Hughley Details Pay Dispute With Chris Rock
The comedian recounted on a Maury Povich interview how Rock's managers earned more than he did from their shared sitcom, The Hughleys.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Comedy
Live Poll
Do you think entertainment companies treat creators fairly when it comes to pay?
D.L. Hughley discussed his long-running feud with Chris Rock on On Par with Maury Povich. Hughley said he learned on The View that Rock and Hughley's managers had received more money from The Hughleys than he had.
Why it matters
The account offers a rare, first-hand look at compensation disputes behind a 1998-2002 sitcom that aired on ABC and UPN. It adds public detail to a feud between two prominent comedians whose careers have been closely watched.
The sitcom The Hughleys ran from 1998 to 2002 on ABC and UPN, with Hughley as star and co-creator and Chris Rock as an executive producer. The available account does not quantify the pay gap, and no response from Rock is reported.
The players
D.L. Hughley
A stand-up comedian and actor who starred in and co-created the sitcom The Hughleys.
Chris Rock
A stand-up comedian and filmmaker who served as an executive producer on The Hughleys.
Maury Povich
A television talk show host whose program On Par with Maury Povich hosted Hughley's interview.
The details
Hughley said he discovered the pay discrepancy while appearing on The View, then called Rock to ask for notes on a script. According to Hughley's account on On Par with Maury Povich, Rock responded with a derogatory remark.
Timeline
The Hughleys aired from 1998 to 2002 on ABC and UPN.
Hughley's interview on On Par with Maury Povich was published on November 2, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The dispute highlights how profit participation and talent compensation on network sitcoms of the late 1990s and early 2000s could leave co-creators earning less than producers and managers. It shows how decades-old deal structures in television continue to surface in later public accounts by performers.
The account gives viewers insight into how The Hughleys was made and how its earnings were split, which may matter to fans revisiting the show. Those interested can look for the sitcom's episodes through the streaming or syndication options available to them.
The takeaway
Compensation arrangements on television shows can shape how creators and performers are paid for years after a series ends. Readers interested in the business side of comedy can follow reporting on how these deals are structured.
Further reading
For more on the comedians involved, browse Comedy coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Complex.
Live Poll
Do you think entertainment companies treat creators fairly when it comes to pay?
