Dave Chappelle's Obsession With Mocking Trans People Continues in New Netflix Special 'The Dreamer': 'I Love Punching...

[demmiblue]

Dave Chappelle’s Obsession With Mocking Trans People Continues in New Netflix Special ‘The Dreamer’: ‘I Love Punching Down’

The comedian’s newest special, “The Dreamer,” debuted on Netflix on Dec. 31, and largely focuses on his early years in entertainment and how he manifested his success. But he floods the first 12 minutes of the set revisiting his favorite target in recent years: Transgender people.

Chappelle opens the special by telling a story about visiting Jim Carrey while he was shooting the 1999 film “Man on the Moon,” where the actor famously went method on set while portraying comedian Andy Kaufman. Dave recalls being “very disappointed” that he spent the day speaking to Carrey pretending to be Kaufman, ending by saying, “That’s how trans people make me feel.”

He then addressed the controversy surrounding his anti-trans material, saying, “If you guys came here to this show tonight thinking that I’m going to make fun of those people again, you’ve come to the wrong show. I’m not fucking with those people anymore. It wasn’t worth the trouble. I ain’t saying shit about them. Maybe three or four times tonight, but that’s it. I’m tired of talking about them. And you want to know why I’m tired of talking about them? Because these people acted like I needed them to be funny. Well, that’s ridiculous. I don’t need you. I got a whole new angle coming. You guys will never see this shit coming. I ain’t doing trans jokes no more.”

He then said he was going to transition to joking about “handicapped” people instead because “they’re not as organized as the gays. And I love punching down.”

https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/dave-chappelle-the-dreamer-netflix-trans-jokes-1235852073/

[sakabatou]

1. Chappelle is an asshole through and through

[badhair77]

2. Mocking trans people, "maybe three or four times,"

As if he’s not doing it, he’s disgusting and needs an attitude adjustment. He used to be really funny but I can’t stand to look at him anymore.

[edisdead]

120. Same here he sucks.

[viva la]

3. I never find these comics funny.

I always feel like I'm missing something... what is funny about these mean guys?

Then again, I was told that my problem is I think comedy has to be funny. I guess "transgressive' is enough to be comedy for a lot of audiences. "Shock" often startles a laugh out of us, so I guess that makes some sense.

But I think maybe I'll just rewatch some Dick Van Dyke show reruns.

[GoCubsGo]

154. The whole "shock" thing is just cover for being a hateful asshole.

Chappelle is like Trump. He says what a a lot of certain people want to hear. Both are bullies who punch down, and are proud of it. As long as Chappelle has an audience, he'll keep spewing this shit, and unfortunately, there are enough other hateful assholes out there to keep him in business indefinitely.

If you want some good antidote to Chappelle-type so-called "humor," go to YouTube and look up Hal Sparks. His stand-up is hysterical (and non-political.) And, his daily "shows" and weekly radio show, while political, are highly informative, and very optimistic.

[viva la]

157. Thanks!

It's i nteresting he has both political and non-political. Of course, political humor gets old quickly, as new events happen. Non-political humor has more staying power.

[GoCubsGo]

164. Yeah, sometimes it's also hard to keep up with it.

Al Franken is re-running the interview he had with Patton Oswald. In it, Patton explains why doesn't make Trump jokes, and that's the exact reason. As he put it, Trump is the crazy guy who takes a dump on the sidewalk, and before you can get your joke out, he's taken his poo, made a pinata out of it, and put it on his head. KInd of prophetic now, considering the "Trump stinks" revelation. The whole interview is pretty fun, and a good insight into political and other humor. I'm sure Hal has a very similar philosophy as Patton when it comes to the political humor:

https://www.alfranken.com/listen/best-of-patton-oswalt-is-greataudience.

[NotVeryImportant]

4. Something tells me he's not mocking trans people.

I'll take a look tonight.

[yardwork]

8. Really? What do you think he's doing?

[NotVeryImportant]

11. He's making a humurous observation of modern life.

As he, and every other comedian, does.

[Oneironaut]

19. What is the observation? That trans women can't wait to go to a women's prison to commit rape?

It’s disgusting. Right wingers are vilifying trans people with the same smears Dave Chapelle is repeating, and, it’s gross.

