So, I just spent the afternoon watching 8 episodes of Chappelle's Show (which is actually not that much since every episode is about 17 minutes) back to back, and I'm into it. But, I can't help wondering what exactly he's doing with humor--what he's getting away with in terms of race politics and what he's overtly critiquing ? I should say right off the bat that on a more superficial level I really like his style. I like the way he talks (some southern/midwestern combo drawl), I like his slightly preppy outfits, and I like the way he delivers his monologue cause there's always a great punchline and he doesn't do that obnoxious overt pause before he gives it to you.
So, back to why this show is smart. I think in one of the very first episodes he sort of throws out there how racist the world we live in is...and he goes on to make some really silly examples, but in this effortless way he has made something really murky very clear. I definitely attribute some of that to the power of comedy and it's way of getting at truth, but I give way more credit to Chappelle for making it the center of his show. I've also read a couple of things recently including a piece in Esquire about why he left the show. I imagine creative control, particulalry in a show designed around your own humor (which seems to me to be a lot of personal neuroses) would be hard to cede. Harder if you're ceding to a board of white men who know your demographic for their advertising revenue potential and little else. After reading the interview I'm more impressed with him for leaving, and for not willing to do a show with his name (read brand) but not his full control.
My favorite recurring sketch on the show is "Ask the Black Dude" mostly cause I think the guy answering the questions is playing it straight and saying the sort of in your face truth that's hard to hear. I also think the question of who's being the isolater/isolated when you feel compelled to ask these questions to someone "different" is tough. I mean I guess if you think you have the right to ask those questions your assume some inherent power, and of course you assume that you are the norm. I guess that's what makes these segments so clever...Chappelle's got a handle on the seduction of power.
ohhhhhh....snap
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