I’m familiar with what the Dave Chapelle show is, but I’ve never actually seen it.
I’ve heard a million references to “I’m Rick James Bitch” or “bee-otch”.
What was the skit/routine this came from?
There was something in Boondocks today about it.
On FOX baseball recently, Joe Buck mentioned his passing and said something like “rick james, king of funk, and reintroduced to the younger generation by dave chapelle.”
(is it chappelle with 2 p’s? whatever).
On Chappelle’s Show, Charlie Murphy was telling stories about hanging out with Rick in the 80’s. Dave portrayed Rick by using the catchphrase, “I’m Rick James, bitch!”
I guess he was portraying Rick as full of himself.
If you can explain how Chapelle’s show is somehow funny, I’ll attempt to answer the OP. 
My guess is that he took the common knowledge of James being abusive to women, mixed in a little gangsta- 'tude, and made a go of it. Sort of a nod to Snoop.
Oh, I always thought it was someone else saying “I’m Rick James’s bitch.” Like maybe it was a contest between two lackeys over who his real “bitch” was.
May I use the OP to segue into a question of my own?
I know I’ve heard the phrase referenced when the topic of the Darkness’ song “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” comes up. I’ve listened to the song and watched the video, but I don’t see the connection. Will someone explain that one, too?
Thanks
In the Dave Chappelle skit, Charlie Murphy explains that “Darkness” was Rick James’ nickname for both he and his brother, since they’re dark-skinned.
My guess is that’s how Rick James really was. And everyone knows that Snoop does not say “bitch”. He says “beatch”.
Mild hijack:
Don’t play Xbox LIVE much anymore, but last time I was on, nearly every game had at least one ass-hat screaming “I’m Rick James, BITCH!” every time they did something good in the game.
What’s saddest is that every one of these tools sells it like he came up with the line, himself.
If there’s an upside to carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s that it keeps me off LIVE and away from these guys.
Well, the thing of it is, you should only shout “I’m Rick James, Bitch!” when you’re doing something really foolish or ignorant. Like, punching Charlie Murphy in the forehead while wearing a huge ring, or grabbing the waitresses breasts, or getting mud all over a brand new white-suede couch. He wasn’t just shouting it at random intervals.
Sorry to hijack, but this seems like the right place for the following question.
Also on Chappelle’s show, there’s this bit that involves one guy remarking on some aspect of his day into a phone. In reply to the statement, his companion queries, “what?!” This repeats about a half-dozen times, then they switch roles.
I don’t understand why this is supposed to be funny. Can you help?
I think the one you’re talking about is the joke about Little … excuse me … “Li’l” John. He’s a rapper and has a video where he’s just screaming “OK!” and “WHAT?!” Chappelle has turned this into several skits where he dresses up like the rapper (platinum teeth, dreadlocks, velour track suit, brand new hat) and then will be in everyday situations and only respond with “WHAT?!” or “OK!” Then he breaks with that and gives some kind of deep answer, or asks for directions, or some other hilarious type behavior that breaks with what we as the audience are expecting. I have to say that it is one of my least favorite bits on the show, and I’m sorry to see that it seems to have caught on with the public at large. That’s just the background, since I don’t find it funny either, maybe someone will explain it to the both of us.
I missed Charlie slipping in a side swipe in that story the first time. As explained, Rick James thought that Charlie and Eddie were the blackest brothers on the planet at the time.
Then Charlie adds, “But that was before Wesley Snipes came along.”
My favorite Charlie Murphy was when they got invited back to Prince’s house, and Prince challenged them to basketball, crushed them, then served pancakes.
Before “I’m Rick James, Bitch!” There was the skit about reparations that ended with something like “'cause I’m rich, Bitch!”, so <whatever>, Bitch! is a common theme, as you’ll see if you watch the clip.
You can see “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories” at
http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/chappellesshow/showclips.jhtml?startIndex=19
It’s not just one video. I’m no expert on Li’l John, but I’ve seen him in at least 3 videos, and that’s just his “thing.” I have no idea why.
When I saw Chapelle at the Improv, he finished the show by telling us that he saw Li’l John in Florida, and he’s expanding into Spanish now. “Que?!”
Ok, maybe you had to be there, but it was really funny.
Here’s the Prince one I was talking about. (You must endure a 15 second ad for Celebrity Blackjack).
You can see the aforementioned clips here.
The only explanation I could give is to refer you to pepperlandgirl’s post in this thread:
Heh, man I didn’t even remember that argument.
Good times, good times.
That Charlie Murphy skit is freakin hillarious.