[BootOutTheGoons]

25. Allegedly

What he says lacks humor and is as truthful as what Stinky Trump says. So they are indeed "humorous observations" outside of being funny or true

[WhiskeyGrinder]

28. Can you explain what's funny about saying that trans people are acting or pretending? I don't get it.

[NotVeryImportant]

30. Can you quote Dave Chappelle on that?

I don't recall where he said that.

Thank you.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

31. Right there in the OP, he said interacting with a method actor feels like interacting with trans people.

[FreeState]

36. So your not going to ask actual trans people what they think?

So your not going to ask actual trans people what they think?

[BootOutTheGoons]

39. It's not like it's hard to find their thoughts and feelings

Several posts in this very thread with Pride flags

No sadly the person you're replying to finds the thoughts and feelings of trans people to be "not very important"

Ol' Boots here is close to a number of trans people. I know the words of goons like Chappelle hurt and when people don't listen it's more hurt on top of hurt

Sad

[WhiskeyGrinder]

37. Lol at "you people"

But okay now that you’ve seen his comment in the OP about method acting, can you walk me through the humor there?

[berniesandersmittens]

89. WTF- you people?

[vercetti2021]

95. You people?

Wow nice blanket transphobia

[BootOutTheGoons]

103. "You people"

Dogwhistle much?

[Blackjackdavey]

171. Okay, here goes attempted explanation...

In the monologue, which involved a long story about Jim Carrey inhabiting the persona of Andy Kaufmann the day Chappelle met him, Chappelle admits no matter how deep into character Carrey was, Chappelle could not unsee Jim Carrey. The punchline's humor derives from the sudden recall to the earlier theme, the novelty, the juxtaposition of one thing to a seemingly unlike other.

Beyond all that though, if you had watched it, you would have understood it was a confession of sorts and it definitely said more about Chappelle than transgender folks.

Additionally, you may take heart that this special was quite poor overall and it seems Dave is starting to lose a step as the one time witty and wise stories of modern America have been replaced by stories of celebrity drama and who gives a shit, really?

Maybe I'm responding to the wrong post?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

173. .

Here's the thing. It's a shit juxtaposition that makes no sense, because trans people are not acting. They are not putting on a persona. They are not deep in character. They are not a novelty. They are not an "other" that they are "unlike." What's funny about saying you've clocked a trans person, when in many settings that can lead to harassment and violence for people who are already marginalized?

and it definitely said more about Chappelle than transgender folks.

It said something we already know, which is that he thinks transgender people are acceptable as a punchline, which is some of the laziest, status-quo-supporting, conventional comedy around.

[Blackjackdavey]

177. I'm sure we're giving this more time of day than it warrants

but for the sake of discussion, I think you are making too much of the "acting" angle because that part had nothing to do with it. He said he couldn't unsee a man when speaking to a trans woman. Which is of course his problem. It's a shame that it could potentially become someone else's. Honestly, I think it's a stretch to claim he sees transgender people as a punchline but he definitely seems to see the "conflict" (for lack of a better word) as a punchline. And you're right, it wasn't funny. It wasn't edgy. It wasn't even controversial or offensive really. It was a played-out part of a tired act with nothing more to say. Seemed to be an obvious contract obligation if anything. This: "some of the laziest, status-quo-supporting, conventional comedy around" hit the nail on the head.

[edisdead]

121. See this is what I am talking about.

Really? REALLY?

Good grief.

[Demsrule86]

169. No, I have heard his crap; he is mocking tran-people...he is an asshole and not funny.

I don't find him funny at all.

[Demsrule86]

170. Do you have any idea how many Trans-women have been murdered?

He is not funny and dehumanizes his 'victims'.

[vercetti2021]

16. Something tells me you haven't been paying attention

Try being in my shoes and then seeing what he says and then try again

[obamanut2012]

17. Yes, he is

[BootOutTheGoons]

22. Yes he is

First, he admits it. When someone confesses to their crimes, such as saying they love punching down or writing a book called "If I Did It" it's usually a good idea to believe it

When someone like Chappelle admits it, listen to them

Second when people from a marginalized community say this is cruel and offensive it's usually a good idea to listen to them. See replies 6, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 in this thread. You know the ones with Pride flags

If trans people feel mocked then Chappelle is mocking them yet again

[Paladin]

5. Disappear until you grow up, Chappelle.

Feel free to take your time.

