Q&A With Chris Rock

By Lev Grossman

Comedian CHRIS ROCK, shown here dressed as rapper Missy Elliott, will be host of MTV's 2003 Video Music Awards on Aug. 28

You already hosted the VMAs a couple of times. Why do it again?

It's one of these gigs where you get in touch with the "youth culture," so you get to be hip by association. "Hey, I'm next to 50 Cent!"

Are there any ground rules?

I don't take ground-rule gigs. I understand you can't curse, you know? After that, I really don't want to hear it. My ground rules are, I won't curse, and I won't waste your money.

Is it too soon to start doing Kobe material?

It's going to be hard not to at least bring it up. Then again, it's got nothing to do with music. And there's a rape involved, which really is, you know--you really gotta be careful on that.

What are you going to wear?

I don't know too many comedians who are funny enough to worry about their clothes. Show me a guy worried about his clothes, I'll show you a bad show getting ready to happen.

Does it actually help to look sort of dorky?

It helps. Cool is the enemy of funny.

Do you memorize all those jokes?

I don't use prompters. I use prompters for the intro, but because some of this stuff is--I don't want to say mean--but edgy, I really don't put it on the prompter. It prevents record-company people from complaining ahead of time. You don't want Tommy Mottola screaming at you.