache, I still have to pack for my train ride tomorrow and find knitting supplies to keep myself busy for the 17 hours I'll be spending on said train, and it's been a long week already. I will make up for the lack of introduction at a later date. Here's your Wednesday night TV:
8:00pm: "Human Target" on Fox
"Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring Natalie Cole and David McCullough" on PBS
"The Sing-Off" on NBC
"Survivor" on CBS
9:00pm: "Criminal Minds" on CBS
"Friday Night Lights" on DirecTV
"Hell's Kitchen" on Fox. 8th season finale.
"Third Reich: The Fall" on History
"I'll Do Anything" on Bbca
"Man vs. Food: Carnivore Chronicles 8: Magnificence of Meatiness" on Travel
"Mythbusters" on Discovery. It's a Green Hornet special, which sounds totally lame to me but that's probably because...
8:00pm: "Human Target" on Fox
"Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring Natalie Cole and David McCullough" on PBS
"The Sing-Off" on NBC
"Survivor" on CBS
9:00pm: "Criminal Minds" on CBS
"Friday Night Lights" on DirecTV
"Hell's Kitchen" on Fox. 8th season finale.
"Third Reich: The Fall" on History
"I'll Do Anything" on Bbca
"Man vs. Food: Carnivore Chronicles 8: Magnificence of Meatiness" on Travel
"Mythbusters" on Discovery. It's a Green Hornet special, which sounds totally lame to me but that's probably because...
- 12/15/2010
- by Intern Rusty
Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen had some very odd moments as one of America's first interracial comedy teams. In their new autobiography, "Tim & Tom," Reid, who played deejay Venus Flytrap on "Wkrp in Cincinnati," and Dreesen, a "Tonight Show" and David Letterman regular, say they routinely shared rooms on the road to save money. "Once we showed up at a cheap motel in Missouri at three o'clock in the morning and had to wake the desk clerk up," they write. "All of sudden,...
- 8/24/2008
- NYPost.com
Letterman Spends Christmas in Iraq
American chat show host David Letterman spent Christmas in Iraq on a top-secret mission to entertain US troops stationed there. The Late Show presenter thrilled thousands of Marines on Friday night by staging a live version of his popular late night program at Camp Taqaddum. Letterman opened the show by joking, "Anybody here from out of town?" Late Show regulars Paul Shaffer and Biff Henderson and funnyman Tom Dreesen joined Letterman for the trip. The TV star concluded his show by telling his audience, "Paul (Shaffer) and I were in Afghanistan three years ago, and last year we were in Baghdad. We wouldn't want it any other way. We're sorry we keep having to come back."...
- 12/28/2004
- WENN
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