[Oneironaut]

6. His "jokes" are just anti-trans hateful stereotypes, followed by bizarre screeds about how oppressed he is by trans ppl.

I don’t mind good, edgy jokes. I do mind jokes that are pointed with venom, as these are. Just like all other comedians who went down the drain - his entire punchline is more of a statement of how disgusting he finds trans people, while painting us as dangerous.

[yardwork]

7. Agreed. Apparently, he's the victim here.

It's not funny, just whining about how he's oppressed because he's "not allowed" to say blah blah blah.

Exactly like boring MAGATs who drone on about how they're "not allowed" to say Merry Christmas or any random bigoted thought that jumps into their heads, so they're oppressed.

Boring. The worst thing a comedian can be.

[Oneironaut]

9. It is extremely boring. The sad thing is, I've heard funny trans jokes before by people with empathy.

I truly think you need empathy to be funny.

This is just brain dead shit. Who the heck thinks the idea of “becoming trans to get into a women’s prison so that I can beat and rape them.” Is funny? It’s not even a joke. It’s just repeating right wing talking points and a self-report of their weird, cruel fantasies.

Dave Chapelle kind of sounds like Mike Huckabee at this point, fantasizing about how they would become predators in women’s spaces, so, trans women must be like them.

[yardwork]

10. It's definitely very revealing about his thoughts.

[Lunabell]

12. I just went to their contact chat.

And registered my complaint and told them that this is definitely a culture that needs to be canceled. And the LGBTQIA community is not netflix punching bag to make a buck. And furthermore, I am seriously thinking of stopping my netflix streaming account.

[BootOutTheGoons]

24. Sometimes you gotta vote with your wallet

Maybe if people cancel their subs over airing repeated transphobia they'll get a hint

I'd cancel but I've never subbed to Netflix in the first place

[vercetti2021]

15. Its a bit?

Ok so shitting on a community that's getting absolutely pounded on by everyone and anyone is just a bit? Theres comedy and then theres hate

[SoFlaBro]

44. Heed these goddamn words. Carlin knows exactly what he's talking about. Thanks for posting this.

[SoFlaBro]

112. I was going to respond to the other posts but you had already deleted everything. lol

[MarineCombatEngineer]

113. Unfortunately my other computer has gone south for the winter and was posting my replies in double and triple posts.

Don't know why this suddenly came up.

As my long gone father used to say, to err is human but to really fuck it up, you need a computer.

[SoFlaBro]

114. Weird. Get one of the new, free scanners for virus and other creepy crawlies in the computer.

I like ESET. (No, I am not affiliated)

[MarineCombatEngineer]

115. Too late,

I already threw the other computer against my brick wall, which seemed to be satisfying.

[SoFlaBro]

144. Do you have the URL for "throw a problematic motherfucker against the wall" too? :laughing:

[vercetti2021]

57. Don't give me this whataboutism crap

[WhiskeyGrinder]

70. .

Of course, he'll suffer the economic consequences of his racist homophobic shit with lost revenue.

yeah people who get netflix specials are definitely suffering

[MarineCombatEngineer]

71. No doubt.

I don't subscribe to Netflix, waste of money IMHO.

[MyNameIsJonas]

81. It's funny you quote George Carlin...

[BootOutTheGoons]

105. If Carlin were alive today he'd attack transphobes not trans people

Dave Chappelle is no George Carlin

[Lunabell]

181. Oh, you are soooooo right!

Carlin was an edgy comic. No hate.

[BootOutTheGoons]

109. Right because being christian is the same as being trans

Sorry but this really has a "I really don't care do U" vibe to it

[ForgedCrank]

117. "Right because being christian is the same as being trans"

I said no such thing, don't put words in my mouth.

"Sorry but this really has a "I really don't care do U" vibe to it "

Doesn't really matter to me if that's the way you wish to hear things I never said.
I also don't think you are at all "sorry" either.

[BootOutTheGoons]

118. I wasn't the one who compared anti-trans jokes to making fun of christianity

People don't need to grow thicker skin. Some people like Chappelle just need to quit punching down

[edisdead]

125. WRONG.

Chappelle can say whatever the fuck he wants. He can say whatever bigoted bullshit he wants to say. He can parade around like the ignorant ass that he is to his and his fans content.

