classicsoncall Review of Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer

Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023 TV Special)

"If you tell those jokes exactly how they're written, you and the kids should be fine."

[7/10 · 11 January 2024]

The fact that Dave Chappelle has another comedy special on Netflix highlights the fact that he more than survived the last controversy with 'The Closer', and is ready to resume his status as a contentious stand-up comic. I thought he really had something to say in his prior special, challenging the woke culture to really listen to his words instead of flailing aimlessly at what they thought he said. With that, he took a hit at the transgender community with that comparison to Jim Carrey channeling Andy Kaufman while filming "Man in the Moon". From there, he offered his take on the Will Smith/Chris Rock incident with multiple mentions, while cracking himself up repeatedly throughout his performance. A similar attack while appearing on stage in Los Angeles led him to consider the current climate for comedians doing edgy material, while setting up the audience for a Chris Rock response that brought the house down. If I were to be offended by any of the material here, it would have to be his take on handicapped people, as his characterization seemed inappropriate in a way that's different from his usual targets.