Chris Redd, a name synonymous with vibrant comedy and charismatic energy, has captivated audiences across various platforms, from stand-up stages to prime-time television, most notably during his memorable tenure on Saturday Night Live. Known for his bright smile and insightful humor, Redd has recently embarked on a new venture that blends his comedic talent with an unexpected passion: cars.
Netflix has unveiled a reboot of a beloved franchise, Resurrected Rides, a spiritual successor to MTV’s iconic Pimp My Ride. With Redd at the helm, this new series injects humor and heart into the world of automotive restoration. In a recent interview, Redd shared his journey to hosting this unique show, his growing interest in the automotive world, and what viewers can expect from Resurrected Rides.
From Freestyle Rap to Car Transformations: The Road to “Resurrected Rides”
Reflecting on his diverse career path, Redd connects the dots between his early passion for rap, his foray into improv comedy, and his current role hosting Resurrected Rides. He explains, “Well, they — none of them were connected, directly, but they all have a sense of ‘coming off the top.’ I’ve always loved to create off the top of the dome.” This improvisational spirit, honed through freestyle rapping and comedy, became a guiding principle in his career choices.
Initially drawn to comedy as a new creative outlet, Redd sought avenues where his existing skills could give him an advantage. “When I got into comedy, I was just looking for things that I thought I might have a leg up in, ‘cause there was so much about comedy that I was learning for the first time.” He found a parallel between improv and freestyling, recognizing them as different expressions of the same creative muscle. This mindset allowed him to quickly learn and excel in the world of comedy.
The opportunity to host Resurrected Rides came as a surprising yet natural progression. When approached about the Pimp My Ride reboot, Redd’s initial reaction was laced with humor and practicality. “Alright, but look: there were a lot of lawsuits, and your boy can’t get sued out here — I ain’t got that money, man!” His concerns were met with understanding and a commitment to create a show that aligned with his comedic style and values.
Netflix producers assured Redd that Resurrected Rides would embrace his humor and focus on genuine transformations that extend beyond the cameras. “Everybody was super dope about making this show [with] my style of humor and bringing humor to the forefront of it, and [about] us doing cool last things to the cars that can actually last past the show.” The show distinguishes itself by prioritizing meaningful upgrades over fleeting gimmicks. Redd playfully emphasizes this point: “There’s no fish tanks, you know, the fish community can chill. There’s not gonna be any fish tanks, man.” Instead, Resurrected Rides focuses on impactful improvements that genuinely benefit the car owners and their families.
Becoming a Car Guy in Training
While hosting a car show, the question naturally arises: Is Chris Redd a car enthusiast? Redd candidly describes himself as a “car guy in training.” He admits, “Yeah, I’m a car guy in training, my dude! Like, I f*ck with cars now, you know, I just can’t build one. I want to get there one day though!” His interest in cars is genuine and growing, even if his mechanical expertise is still developing. He envisions a future where he can indulge in hands-on car projects, stating, “I wanna be old, come out to my driveway, and just be building a ‘69 that I’ve had for 15 years or some shit.”
Currently, Redd’s car skills are focused on the essentials. “Right now I can do basics, you know? If the tire’s flat, I could change the tire. I could do all the basic, ‘survival’ shit.” However, his experience on Resurrected Rides is expanding his automotive knowledge. “I learned a bit more on the show, and that’s a part of it too.” He humorously acknowledges his position as the least knowledgeable car expert on the show, “…cause I’m the ‘car guy’ that knows the least about cars out of all the people on the show — and I should, you know?” This self-awareness and willingness to learn adds to his relatable and engaging hosting style.
Redd also appreciates the convenience of professional car services, joking about the pleasure of paying for expertise. “Oh, it’s so nice to be able to pay for a service and then be like, *British accent* oh thank you very much. I love it.”
More Than Just a Makeover: The Heart of “Resurrected Rides”
Resurrected Rides distinguishes itself from its predecessor by emphasizing genuine human connection and heartfelt stories alongside the car transformations. Redd explains, “Yeah, I mean, I get a little bit more hands on in the garage, which is fun. We do some pranks — I roast the hell out of these cars, because they are in terrible shape — but then we help these folks.” The show balances humor with genuine empathy for the car owners.