But it is not thin skinned for anyone to say they do not care for his bullshit. And it for God Damned sure as shit is not thin skinned for people in the trans community to step up and say they don’t like it. For the trans folk I have known through the years walking out their front door took a hell of a lot more bravery than it did for this not wit to spew his garbage.

See here’s the thing…. For me it goes way beyond comedy when you continue to push an agenda for years. It isn’t a joke. He has been asked, pleaded with to stop. HE DOESN’T give a shit, because he is making a buck off of it somewhere somehow. That's it. He is making money off of not only belittling a group of people but making broad brush accusations of criminal activity and debasing them. Again not in a “hat-har” manner where everyone is fair game, but in a cruel vindictive years long developing pursuit of dehumanizing people.

That mutherfucker isn’t comedic. He is fucking loser. A fucking bully of the worst kind. Fuck that guy.


Seriously. Thin skinned…. Dipshit is going to get someone killed.

[BootOutTheGoons]

130. Once again your nail it

Some of Ol' Boots' closest friends are trans. I care deeply about them. I've spent 2023 hearing their concerns and fears. I've seen their pain. For them to plead for the hate to stop isn't thin-skinned, it's real and valid

Chappelle is no better than Tuckson Carlson at this point. If Carlson won't get a pass here why does Chappelle?

Chappelle's words hurt and can get people killed. When do people say enough is enough? Why is it easier for some people here to defend Chappelle instead of trans people?

Multiple trans people have made their voices heard on this thread. Some people need to do a better job of listening to them

[edisdead]

140. Right!

Woman at work got the shit beat out of her last year. It happens. Because we allow it to happen.

Rape jokes are not funny.
Calling trans folk predators is not just “not funny” it is extremely dangerous. It is like the “swatting” thing where people report a heinous crime on someone doing nothing wrong just to see if they can get the Swat team or police with guns drawn to show up.

What do you think telling an audience with the reach of Netflix is going to have when you make statements like teans women want to go to prison to rape women? Or that trans women want to go to the bathroom to fiddle your daughters or all the other stupid shit this “comedic culture” comes up with.

I need to take a break from this joint. It is seriously getting to me.Although after some of the things I have said I will probably be getting a break anyways.


Here’s what I know, it ain’t cool to do what this guy is doing. It is cold hearted to let him get away with it.

[BootOutTheGoons]

141. And you're right as well

Bad things happen because people allow them to happen whether it's assault or rape or bigotry

Calling trans people predators gets them targeted. Chappelle has gone beyond "jokes" and is now inciting hate

Chappelle should be ashamed for his words and Netflix should be ashamed for airing it

All of this is getting to me too. I might need a break too

[vercetti2021]

123. Fuck that shit

Too thin skinned? Being a bigoted fuckwad and punching down a community thats constantly shitted on for being us is just comedy?

[vercetti2021]

133. if there were a deleted account button i'd be gone

Why be on a site that obviously lets shit like this fly? All I see on this site today is just asshole transphobes telling us how we should feel.

[BootOutTheGoons]

136. Keep telling them how you feel

If they refuse to listen it's on them

[ForgedCrank]

137. Transphobe?

Please explain to me how the hell you got that from anything I have said here.
Do I need to type up a few paragraphs explaining how I think Dave Cahppelle is an asshole so I can then safely write a 2 sentence statement on my thoughts regarding free speech? Fuck that.
I think our exchange is done now.

[vercetti2021]

139. I said transphobes on here

Not you specifically

[BootOutTheGoons]

135. This is a new special

And I don't care if it aired 1 hour or 1 year ago. It's hurtful and if a member of a minority says it hurts then listen

People are affected. They're saying as much

[Oneironaut]

18. Would you find it funny if a white comedian invoked right wing racist stereotypes to make fun of black people?

How about jokes about Jewish people cheating people and money grubbing, like shit you would see on Stormfront?

It’s not funny. It’s deeply hurtful in fact, just like the above attacks are to those minorities. It’s possible to be funny and make good jokes without reciting transphobic stereotypes and right wing rhetoric. How the fuck is invoking the same old “trans women are predators and want access to women’s spaces to hurt them” supposed to be funny?

[berniesandersmittens]

78. +1

[NoSheep]

110. and what about jokes about women, blond women, thin women and date rape!?!

