In a surprising twist at Hollywood Improv, Paul McCartney made an unexpected appearance during Deon Cole’s comedy show, delighting fans with a brief on-stage performance after the two shared a pre-show smoke session.
The surprise unfolded when Cole, 52, introduced McCartney, 82, to the audience, playfully revealing their shared high state. “I got high with my friend tonight, and we had a good time. Come here. Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for my friend Paul McCartney,” Cole announced, according to a video posted on social media.
Adding a humorous touch, Cole joked about the show’s reception, “I had to smoke, and that’s why this is happening,” he quipped. “And y’all motherf—ers did not give no love to me at all tonight.” A heckler’s comment led Cole to respond sharply, “Shut the f— up!”
McCartney, stepping up to the mic, contributed to the comedic atmosphere by critiquing Cole’s material. “I’ve just been enjoying seeing you working through this material, and you’re right, some of it bombed,” McCartney remarked, prompting laughter from the audience.
Reflecting on his own career, McCartney shared anecdotes of early Beatles performances, recalling how they were once pelted with pennies by audiences. “In the beginning, when we started out, guys used to throw pennies at us,” McCartney said.
Cole later shared the memorable moment on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his gratitude for McCartney’s impromptu visit. “My friend Paul came to watch me work on new material last night. We had a blast,” Cole wrote.
Cole’s new comedy special, “Deon Cole: Ok, Mister,” premiered on Netflix on September 17 and quickly climbed the streaming charts, reaching the top three of the platform’s list of most-watched TV shows in the U.S.
In a follow-up Instagram post, Cole thanked his audience for their support. “Thank you to EVERYONE who has watched, quoted, shared, and enjoyed my new special,” he wrote on September 18. “The love has been enormous and I just want to thank you all!!! Keep watching & spreading the word please??? Thank you!!!”