I will concede that there are limits to good taste.. but something really has to be crass for me to be offended. If a comedian was an obvious misogynist and glorified rape, I would be disgusted. If a comedian riffed on "hilarity" of child abuse, I would get up and walk out. But when a brilliant writer of comedy, with perfect timing and impeccable delivery, that has charisma and a rapport with the audience, has us laughing at ourselves over the idiosyncrasies of our race, gender, religion, economic standing, etc., then I am totally entertained and not the slightest bit offended.. because THIS is what makes comedy comedy! Finding humor in our humanness is the very core of comedy, and has always been the stem from which comedy sprouts.
Chappelle is, as others have pointed out (and I can think of no better descriptive) the Master of stand-up! I laughed my ample derriere off from start to finish - all the while in awe of Dave's brilliant mind. His humor is topical and relevant, and it's obvious, to anyone who doesn't view life as deadpan serious, that he is the consummate "Every-man".. meaning, he has a way of relating to, and appreciating, every kind of human being. That's important in comedy.
A successful comic must have the skill to extract and exploit the nuances of social behavior if they want to make people laugh. If you think you're going to be entertained by a comic getting up on stage and cracking jokes about the weather, or their dog's cute antics.. well, you might chuckle.. but you're not going to choke on your popcorn and laugh so hard that you cry, like you would if he (or she) did a bit about a behavior that is unique to you or your respective group. (For example, how Italians can't talk without making wild hand gestures, or how Canadians punctuate every other statement with an "eh?" We all - most of us, anyway - get a big kick out of seeing someone "do" us). Think of the difference between a caricaturist who over-emphasizes the subject's big ears and jowls, and minimizes his tiny chin - vs a caricaturist who draws a perfect likeness of the subject. The latter is just not funny. (Nor a caricaturist). Representative art can be skillful, but does not usually evoke any emotions. Might as well take a photograph.
I will always choose a Dave Chappelle routine over pretty much any other comedian. He's spectacularly funny, but he's also a man of depth. He brings up the point in this special, about how difficult it is for a performer to say or do anything in today's world without offending someone (and I would like to add, often with life-affecting repercussions). Sadly, he's not wrong. I hope our social climate becomes more tolerable in the near future, and that he returns to the stage to entertain those of us who understand the difference between satire and reality.
Chappelle is, as others have pointed out (and I can think of no better descriptive) the Master of stand-up! I laughed my ample derriere off from start to finish - all the while in awe of Dave's brilliant mind. His humor is topical and relevant, and it's obvious, to anyone who doesn't view life as deadpan serious, that he is the consummate "Every-man".. meaning, he has a way of relating to, and appreciating, every kind of human being. That's important in comedy.
A successful comic must have the skill to extract and exploit the nuances of social behavior if they want to make people laugh. If you think you're going to be entertained by a comic getting up on stage and cracking jokes about the weather, or their dog's cute antics.. well, you might chuckle.. but you're not going to choke on your popcorn and laugh so hard that you cry, like you would if he (or she) did a bit about a behavior that is unique to you or your respective group. (For example, how Italians can't talk without making wild hand gestures, or how Canadians punctuate every other statement with an "eh?" We all - most of us, anyway - get a big kick out of seeing someone "do" us). Think of the difference between a caricaturist who over-emphasizes the subject's big ears and jowls, and minimizes his tiny chin - vs a caricaturist who draws a perfect likeness of the subject. The latter is just not funny. (Nor a caricaturist). Representative art can be skillful, but does not usually evoke any emotions. Might as well take a photograph.
I will always choose a Dave Chappelle routine over pretty much any other comedian. He's spectacularly funny, but he's also a man of depth. He brings up the point in this special, about how difficult it is for a performer to say or do anything in today's world without offending someone (and I would like to add, often with life-affecting repercussions). Sadly, he's not wrong. I hope our social climate becomes more tolerable in the near future, and that he returns to the stage to entertain those of us who understand the difference between satire and reality.