Dave Chappelle returns to the comedy scene with his new special, The Dreamer, on New Year’s Eve. Chapelle began his sketch with a promise — to refrain from making jokes about the trans community as they tend to stand on business.
Chappelle was at the epicenter of controversy due to his remarks about the LGBTQ community in The Closer two years prior. The outcry got the attention of Netflix CEO David Hastings, who released a statement amid employee protests in favor of the comedian. Netflix signed Chapelle to a $60 million deal in exchange for four comedy specials in 2020. Despite the backlash, The Closer scored Chapelle an award in the best comedy album category at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
The clever Emmy-award winning comedian vows to poke fun at a new demographic this go-around — the Disabled. “Contrary to the trans community, the handicapped are unable to stand,” jokes Chapelle.We can expect Chappelle to be defiant even when the odds are not in his favor. Chapelle is infamously known for walking away from a $50 million dollar deal with Comedy Central at the height of his career, which solidifies money is never a concern for the American comic.
While Chappelle’s humor was less transphobic, the comedian did not omit any opportunity to take shots at the trans-community during his 56-minute set. His final bit crowns Lil Nas-X as the dreamiest trans-figure of all dreamers.
Overall, Chappelle covered a little of everything in The Dreamer, the comedian recollects the events that occurred in 2023. One of the summaries that stood out most is the slap, which took place at the 94th Academy Awards between fellow comedian Chris Rock and five-star actor Will Smith.
Chappelle brilliantly deciphered the situation between the two acts, who have made headlines for their distinctive approach about the situation. While Chappelle’s position fixates getting even with Smith, he empathizes with both figures, “I’m Will Smith who just can’t take it anymore and must let out the frustration. I am Chris Rock, who must remain composed to prevent further damage.”
To conclude, Chappelle makes a deliberate effort to be inclusive in this new special by giving every community an equal roast, including a jab at the Asian community by referencing an alleged act of infidelity with his wife, who has Filipino roots. The Dreamer is available for streaming exclusively on Netflix.