Jamie Foxx is making his return to stand-up on his own terms—and that apparently does not include sitting down with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Foxx explained why he has no plans to appear on the popular podcast, pointing to an internet culture that increasingly rewards controversy and viral moments.
For Foxx, that pressure can push guests toward saying things that generate attention rather than having meaningful conversations.
“It seems like you get in trouble,” Foxx said of the podcast environment.
“It seems like if you don’t say something really crazy, you can’t really affect the algorithm.”
The comedian and actor said he has watched other high-profile interviews on the platform generate major online fallout, including Katt Williams’ widely discussed appearance.
Foxx’s comments come as he prepares to release “Take Care Of Yourself,” his new comedy special, which is scheduled to premiere Wednesday, October 7, on Hulu and Disney+.
Rather than chase a viral interview moment, Foxx appears more interested in controlling what he says and how his comedy is presented.
That approach also extends to the material he chooses to put onstage.
Foxx specifically discussed a controversial joke about George Floyd delivered by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during The Roast of Kevin Hart on Netflix.
Foxx said he “didn’t like” the material and indicated that moments like that have influenced the jokes he decided to keep or remove from his own upcoming special.
The conversation arrives during a significant period in Foxx’s career. After spending much of the past two years recovering from an undisclosed medical emergency, the entertainer has gradually returned to the public spotlight.
His comeback has included more conversations about his recovery, aging and where he is in his career, but Take Care Of Yourself represents a particularly notable return to stand-up.
Foxx has spent decades moving between comedy, music and acting, making his latest special less about simply returning to the stage and more about showing audiences where he is now.
And while viral podcasts may be built for clips, controversy and algorithms, Foxx is making it clear that he doesn’t need one to make his comeback count.
