Dave Chappelle: The Bird Revelation (2017 TV Special) User Reviews

Should provide excellent re-watch value

[Quinoa1984 · 9/10 · 2 January 2018]

What I like about this one - its small club setting making things low key and like he's there just having a conversation with us - is also what keeps it somewhat minor compared to the first New Year's special.

This could change on a second viewing though; highlights include Louis CKs "freckled p***is"; the most compelling argument (maybe once and for all) about why Michael Jackson's allegations were unfounded due to how he showed off his place to the kids; and a complex story about a cold pimp in France in the 40s who he connects in a long and winding way as to why he quit the Chappelle Show and kept a lower profile (that second one is partially why I need to watch it again to let that story sink in more).

Chappelle is still a master here, just more about a lower energy for the most part than usual. It's real and introspective too; if you are expecting the typical stand up you may either get disappointed or thrown off. if you've ever been to an intimate space for comedy, Chappell delivers that. It's like you're there.

Provocative, Unflinching, Funny... In short, Chappelle.

[sdente-57411 · 9/10 · 18 January 2018]

The life of an iconoclastic comedian is not easy. You surf dangerous waves -- Mavericks-sized -- to the point break. Maybe you can be funny with airplane and 'men are from mars' jokes, but what you really want to talk about is the stuff that grates at you, that makes your audience just a little squeamish, that makes you just a little unpopular. In his most intimate special to date, Chappelle handles hot coals with bare hands, dishing the jokes lesser comedians wished they had the talent to write and the balls to actually say. Even edgy comedians perform a practiced progressivism that doesn't dare go beyond the buoys, even if it appears on the surface as raunchy or blue. Ours is a time when what you say is used against you in the court of public opinion, an exceedingly clamorous, outraged, offended, and craven entity. I can only say that I am glad that Chappelle has not acceded to the standard to which most now resign themselves. Still, as a comedian, one dictate looms large above the rest: Be funny. And man does he deliver.

IMDb s

[TheOneThatYouWanted · 9/10 · 26 January 2018]

Thankfully this special is a lot better than the other one he released along side with this. In fact, this looks like a return to form for Dave. But yeah, I love how Dave uses these specials to drop moments of education on us. He is doing an outstanding job of helping to socially reform society. And he does not hold back. When he talks about the neo-women rights movement, he is just being honest. He does not want it to burn out or be some kind of trend. This is beside the point but look at what is happening right now; Hollywood's business as usual is the reason why so many women were treated as third class citizens but now they are trying to get it twisted and hijack the movement and play it off like they are part of the solution. I just hope women don't fall for it. There is an underlining problem people are not allowed to talk about but the day is rapidly approaching when the term "freedom of speech" is no longer restricted.

This one was real

[charles-ahweyevu · 10/10 · 9 January 2018]

I believe this is my favorite of the Netflix specials just because of the low key energy Dave had through out the whole thing and the wisdom he provides. What he says about the sexual allegations was profound to me. Example being of him talking about how some prominent male actors wanted to help the women's causes but instead get ostracize because they themselves also did some sexual harassing/assaulting themselves in their younger days. Then he beautifully draws a parallel with what happened in South Africa's apartheid and how that situation got solved not by ostracizing everyone that contributed to the system but by making a safe space for everyone to confess to what they did(Full disclosure, I don't know if that's true or not. I just took Dave's word for it.) So pretty much saying that that's what women in Hollywood should do. They should make a safe space for men to confess their sins so that they can learn and move on. Then of course the allegory of the iceberg slim's book "Pimp" to why he left the Chappelle show was very profound.

Personally I never knew Dave Chappelle was this intelligent. Don't get me wrong. I never thought the man was stupid. I just thought he was only a talented comedian. But he shows that he's a little bit more than that and that's why this is my favorite of his Netflix stand up.

TL:DR: It is a really good stand up set. Not too many zingers but very interesting watch nonetheless because of the wisdom he speaks on the sexual assaults in Hollywood and also the reason (kindof) of why he left the Chappelle show.

Critics did it again.

[Gdw00 · 10/10 · 13 January 2018]

This piece is one of his best. Well-written, well-spoken, well-acted. A lot of knowledge in one bit, and the critics once again trying to put something good down. Watch it, you won't be disappointed.

Earnest in its thought process even if it is not always funny or correct in what it does

[bob the moo · 11 February 2018]

Not the funniest of the Chappelle Netflix specials, this one has a very slow and serious pace to it; often Chappelle seems to be more animated in his reaction to his jokes than his audience is. Indeed at times his audience seems uncertain how to react to his train of thought. As the headlines had sort of told me beforehand, this special seems Chappelle mull over the #MeToo movement and accusations against famous people - ranging from those raped at the hands of powerful men, through to those who had to listen to someone masturbating on the other end of the phone. I mention this contrast because it is particularly the one that he makes in this show.

