Dave Chappelle: The Bird Revelation

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.

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.

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

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

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.