Dave Chappelle is hilarious

[HMS_Irruncible]

@Left_Hand_of_Dorkness

It ain’t that Chappelle lacks comedy chops. It’s that he’s got a dehumanizing view of trans folk, and he uses his comedic expertise to dress that shitty view up and to make it seem more acceptable.

There is this, and there is also the fact that the transphobic routines are almost always stale and recycled.

There’s probably some scope for actually funny edgy routines around transgender topics. Like… any drag show after 10PM is about a zillion times more transgressive than anything Chappelle would ever dream of putting out. But we’re never going to hear the good stuff as long as mainstream comics are content to milk the audience for low-effort 5th-grade laughs.

[RitterSport]

Two things. First, props to @Left_Hand_of_Dorkness for taking all comers clearly and patiently!

Second, @YamatoTwinkie, is that the gag that Chappelle is getting crap for? Because that joke seems to be making fun of anti-trans people.

[Snowboarder_Bo]

@QuickSilver

No, I admitted that I could not do it justice. Someone else came along and offered a much better narrative – a narrative that clearly shows a non-transphobic view of the subject. You appeared to appreciate the expository analysis offered. When asked again if you thought the bit was transphobic, you demurred. Hence my standing belief that explanations of jokes are rarely productive towards improving their humor or understanding.

I saw the edit where you added “or understanding”, which was good because I don’t think I ever claimed that explaining jokes improved their humor, exactly; I said that comedians (and others) can explain why people find things funny.

But why do I have to draw a conclusion when you say so? Why can’t I ask for more information, or more context, or more time to reflect on it? Why do I have to reach conclusion at all? Why are you always seeking to be the arbiter?

[msmith537]

@Left_Hand_of_Dorkness

@msmith537

Everyone is someone else’s “jerk”. The primary rule is to actually be clever and funny.

Interesting. That’s not even close to the primary rule, as far as I’m concerned. The primary rule is to treat other people well and in such a way that people can generally lead the lives they want to lead with dignity.

Everyone is someone else’s “funny.” Being funny is a small part of what a person should try to do; and if the choice is to be funny or to avoid cruelty, choose the latter.

I was speaking about professional comedians.

@Left_Hand_of_Dorkness

@msmith537

I haven’t seen anyone site specific jokes or routines Chappelle does that are “transphobic”.

Seriously? How hard have you looked?

Not very. Mostly just his last special. Nothing really stood out for me as offensive. At least not any more than the rest of his act.

[Ranch_Dip]

@YamatoTwinkie

He also clarified at several points that his friend (who committed suicide) laughed harder than anyone at those jokes, and would have appreciated that last punchline.

Is this akin to “I can’t be racist, I have black friends?”

The thing is, it is clearly offensive to the transpeople at Netflix. Should it be “banned?” Probably not, free speech and all of that. But striking and boycotting are also protected forms of protest. I guess the tipping point will be which side costs netflix and Dave Chappelle the most. The CEO of netflix has already apologized, sort of.

[Push_You_Down]

@Ranch_Dip

Is this akin to “I can’t be racist, I have black friends?”

It is pretty damn close to it, isn’t it?

[ralfy]

Here’s a clip to illustrate the OP’s points.

- YouTube

[puzzlegal]

Well, it illustrates that he has awesome delivery. But half those jokes don’t even hit home, and are just a little “off”. So I’m going to disagree.

I respect his artistry, especially his accents and body language. But having watched that, I have zero interest in watching more.

[Snowboarder_Bo]

@Really_Not_All_That_Bright

I still think the Chappelle’s Show Wayne Brady and black Klansman segments were among the funniest pieces of television ever, and that Chappelle’s stand up is generally unfunny.

I agree with this.

[octopus]

Tastes are subjective and not all his jokes or sketches are going to work or work for everyone but Chappelle is a top tier comedian.

[puzzlegal]

@octopus

Chappelle is a top tier comedian.

I can see that. But he’d be funnier if he spoke about topics he understands better, and cares more about, IMHO.

[Johnny_Q]

Would it be fair to equate Chappelle’s trans jokes to Eddie Murphy’s gay jokes?
I think I could live with that.

[QuickSilver]

Chappelle responds:

- YouTube

[Tfletch1]

@Johnny_Q

Would it be fair to equate Chappelle’s trans jokes to Eddie Murphy’s gay jokes?
I think I could live with that.

I think Eddie Murphy’s gay jokes and AIDS jokes back in the day are more mean-spirited. However, even those are not really denigrating the targets. He simply makes up outlandish situations like if Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton were gay. I just looked at a clip.