Rock made headlines this week after an interview with Entertainment Weekly where he made disparaging jokes about the Oscar Awards which he likened to a fashion show. "What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one," Rock said in the interview published in the Feb. 4 issue. 

Despite his colorful opinion of the Academy Awards, organizers are standing by their decision to have Rock host the ceremony on Feb. 27. "Chris' comments over the past few weeks are meant to be humorous digs at a show that some people, obviously including Chris himself, think may be a bit too stuffy," producer Cates said in a statement released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Lost in the press controversy over Rock's comments is the fact that he has a new comedy album out this week on Geffen records. The album, his first since 2000, is titled "Never Scared" and contains material from his HBO comedy concert special of the same name. On the album Rock addresses another current headline grabber, Michael Jackson, as well as pokes fun at a variety of other subjects. 

Below is the official press release for the album followed by some clips. 

press release) Chris Rock, the man the New York Times called "the funniest and smartest comedian working today" is back with "Never Scared," his new Geffen Records CD. Culled from his HBO comedy concert special of the same name, the new CD features Rock at his most hilarious, salacious and scandalous. The new album is out February 15. 

The new CD �� Rock�s first since his Grammy-winning "Bigger & Blacker� from 2000 �� not only boasts an hour of flawless stand-up material, but also a string of comic audio sketches and music parodies. Even better for Rock fans, a bonus DVD featuring all kinds of behind-the-scenes footage is also included in the package.

On "Never Scared," the multi-Grammy and Emmy-award winning comedian lives up to the CD title, taking on sacrosanct icons from Michael Jackson to George Bush. He also continues his on-going discourse on men, women, sex and marriage in a hilarious monologue too racy for print.

Throughout his career, Chris Rock has re-defined standup comedy with his smart and incisive takes on race, relationships and society. His "BLACK AMBITION TOUR" ran in 64 cities with over 80 performances. This month, in what surely will be a telecast for the ages, Rock hosts the 77th Annual Academy Awards.

His feature film credits include HEAD OF STATE (his directorial debut), BAD COMPANY, DOWN TO EARTH, DOGMA, NURSE BETTY, LETHAL WEAPON 4 and DR. DOLITTLE. He recently completed production on two films: THE LONGEST YARD with Adam Sandler, and the animated feature MADAGASCAR.

His HBO special "Bigger & Blacker," was taped at Harlem�s Apollo Theatre.  From this came a 2000 Grammy Award for Best Spoken or Comedy Album. Rock�s HBO special, "Bring The Pain" followed his 1994 CableAce Award-winning HBO special "CR BIG ASS JOKES." The special was honored with two 1997 Emmy Awards for Best Writing and Outstanding Special. 

"Bring the Pain" has seen life beyond HBO. DreamWorks Records released a home video (with additional footage) as well as a Grammy Award-winning CD. 

"The Chris Rock Show" on HBO received an Emmy Award for Best Writing, and will return for another season later this year. Rock�s debut book, Rock This, (Hyperion, 1997) spent time on both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. 

Chris Rock grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He had two idols: boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and comedian Eddie Murphy.  He realized early in life the career for which he was headed.  Says Rock, "I can�t fight, so..."  Honing his comedic skills on the comedy club circuit, he soon realized a long-held dream when he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 1989 for a three-year tenure. And today, all these years later Chris Rock is, as Vanity Fair described him, "the funniest man in America." 

Clips from "Never Scared" (for mature listeners only). 

Michael Jackson 
Real People of Ignorance (Rap Star) 
Real People of Ignorance (Tattoo)
 

Purchase Chris Rock's CDs