Television Netflix announces 3 new Dave Chappelle comedy specials
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Why is it such a big deal if you were to do that? They are just regular people like anybody else. Chappelle has been told and criticized that he's not allowed to make fun of them etc. and as a comedian, he's going to explore that boundary.
Well for starters trans people don’t have the same legal rights as you and me. They don’t have access to healthcare like you and me. They are constantly treated terribly by cops. As we speak, multiple states are looking for ways to ban them from accessing basic healthcare. The list is endless.
Which is all bad. Obviously.
He's just not that funny any more.
Sure, it’s a spectrum and within it you find all sorts. What reaction do you expect from a comic who thinks he’s being unfairly labelled a transphobe though? Laughing it off is to be expected. And if someone critiquing him thinks he’s a transphobe, why would they be shocked and surprised to find such a person is laughing it off, or ironically using the label themselves?
I just find it puzzling that this was mentioned in the post, as it’s either missing the point, or it’s making a big deal of something totally expected, and that’s not really part of his punches, merelt a reaction to the reaction he’s been getting.
Anyway, I do agree that it’s disappointing that none of the feedback he’s been getting gives him pause, and that he’s gone out of his way to hold on to the subject matter. And it’s rich for him to say the trans community isn’t listening to him, and that he’s mainly mentioned them as a contrast to how black America is doing. That’s disingenuous. This all started as some sort of "aren’t they weird?!" bit on his part, so I definitely agree with him getting some pushback.
I don't recall saying all comedians.
Yep. His basically too rich and famous to come up with anything decent anymore. The Chappelle show is his best work and it's still a pretty amazing sketch show but at least for me anyway he was never one of the best stand ups of all time or even of his generation.
This big debate people are having over it is a bit odd because the two sides arguing against each pretty much agree that it was a poor unfunny special. And if the clown isn't funny who gives a shit what he has to say.
My main beef with him is that comedians like Dave Chappelle — who made their name by discussing difficult and controversial topics in the form of a stand up, simply have to do their due diligence on that topic. He clearly didn't, so he comes across as lazy and ignorant even if not really malicious — and, to add insult to injury, his special simply isn't that funny either (just like any stand up that still does generic bits on cancel culture nowadays).
Acaster though
Acaster though
My main beef with him is that comedians like Dave Chappelle — who made their name by discussing difficult and controversial topics in the form of a stand up, simply have to do their due diligence on that topic. He clearly didn't, so he comes across as lazy and ignorant even if not really malicious — and, to add insult to injury, his special simply isn't that funny either (just like any stand up that still does generic bits on cancel culture nowadays).
Acaster though
Indeed. Confusing gender and sex certainly undermines the notion that his opinion should be heard.
I mean if you don’t find Dave Chappelle funny or aren’t interested in what he has to say then just don’t watch him 
Tbh you kind of have to watch him to find out if he isn't funny or hasn't anything interesting to say.
I believe their is already enough material out there to decide that by now.
Well, he was very funny at some point. Less so, but still funny after that. I wasn’t watching it knowing that I wouldn’t like it obviously.I mean if you don’t find Dave Chappelle funny or aren’t interested in what he has to say then just don’t watch him
Hmmm
It's really sad that this seems to be the hill he wants to die on.
I literally grew up on Chappelle and he was my first, and perhaps only comedic idol. Like, I knew of him from his Def Comedy Jam days and the appearances in Blue Streak and Nutty Professor in the late-90s. I saw Killin Em Softly and For What It's Worth multiple times, I would torrent Chappelle's Show the day after it was aired in the US back in the early-noughties, heck I even bought Seasons 1 and 2 of it on DVD from Amazon despite me knowing I didn't have a region-free DVD player. And when I was old enough and he started touring internationally again, I've been to 2 of his shows and will be going to the 3rd one next week.
But his Netflix specials haven't been of the same level. The closest and only genuinely good-great one was 8:46 and that wasn't even on Netflix.
The worst thing is, I know the old Dave is there, deep inside. The one who was funny, insightful, and melancholic in one package. Who wasn't afraid to put his head above the parapet even if it cost him materially. The old Dave wouldn't have bothered with at least half of the material he's put in these Netflix specials. And yet, this Dave has.
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/09/dave-chappelle-letter-trans-comedian-netflix
Came across the youtube video in a comments section and felt it was there was some pretty decent criticism of the show as well as talking about some of the context around the reef stuff. Personally felt she was a bit too easy on him for his lack of understanding around the issue and how he went about it, Chapelle pointing out that he's been getting criticism for around 16 years for some of his jokes but is still using jokes he doesn't need to.
Some interesting points about discussions that need to be had and around lbtq+ issues and non-white voices not necessarily being heard as much.
Guardian article was linked in the comments section which went in on him just a little bit harder.
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Yeah, this is where I stand. It's just so unnecessary and unbecoming of him.
Having never seen anything from Dave Chapelle before, I thought I'd give this a go so I can get more background for all this controversy.
Firstly, I'm 20 minutes in and it's terrible.
Secondly, which is nearly just as annoying as Chapelle slagging gay people (I haven't even gotten to the transgender parts yet), how 'easy' is this audience? They're cracking up at every half sentence he speaks, with someone in the crowd wailing with laughter each time. I guess that comes with being one of the most famous comedians in the world, but my god is it annoying.
Firstly, I'm 20 minutes in and it's terrible.