In doing so he makes an engaging show which is difficult and a little uncomfortable at times, but has a base in comedy and produces some good laughs. I say some because the show is mostly not that funny, but yet it is engaging. Chappelle himself leans into the material, perhaps more than he can carry off convincingly, but mostly his thoughts ring true as a genuine pondering. Overall it is not that great a show in terms of laughter, but I was engaged by it on the subject matter as well as the comedy.

2018 essential

[morin-a-philippe · 10/10 · 4 February 2018]

This is deep, maybe it's too dark and people are not ready to hear about these subjects in a humorous way, but like he says in it it's important that humorists can talk about controversial subjects. It's important that people can find humour even in the darkest things. I've never seen Dave as open as he is here, he takes risks and it might not talk to your preconceived ideas on sexual equality, racial equality or whatever else you don't agree with him, maybe you'll think he's crude, but it's just an access to the mind of a comedic genius who tries to make sense of the world he lives in with all it's absurdities.

The small intimate setup is perfect for this type of monologue, the proximity with the public procure the intimacy needed to talk of those subject without making it feel disrespectful.

One of the most intelligent show I've seen.

When we look back at 2017-2018 in 20 years, this might be a good insightful moment to look back on in all the craziness.

Simply one of the best stand up acts of all time

[johndrk · 10/10 · 1 September 2019]

The way Chappelle explained how the whole entertainment business works with funny jokes and clever punchlines while also showing his thoughts on #metoo movement on a serious tone puts him as one of the greatest comedian of all time. The final monologue when David explained why he left of a 50 million contract using a metaphor on how Hollywood uses young actresses as a pimp would uses prostitute to his benefit is just amazing

my notes

[FeastMode · 7/10 · 19 August 2019]

Not nearly as funny as equanimity but i like a lot of what he said and his views on things (1 viewing)

Like being in a small club

[jellopuke · 9/10 · 19 February 2018]

Intimate setting and a more down to earth conversation about difficult topics. Worth checking out!

The act that will probably get better with time

[ComedyFan2010 · 7/10 · 19 January 2018]

I was expecting more from the second part of the Netflix special. It was good but not as good as it could be. It seems like it is new material that Dave Chappelle didn't make perfect yet.

There is a lot of humor potential in #metoo movement. And Dave Chappelle made a few good jokes. I am with him that all jokes can be offensive and he should keep on doing them not to be mean but funny.

Some of the parts were really fun. Like Louis CK part as well as Michael Jackson. But most of the time he seems to be talking more than joking. I didn't even get the humor in the closing act that should be the funnest one. The one about the pimp. It wasn't offensive, but I didn't get the pun in it.

Very Engaging.

[colorthekid · 8/10 · 3 July 2019]

Not every comedian would be able to pull off being this low-key. I guess that's Chappelle for you.

Unlike any other comedian.

The Bird Relevation

[MovieJunkie5 · 7/10 · 12 July 2020]

Dave Chappelle tackles serious and sensible issues with a straightforward comedic take on them. It wasn't as good as Equanimity (or Sticks & Stones as that matter) but it continues as a very funny special by one of the best ever in the businness.

Mediocre

[midnightcub · 5/10 · 25 June 2019]

You can tell he has some deep thoughts. And her wraps them in decent jokes. Yet he constantly misses the mark and takes side roads missing the very point he's trying to make.

Genius

[ezragrootboom-79350 · 10/10 · 6 October 2021]

There's something special about watching the master operate at the peak of his powers. This is absolutely brilliant.

Has its moments, but far too serious

[grantss · 5/10 · 30 March 2018]

A stand-up comedy act by Dave Chappelle, recorded in 2017.

Has its moments but a far cry from the early 2000s and Dave Chappelle's heyday. Chappelle's trademark is hilariously funny, irreverent humour, often making fun of racial issues. There's elements of that here, but Chappelle often takes it upon himself to philosophise on issues of the day, including social justice. It's all far too serious.

Quite disappointing, especially if you're a fan of Chappelle's late-90s/early-2000s work.

Poor mans Richard Pryor

[gibbs-18172 · 2/10 · 19 December 2020]

Trying to be shocking and controversial by using language and words that purposely offend , words that really should not be uttered in the 21st century by anyone , no excuses about taking ownership either.

Richard Pryor just didn't do his routine for all round shock value, it was genuine as if he was talking to his neighbour or friend at the pub.

Dave Chappell is here today but wont be remembered in 40/50 years I guarantee it.