[BootOutTheGoons]

23. No he's a bit too much

Only gutless cowards and bullies punch down on vulnerable people. When a "comedian" is saying stuff that Coke Trump Jr would say that should be a red flag

Also see replies 6, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19. When members of a minority are upset it's usually respectful to listen to their words

[WhiskeyGrinder]

29. Punching down is not a bit.

[TwilightZone]

51. I don't think there's anything wrong with criticizing him for these bits.

He has a right to say whatever he wants. Everyone else has a right to take issue with it. I don't think that just because he's a comedian that he should be exempt from criticism for being intentionally ignorant.

Of course, he'd prefer that people take issue with it, since he's clearly decided that all press is good press, so it likely won't accomplish anything.

[LexVegas]

52. Sure, but its like getting mad at an actor for a role. Its performance for money. nt

[edisdead]

129. NO IT ISN'T

WTAF?

Chappelle isn’t ACTING! he isn’t playing a part. He isn’t acting AS a person in a story. These are HIS THOUGHTS AND WORDS.

WTF? How is this anything remotely like an actor for a role???

[betsuni]

142. Yes. Ricky Gervais explains in his latest Netflix show.

After using an offensive word in a joke: "I don't use that word in real life. 'You just used it, Rick.' Yeah, in a joke. That's not real life is it, I'm playing a role. 'Sounded pretty convincing.' Yeah, because I'm good. You wouldn't level that accusation against other art forms. You wouldn't go up to Sir Anthony Hopkins and go, 'I saw you in The Silence of the Lambs, you a cannibal, are you?' 'No, I was playing a role.' 'You seemed pretty convincing.'"

[LexVegas]

143. Spot on. nt

[Voltaire2]

156. Gervais is full of shit.

His comedy act is social commentary. He is not acting a part in a movie, he is providing his views on the world we live in. There is a huge difference, and he knows it.

[Oneironaut]

159. Would you be okay with minstrel shows, then?

After all, they're just actors.

[edisdead]

122. Minstrel shows were a fucking bit too.

Come on. He is a past his prime hack nowadays who is running off his mouth spewing right wing hate filled talking points. Guess none of us should be upset that Fox news says THE EXACT SAME FUCKING THING. Oh it’s ok though because he is a “performer”

GTFOHWTS.

[BootOutTheGoons]

124. Nailed it right there

If this was Chappelle doing something racist or sexist we could cut through the outrage

When Faux Noise says stuff like this no one here stands for it. But it's fine when it's a "comedian" who calls himself a TERF and admits he enjoys punching down?

I think some people need to look at a mirror and think again about their words

[Earth-shine]

126. Would you be fine with it if Jews were his target?

[vercetti2021]

14. Fuck this TERFY asshole

This is the same man who stopped making jokes at his community's expense because he thought it hurt them so obviously he needs a better target. I'm so happy that we live in these fucking idiots heads rent free all the time because it makes me feel better about myself because it makes me feel so superior.

Yes keep on shitting on us. We only grow more powerful since we are seriously the most powerful people on this earth right now.

But seriously fuck Netflix too. So glad I canceled my subscription to the TERF jerkers

[Oneironaut]

20. You rock, Vercetti!

[BootOutTheGoons]

21. Well at least he admits it

Not that it's a good thing. It just goes to show that the cruelty is the point

I find it super classy (not) that the same guy who whined about laughing at one segment of the population is fine with doing it to another

In football it's a 15 yard penalty to pile on. Just saying

You know who punches down on a vulnerable community that's under relentless attack Dave? A weakling and a coward

It's official: Chappelle is a weak coward

[Lunabell]

26. Transphobia.

Alive and well on DU. This is sad.

[FreeState]

48. So you explicitly came out against it

Where? All I see is someone telling minorities how to feel or act.

[TwilightZone]

58. Supporting the First Amendment...

and telling people to just turn it off and shut up about it if they don't like it are kind of contradictory.

He has a right to say it. Others have a right to take issue with it. I don't see it as the binary choice some are insisting it to be.

Of course, it won't matter to Dave. He'd prefer that people take issue with it. That's pretty clearly the intent.

[TwilightZone]

75. Oh, please.

God, this place is hilarious sometimes. The whole sub-thread starts with "Don't like it. Don't watch it," followed by your irrelevant posting of Carlin's piece on the FCC. The implication couldn't be more obvious. No one called for him to be banned or censored. They're objecting to him being an attention-seeking bigot.