Secondly, which is nearly just as annoying as Chapelle slagging gay people (I haven't even gotten to the transgender parts yet), how 'easy' is this audience? They're cracking up at every half sentence he speaks, with someone in the crowd wailing with laughter each time. I guess that comes with being one of the most famous comedians in the world, but my god is it annoying.
You find it annoying that people are laughing at a comedy show?
Yeah I realise it sounds thick - I guess it's mostly cause I'm not finding it funny, so these people cracking up with his every utterance grates a bit.
Fair enough mate, I see what you mean.
I can't watch stand-up for more than 10-15 minutes if I'm not finding it funny.
What seats do you have?
To your second bolded: you should be in for a very interesting show as he'll no doubt address the outcry.
Dave really needs to listen to himself.
Or people need to understand he's aware no-one should be taking what he says seriously? As a comedian in his act since its literally meant as a joke, or outside of his act because his opinion is worth no more than any other.
I agree with you that no one should take anything Chappelle says seriously
but sadly Dave disagrees.
8 46 pretty much has zero jokes, it's not a stand up show and there's plenty of times in this show where Chappelle stops telling jokes and instead puts forward social commentary and wants the audience to take him seriously. The biggest problem with his recent specials isn't the conservative social views(He's a very rich famous guy after all) but his piss poor jokes. To the point where it seems like a lot of social commentary of the last few years has been padding to make up for the lack of good material.
Like a ton of other comedians he has just got old, grumpy, out of touch and boring.
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/09/dave-chappelle-letter-trans-comedian-netflix
Came across the youtube video in a comments section and felt it was there was some pretty decent criticism of the show as well as talking about some of the context around the reef stuff. Personally felt she was a bit too easy on him for his lack of understanding around the issue and how he went about it, Chapelle pointing out that he's been getting criticism for around 16 years for some of his jokes but is still using jokes he doesn't need to.
Some interesting points about discussions that need to be had and around lbtq+ issues and non-white voices not necessarily being heard as much.
Guardian article was linked in the comments section which went in on him just a little bit harder.
Great video that (unsurprisingly) worded the issues that I've had with this special way better than I did.
how many modern comedians make racist, homophobic or antisemetic jokes these days? Do we not cringe when we see this kind of humour from comedians from the 70s and 80s?
I can’t remember who but I still hear race and religious jokes. Not a big thing, if it’s funny audience laughs and move on.
This dictation about what we can and can’t find funny or joke about is what needs to get cancelled. Humour is what separates us from other animals and the ability to appreciate dark or offensive humour and detach it from reality is a great gift that I won’t be allowing an ignorant minority to deprive me of.
so you’re saying racist jokes are ok?
If it’s part of a diverse standup act then yes. I think most people have the intelligence to realise when a person is making stereotype jokes due 1) to his/her experience 2) area they grew up in and friends 3) Current news vs when someone is simply being a jerk and expressing what they think.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/10/dave-chappelle-the-closer/620364/
Nice article from the Atlantic attempting to be the voice of reason.
Nice article from the Atlantic attempting to be the voice of reason.
What is it’s not diverse and just 3 specials beating us over the head about the same thing?
I suspect the a lot of people in the transcommunity will be unsurprised at Helen Lewis' defence of Chappelle on his trans comments and sceptical as to the idea of her being "the voice of reason" given she has previously:
- Been repeatedly accused of transphobia.
- Written columns about attending meetings of Woman' Place UK (an organisation who have variously been described as a "hate group", "a clearly transphobic organisation", "the most well-known grassroots anti-trans feminist group".)
- Claimed that acceptance of transgender people’s right to self-identify means that women are unable to “challenge someone with a beard exposing their penis in a women’s changing room”.
- Strongly criticised proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act as “gender’s version of Brexit” and a “radical rewriting of our understanding of identity”, asserting that “a man can’t just say he has turned into a woman”.
- Described the transgender rights movement as "the imperial overreach of a handful of trans activists, in trying to rewrite widely accepted ideas about gender by stealth,”.
- Said trans activism “has done nothing to improve the lives of trans people.”
- Claimed the word "TERF" was a glorification of misogyny.
- In an interview with Jordan Peterson stated: “I don’t believe you can be a man born in a woman’s body or a woman born in a man’s body. What I believe is that there are some people who feel alienation towards their bodies”.
- Was removed as a voice actor from the Ubisoft game Watch Dogs: Legion for her remarks about gender identity.
I'm gonna say she has a dog in this fight already.
damn you caught me at the wrong time. I just blazed a fat doobie and am unable to sufficiently reply to your post. I will respond once sober. This is the first time I'm hearing about this writer and will do some research.
More posts on here should start this way.
Edit: Should just say as well, wasn't particularly arguing with you, her past comments don't mean she can't be right in this instance anyway. Moreso just saying that I would guess a lot of people are primed not to listen to her.
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If you think a successful white comedian could get away with racist humour simply because of their experience with black people, having grown up in a black neighbourhood or having black friends then you’re living on another planet.
think the difference is you can buy your favourite artists music simply to support them but its hard to force yourself to laugh. You either do find something funny or you don't. People will go to their fav music acts simply for nostaligia but comedians is different as they have to get laughs or people won't pay anymore. You can see how some greats of the past aren't really doing much anymore which is just a sign of the times. I agree that most people who like Dave's work probably are older as they come from a less hypersensitive generation where you could be a bit dark with it
. So of course you are correct in that comedians typically have their "eras." Eventually he too may die out. That said his story telling and delivery will always be there. Who are your favourite comedians out of interest?