A key element of the show is the “ride-arounds,” where Redd interviews the car owners to understand their needs and stories. “We do these ride-arounds where I get to, basically, interview this person. That’s the way that I come up with some ideas that would be fun for their truck or their car.” These conversations inspire the creative customizations that the mechanics then bring to life. “Then, I share that with the mechanics, and they put their genius together and make some super cool shit.”
Redd emphasizes the show’s core values: “So, I mean, it’s the same kind of heart [as Pimp My Ride]. We’re helping out families and we’re helping out people, real people, who couldn’t really do this without us. That’s what really drew me to the show, more than anything.” This focus on helping deserving individuals resonated deeply with Redd, especially considering his own experiences with older, less reliable vehicles. “Like, I’ve only had ‘99s and under. So, to see people get cars that mean a lot to them, like, remixed and glossed up, was really nice. It’s just super cool.”
Dream Road Trip Rides from “Resurrected Rides”
When asked about his favorite car from the series for a cross-country road trip, Redd surprisingly leans towards vans. “Yo, okay, so… I don’t like vans — like big vans — but there are a couple vans on this I’d be in between, just because of how awesome they turned out.” He admits his initial skepticism towards vans, “I’ll tell you, I was like, ‘Gross, who would drive this new?’ And then, after they were done, I was like, ‘Oh.. I don’t know if I can give this back to you! They can find another van, I think.’” The transformations on Resurrected Rides are so impressive that they have even changed Redd’s perception of vehicle types he previously disliked.
His choice highlights the practical and experiential aspects of road trips. “It just had me thinking about road trips. I grew up on road trips, you know? It’s not just about, like, how the car drives. It’s about what it can do, how it can satisfy your trip — and your life — along the way.” For Redd, the ideal road trip car is not just about performance but also about comfort, functionality, and creating lasting memories.
From SNL to Netflix: Navigating Culture and Comedy
Reflecting on his time on Saturday Night Live during a politically charged era, Redd shares insights into the challenges and surreal moments of that period. “It was interesting, man, you know? I mean, I feel like now, we’re in a time where we have to hear everybody’s opinion about every single thing, all the time.” He describes the amplified intensity of public discourse during the Trump presidency, especially for a show known for political satire.
Redd recounts the pervasive nature of the political climate, “It just sounded like we were in an echo chamber of Trump, because everybody was doing Trump, everybody had a take on Trump. Trump was everywhere. It was just like a lot, bro — it felt like I was inside of a red hat.” Despite the intensity, he also acknowledges the comedic potential of the situation, “On the other side of it, he’s hilarious. So, there’s a plethora of stuff.”
One particularly surreal aspect was the former president’s direct responses to SNL skits. “Every time we’d crack jokes, he would respond, and it was like, ‘I feel like the President of the United States should not respond to shit like this.’” This unprecedented interaction blurred the lines between political satire and reality.
Beyond “Resurrected Rides”: Music, Comedy, and Future Projects
Looking ahead, Redd confirms that he continues to pursue his diverse creative passions, including music and comedy. “Yes, I’m still doing music — just for the record, I do all of this stuff, all of the time. [I] just shift when things are at the forefront. I’m always making music, even if you’re not hearing it.” He is exploring new musical directions, including comedy music for an Audible project.
Redd is also involved in other exciting projects, mentioning a collaboration with Phil Augusta on a project that aligns with his creative vision. “I’m working on another project right now, that I’m really excited about, with Phil Augusta and some folks. It’s good, it’s super cool. I don’t know how much I can say on it yet, but… it’s everything I’ve wanted to make.” He hints at a direction that resonates with his pre-taped segments on SNL, promising more details in the future.
In his daily life, Redd maintains a consistent creative rhythm. “But my day-to-day is the same as it’s always been, man: I write every single day; I’m always creating; I’m always doing stand-up; I’m working on these projects and writing some new stuff.” He also humorously acknowledges the ever-evolving landscape of online content creation, “I’m trying to figure out this Internet shit like I’m some old man. I just keep throwing content in the algorithm.”
Resurrected Rides is currently streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a blend of automotive transformation, humor, and heartfelt stories, all guided by the energetic and engaging Chris Redd.