[edisdead]

134. JFC...

Should Trump be held accountable for the Jan 6th insurrection on some level?

Obviously not. People should of or could have just turned the channel. It doesn’t matter what he said, if people just turned the channel then nothing bad would have happened right?

WRONG! Words haveeaning and unfortunately when someone keeps hammering that meaning then shot happens.

JFC dude it may be REALLY fucking easy for us straight guys to just turn the channel. You know what isn’t easy? Getting out of our comfort zone and calling it like it is. Dangerous hate speech. But I guess changing the channel is good enough.

[edisdead]

131. You actually say that people are too thin skinned

Your words.

Hey he can say whatever the fuck he wants to say. But then YOU slam people here for saying they don’t like what he is saying. FOR REAL??? No you aren’t convincing me that’s for damn sure.

Your advice here IN THIS THREAD has been for people to turn the channel. We did that shot in history. It didn’t work out well for some people.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

56. Oh, and quite frankly.

I really don't care if you see it or not.

[BootOutTheGoons]

63. Nope I don't see it

But I see you replying "LOL" to someone who's upset over Chappelle

[BootOutTheGoons]

66. Nope I don't expect you to care

The way you haven't cared about anything else in this thread

[BootOutTheGoons]

74. Tsk tsk

[BootOutTheGoons]

77. Maybe you to try some kindness

Just saying

[BootOutTheGoons]

86. Sorry but it doesn't look very kind to me

[BootOutTheGoons]

96. Uh huh

[MarineCombatEngineer]

90. Dammit, I keep getting double and triple posts.

Don't know why but its irritating as hell.

[Lunabell]

80. Was I talking to you or about you?

Why so angry, then? Protesting too much, me thinks.

[Lunabell]

101. Well, furthermore,

the 1st amendment only applies to government censorship. It's in the Constitution, which I respect immensely. Corporations are not the government, so your argument is specious. If I want to "vote" with my money, that's capitalism, our system. Don't like it? Change it with voting.

Happy New Year!

[vercetti2021]

61. Of course it is

It never left despite rule changes. People found ways to mask it better to get around the rules.

[Space Lemon]

27. He's a loser.

Wouldn't you think he'd have something better to do than see how big of an asshole he can be?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

160. Welcome to DU

[Sympthsical]

32. Getting a little bored with "lamp shade" comedians

I love stand-up comedy, and I have a very, very inappropriate sense of humor. The darker, the better. Offensive, not offensive. Whatever you want. As long as it's funny, I'll go along with it.

But there's this rise, particularly online and Chappelle is no different, where the jokes are constantly being lamp-shaded. "Well, this is edgy! I'll be canceled! Let's see if you can handle it!"

Just. Tell. Me. The. Joke.

Don't announce it. Don't tell me how you anticipate someone will react to it. Don't drag your social media life into the act.

Just tell the joke. I think it was Anthony Jeselnik who said (paraphrasing) "The art of comedy is telling the offensive joke and getting away with it." The joke should stand on its own. It should be so funny that the humor overpowers the offense. And if people are offended, so what? It's the internet age. Someone's offended if you tie your shoes wrong. Normal people don't run their lives worried about what Twitter thinks. The whole "Punching up! Punching down!" That's nonsense. Like anyone anywhere was begging for an ideological sociology lesson in their comedy club. People who tell you "The Rules" of being funny are almost never actually funny people.

Just be funny. My laughter will let you know if it works or not. And if it doesn't work, oh well. Maybe I won't watch their next special or whatever. That's the risk. I've never not watched someone because they walked up to the line. I have stopped watching someone because they cannot shut up about how awesome they are for walking up to the line. It's boring and played out.

[LexVegas]

34. Spot on take of comedy today. I blame Rogan for this. A less than average comedian that wields tremendous influence. nt

[edisdead]

138. Right. That guy....

The problem with a guy like Rogan is that he isn’t JUST a comedian. He is an “Influencer” or more aptly named a “propagandist”. He isn’t selling me New Coke or telling me how white my shirts can be. He is gaslighting people by getting them to equate nonsense with norms and truth. And he (they) are doing this as well and with a larger audience, and with more efficiency than some of the biggest propagandists of our time.

It is funny when to joke about the government maybe taking too much of your paycheck. It is not funny to insist over and over and over again that the government cannot be trusted and that they are injecting our children with a vaccine that will kill them.

