Celebrity Extra: Chris Rock
By Dana Jackson
Q: What has Chris Rock been doing since he was attacked by Will Smith at the Oscars? Does he talk about it publicly at all? -- E.M.
A:Actor/comedian Chris Rock has remained relatively quiet since Oscar-winning actor Will Smith smacked him in anger at the Oscars last year. Rock has reportedly turned down offers to host the upcoming ceremony in 2023, choosing instead to focus on his roots: stand-up comedy. He was already set to tour when the incident happened -- and ticket sales soared -- but he told his audience in Boston last March, "I'm still processing what happened."
Chris Rock
On March 4 at 10 p.m. ET, subscribers can watch a new Chris Rock comedy special in Netflix's first ever live-streamed event. I'm willing to bet he comments, or even jokes, about the slap, because he's already referenced it in past performances in other cities. For example, in Phoenix this past August, he told his audience that not only did he turn down a chance to host the Oscars again, but that he also rejected an offer to appear in a Super Bowl commercial. He also admitted that the slap hurt, obviously, referencing how Smith once played Muhammad Ali in a movie.
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Q: I really enjoy the Korean legal drama on Netflix about a lawyer named Woo. Is the lead actress autistic in real life, like her character? -- L.D.
A: "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" stars Park Eun-bin as a young attorney named Woo Young-woo who is on the autism spectrum. She "boasts a high IQ, an impressive memory and a wonderfully creative thought process, but she struggles with everyday interactions." It's not just a legal drama; it's also very endearing and whimsical, making it more of a dramedy.
Park is not autistic in real life and initially felt conflicted about taking the role. She told ENA (the distributor of the series in Korea) that she "met with a professor to ask for advice ... and learned some general characteristics of people with autism." Her talent is widely respected in her home country, having received Gallup Korea's Actor of the Year award in 2022.
Viewers have been bingeing all 16 episodes of "Attorney Woo" and are asking for more. According to DigitalSpy.com, it's the eighth most watched non-English series of all time on Netflix, and it's expected to be renewed for a second season.
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Q: Is it true that the actor who plays Rip on "Yellowstone" is a redhead in real life? Does he dye his hair for the part, or does he wear a wig? -- L.E.
A: Cole Hauser has been around in Hollywood for decades, and those familiar with his work probably find him unrecognizable as Rip Wheeler on "Yellowstone." The actor told Jenny McCarthy on her radio show that the decision to dye his hair and beard black was mainly because Beth (Kelly Reilly), his love interest on the show, "is a ginger, and I'm ginger as well."
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(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.