Everybody Hates Chris Season 2 Episode 15

When Rochelle and Tonya move the bookmark table in front of the exit, Chris's voiceover says, "That was a bigger fire hazard than pyrotechnics at a Great White concert."

On Thursday, 20 February 2003, the 80's glam rock band Great White was performing at The Station, a nightclub in Warwick, RI. As they began their first song the band manager ignited a pyrotechnic display of three spark fountains which started a fire in the soundproofing covering the walls and ceiling. Twenty seconds later, the band's lead singer stopped singing and said, "Wow... this ain't good." The stage was engulfed in flame within one minute. By an incredible coincidence, a news cameraman videotaped the beginning of the fire for a piece on nightclub safety planned for a local television station.

By the time fire engines arrived the building had been reduced to smoking rubble. Ninety-six people died that night and four more over the weeks following the tragedy. Over two hundred were treated for injuries with the last being released from the hospital many months later.

Rhode Islanders are understandably touchy about the subject being portrayed in the media. An episode of Law & Order titled "Blaze" was loosely based on The Station nightclub fire. When broadcast, the local NBC affiliate ran a disclaimer detailing the topic and warning that it may upset viewers. The CSI:Miami episode "Tinder Box" featuring a fatal nightclub fire was blacked out entirely when broadcast in May 2003 and when repeated.

It seems that Everybody Hates Chris was paying a small homage to The Station fire victims at the anniversary of the event.