That ain’t no joke.

[Oneironaut]

162. Thank you. This is what so many are missing about Dave Chappelle.

I have a very dark sense of humor as well. Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais, for example, don't just tell jokes. They tell jokes, talk about how "they don't want me to say this," claim they're being cancelled by the "radical left," and run to people like J.K. Rowling and defend everything they say.

It's not just a joke at this point. They're both in this sort of odd bigotry-pushing alliance with non-comedians who are actually transphobes, and, acting like everyone is oversensitive when called out about it.

[Sympthsical]

163. I've defended some of Chappelle in the past

Because the material was funny. And he's shown he can do good LGBT material. The bit where he discusses the four L, G, B, and T passengers in the car is hilarious. The more familiar a person is with how our community interacts with one another, the funnier it is. And for a cis straight man to have that insight was great.

But once he started to beef with the community, the beef itself became the story. And increasingly, his jokes are framed around that beef and the reactions and whether or not he's being cancelled etc.

I haven't watched the new special - I don't think I'm going to, because life's too short for mediocre entertainments. However, I did see his opening joke about Jim Carey and Man on the Moon. It's an amusing story, it gains momentum, and then ends with, "And that's how trans people make me feel."

So, once again, he's framed his joke around his outside social media beef with the community. He's intentionally looking to start shit. And once you have that context, what's the joke? His joke is literally, "Trans people make me feel weird."

Ok? That's not a joke. That's not even a funny story. He's just being a dick because he can. And the laugh he extracts from the audience isn't because the joke is funny, it's because the audience is up to date on the controversy. He needs the outside context to get the laugh, because the material itself isn't good enough to elicit laughter on its own.

The man has gotten tedious. Worse for a comedian, he's gotten lazy.

[Cha]

35. There is No further "down".

[Happy Hoosier]

64. So you're fine with his transphobia?

You didn’t mention it is all…

[Zeitghost]

106. My post didn't address a number of topics

It was about a particular bit about a former congressman. It was funny. Have you seen the special?

[Happy Hoosier]

182. It seemed an apologetic.

I don’t care if told a finny joke if he was being an asshole about people I care about.

[TwilightZone]

49. It's pretty clear he'll say anything for attention.

Hard to tell if he really believes these things or if he just knows that this will get him press.

Probably some of each, though it's obvious he believes that any press is good press.

[RockRaven]

94. Being an asshole is profitable, apparently.

If you don't like this and subscribe to Netflix, maybe think about that.

And if you don't like this and don't subscribe to Netflix then there's really nothing for you to do... other than talk about this.

[SoFlaBro]

145. Do you genuinely believe that Dave Chapelle hates trans people?

[BootOutTheGoons]

146. When someone expresses their hate believe them

Yes

[SoFlaBro]

147. I agree that someone being hateful is taken at face value. But also believe that "hateful" & "mean" are not synonymous.

[BootOutTheGoons]

149. No he's hateful

"I'm team TERF" and "I love punching down" say it all

[demmiblue]

152. +1

[Polly Hennessey]

104. I have five of the same posts on Dave Chappelle from

Demmiblue. One would suffice.

[demmiblue]

151. Strange, I only posted the article once.

I looked at my posts and my journal... same, only one OP on the topic. Must be a glitch in the system.

[DJ Porkchop]

111. I tried it tonight.

I quit at the 12 minute mark. Once I heard that bomb, I knew I couldn't enjoy anything he came up with after that.
I got the same problem with Tom Segura, who has lost his way to the greed.
Who'da thought Howard Stern would come out on the right side?
Fuck Chappelle.

[madinmaryland]

116. It's interesting that Chappelle has taken this direction with his career...

His father was from Yellow Springs, Ohio about 15 minutes from where I live in southwest Ohio and was his tie to that community. Yellow Springs is the home to Antioch College and is a very progressive school. He has invested a lot in that community, though I don’t know to what end.

[edisdead]

119. He is an absolute disgrace.

I was a big fan of his back in the late 90’s when he first started on the scene in a big way. Sure he had been around for a while but that first special of his that he did was spectacular.

Now, he is just a fucking turd. What a colossal disappointment. And what makes it worse is that I know people that still try to defend him. Like he is so “edgy” and he “just creates conversation around the ossies”. No he is a fucking turd. That's all he is. Just a fucking jackass using people for his own egotistical bullshit. He sucks.

