Over the weekend, Chris Rock returned to his “Saturday Night Live” stomping grounds. While his performance in the sketches got mixed reviews, it’s his stand-up routine during the monologue that had people talking.

Some viewers took issue with his jokes about Elon Musk, Jake Paul and Luigi Mangione, questioning his stand up skills. Others wondered if he even wanted to be there.

One person explained that they no longer felt the same draw to the comedian, writing on X, “I don’t know if I’ve changed or he’s changed, but Chris Rock isn’t really all that funny to me anymore. He used to have me rolling. But now the most he gets from me is an occasional slight grin.”

I don’t know if I’ve changed or he’s changed, but Chris Rock isn’t really all that funny to me anymore. He used to have me rolling. But now the most he gets from me is an occasional slight grin.

— James St. Fatrick (@peerless68) December 15, 2024

Someone else noted that the “Rustin” actor appeared different, posting, “I really wanted to laugh but Chris didn’t seem himself.”

I really wanted to laugh but Chris didn’t seem himself.

— dh (@thebonafortuna) December 16, 2024

As previously reported by The Root, Rock suddenly left a recent private stand up show when he thought he was being recorded. It’s possible his lack of stage presence during the monologue was related to what happened at his previous event.

In the eight minute set, he joked about South African billionaire Musk being the “richest African-American in the world.” He laughed that Musk and President-elect Donald Trump would deport people on a rocket called “Space-Mex.” He then made comments about New York Mets superstar Juan Soto being paid $700 million. These questionable jokes combined with the former “SNL” cast member’s unimaginative delivery had some calling him “washed.”

Of course, there will always be a reference to The Slap, with one person writing, “I know I’m so wrong for this but Chris Rock’s SNL monologue has me wishing Will Smith had hit him harder. Does anyone know where Will Smith is? It might be time for an encore.”

I know I’m so wrong for this but Chris Rock’s SNL monologue has me wishing Will Smith had hit him harder. Does anyone know where Will Smith is? It might be time for an encore.

If this joke offended you, that’s a you problem but I know a guy who can make it so you never saw it… pic.twitter.com/C4CyQNYjio

— Mellanie (@ThatBrashBlonde) December 15, 2024

It seems Rock is finding himself under a microscope similar to his comedy contemporary Dave Chappelle. Critics have been complaining about Chappelle’s reliance on offensive jokes about the transgender community for years, claiming that he doesn’t seem to have the same creative energy that he was once known for.

Are these comedy legends truly “washed,” or have they just failed to adapt to a newer performing style. In recent specials from Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart, we’ve seen them blend real world, emotional situations into their routines. We’re not saying this is the answer to all their problems, because Foxx’s new special “What Had Happened Was…” received mixed reviews from fans. When Rock tried this while addressing the Oscars slap, it clearly wasn’t his strong suit, so that may explain why he went back to a well-worn, familiar style.

The issue really comes down to the performer’s strengths. As talented as Foxx is, he’s always been a better actor than stand up performer, while Rock is the opposite. It remains to be seen who will figure out how to adapt their comedy to appeal to a new generation of fans who want more than someone standing on a stage telling controversial jokes, but if Rock and Chappelle aren’t even going to try, they will become comedy dinosaurs.