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# Chris Rock And Prince Try To Shake Up ‘SNL’

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/vjdasXxx.m3u8" -->
## Video: Chris Rock And Prince Try To Shake Up ‘SNL’

[Watch (HLS stream): Chris Rock And Prince Try To Shake Up ‘SNL’](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/vjdasXxx.m3u8) (1:19)

![Chris Rock And Prince Try To Shake Up ‘SNL’](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vjdasXxx/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2014-11-02. 'SNL’ alum Chris Rock made his first return to the show since 1996, but critics say it wasn’t so triumphant._


---

Jul 27, 2023 5:27 PM UTC

---

## More From This Series

[All Videos](https://time.com/video/)

[Late-Night Highlight: Cheri Oteri Explains Why She Wasn't In 'SNL 40'](/video/2BOEhgAQ/)

### Late-Night Highlight: Cheri Oteri Explains Why She Wasn't In 'SNL 40'

[SNL Promo: Chris Pratt](/video/TGyxq9Hl/)

### SNL Promo: Chris Pratt

[10 Questions for Chris Rock](/video/zDf2gZYF/)

### 10 Questions for Chris Rock

---


## Transcript

Critics of Saturday Night Live, who have called the show stale in the past, may have hoped for a shake up. With edgy acts like Chris Rock hosting, and Prince as the musical guest. And the monologue made that seem likely as well. Well that Boston marathon was scary. You've been training for a year you finally get to the finish line, and somebody screams, " Run ". Rock joked not only the Boston Marathon bombings, but also about the freedom tower and gun control. But despite those controversial topics a writer for the AV club says the show still managed to fall flat. Rock's hosting gig only showcased the fact that he's.

He's really not suited for sketch comedy, as he blew a shocking number of lines, and never stepped enough out of himself to inhabit any of the characters he was given. The expectations may have been even higher, considering Rock is a former cast member. And this was his first time hosting the show since 1996. But the highly anticipated Prince did not disappoint, busting out an eight minute set in the middle of the show and. Instead of two individual songs. The ever enigmatic and famously parodied musician. Game. Blouses. Played three songs in a row to an enthusiastic crowd. He grabbed headlines like this from the New York Times.

Prince hijacks eight minutes on SNL. Now the show will have to wait another two weeks before any attempt to bounce back with Woody Harrelson hosting and rapper Kendrick Lamar providing the music.

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