[Johonny]

128. Glad I don't have Netflix.

[Renew Deal]

150. It's great. Trevor Noah also just released a new special.

But there is also a lot of other stuff like Stranger Things, Knives Out 2, Wednesday, and much more.

[Earth-shine]

153. Maybe he doesn't have other material.

Maybe he's just desperate for attention.

I used to enjoy his Chappelle's show. Can't watch him anymore.

[marble falls]

155. The sad part for me is that my biggest insight into the trans community is that these are people ...

... who only want to be allowed to live life feeling comfortable in their own skins. There is not one single thing they ask for that infringes on anyone else's rights. Soooo many real monsters out there and Chappelle picks on those who threaten no one else except in offended party's mind.

Dave is not illuminating anything at all about society with this crap. He is confessing to his own limitations and he is the sadder for it.

[Johnny2X2X]

158. I don't have to watch

He can say whatever he wants and I choose not to watch it. At this point he’s trying to say controversial stuff to get more eyes on him. Kind of sad that that’s what he feels he needs to do to be relevant.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

161. Who cares what this asshole thinks?

[FreeState]

165. Many of us do

As a minority turning the channel or ignoring harmful cultural and media narratives is not possible. The real harm of these people affect us every single day. Ignoring it makes it worse.

[AkFemDem]

166. At this point he's punching back

At "cancel culture". He's going to keep telling the trans jokes because he knows it drives a certain segment of the population insane to know they can't stop him despite their attempts to do so.

He's said as much in his last few Netflix specials- people boycott him and try to shut down his shows, but he has enough money they can't touch him. He's got a huge fanbase, that spans the political spectrum so Netflix keeps airing him. It's a haha in your face reaction to people who can't wrap their minds around the fact public shaming and public pressure don't always work. When people laugh at these jokes, some are laughing because they hate trans people. Some are laughing though, because they love the fact he's willing to step into shit again and just doesn't GAF.

Personally, I find him both hilarious and offensive... and I'll keep watching.

[obamanut2012]

179. "It's a haha in your face reaction to people who can't wrap their minds around the fact public shaming and public

pressure don't always work"

Wow.

Interesting way to say people are calling out bigotry and hate.

[Caliman73]

167. Seems that the "controversy" has replaced the comedy.

The offense that is being given and people are responding to has become bigger than the jokes. I agree with Carlin that historically, comedy has been about a few things, 1. mocking power and the abuse of power. 2. Pointing out the absurdities of life. 3. Relating to humanity within and outside of group identities.

Some people court controversy, but keep the comedy at the forefront. People like Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor walked that tightrope fairly well. Others simply said things for the shock value, Andrew Dice Clay comes to mind.

Chapelle seems to be turning into an Andrew Dice Clay character rather than Pryor.

[Demsrule86]

168. Dave Chapelle is homophobic/anti-Transgender...and an all around ass. No doubt he tried to

humiliate Will Smith's wife with his not-funny standup which is why although I detest violence...I didn't give a crap when old Dave got slapped.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

175. That was Chris Rock

[maxsolomon]

176. Different comedian.

Chris Rock was slapped at the Oscars. Not Chapelle.

[maxsolomon]

172. I'll reserve judgment.

I watched the last special that caused such a backlash to judge for myself. It wasn't nearly as transphobic as was suggested. In fact, it wound up almost reflective.

He then said he was going to transition to joking about “handicapped” people instead because “they’re not as organized as the gays. And I love punching down.”

That's called irony, kids.

[budkin]

174. I'm already done with him...

and Ricky Gervais too. They are just bitter that the world is changing and there is nothing they can do about it.

[Torchlight]

178. I hope he and his conscience finally have a talk about this sometime soon.

Last edited Tue Jan 2, 2024, 07:08 PM - Edit history (1)

He punches down, receives criticism for it, and follows that up with a weak 'I'm a victim of woke' shtick. Seems he's a little frustrated due to receiving the same condemnation he targets others with for profit.

When this conversation arises here, I think it's helpful to remember the site admin's suggestions about our behavour regarding it.
https://democraticunderground.com/101312142

[Lunabell]

180. What I see on this post is a lot of folks who want to justify hurting trans people by saying, "Oh, it's just a joke!"

It makes me sad.