3.5/5
Close Edge.
Fourth of July...there was always going to be some fireworks. Two years back. Pre-corona. Pre this personal move of mine from the UK to Japan, I took one last trip as an Englishman in New York before we all got stung by what only a mask, a vaccine (it's just a little prick) and adequate social distant measures and respect will save us and our world from. I wanted a day of independence to see the light show before my birthday and big jump. All in a place I frequently vacated to during my 20's that roared for the stars and stripes. Coincidentally it all occurred at the same time in symbolic synchronicity for me that the new July 4th themed 'Stranger Things' season on Netflix would come into play, turning the whole summer upside down. Aptly set in July, 1985. The very month I was born. It couldn't be more perfect and the ideal way to say goodbye to the US for awhile (turns out I was right to make the trip one last time before it was too late, because look at us now). That was until after the smoke cleared from all the firecrackers I saw something in the Times Square lights. 'Chappelle On Broadway', b#####! My favourite comedian and a legend on the mic. Surely there weren't any tickets left? My luck isn't that good. Turns out there and it was. And what a set, tailor-made for what was to come on one of his sixth signature Netflix specials. One of the first jokes was a little bit to close to the bone to those where it would hit home. "Oh, man the f### up" he told us (like he similarly does here). "It's gonna get a lot worse than that." He was right. Later on outside the summer sun in the city getting too much for me, in a haze, still off the natural high of this trip, I waited around for an autograph and picture after the show. Standing around tired and out of it in the social media age of impatience looking for that Instagram story when I should have really focused on the memory. I move from the crowd to get a bit of sidewalk to sit and that's when he comes out. The crowd goes wild like when the Knicks finally made the playoffs last season. I couldn't get a look in. Part tiredness, part a crowd that no one would want to control now, but mostly the Brit in me that felt like I shouldn't be a bother. This felt like the time on Broadway when I heard the familiar 'Scent Of A Woman' hoo-aah's of Al Pacino throwing a pen back to a fan in the cypher of his last signature. Another legend so close, but so far. Not like when I met Bradley Cooper and Hugh Jackman here in the same night. What was I to do? A marvelous memory tinged with a litle bit of disappointment from my failure. No post to like. No memory to love. But anyway, today, you know what they'd say. And maybe it doesn't matter so much now.
Hicks. Pryor. Rock. Classic comedians have all courted controversy. But this is something else. I want to defend Dave Chappelle. This is the man we all fought for last year when Netflix brought back Comedy Central's classic 'Chappelle Show', but at first without his explicit permission and due credit. Nostalgically when it was finally made right we loved looking back at our generations favourite, insightful and incendiary comedy sketch show. Anyone that knows this game and genre changer and the infamous Rick James sketch will understand my "'Chappelle On Broadway' , b####" reference from the previous paragraph. But yeah, even that's overexposed (two thumbs down reference) and past its best. In the age of the woke, perhaps it's time to stop trying to look like we are and actually do the work. Like Dave's hip-hop legend friend Yasiin Bey said best about relief for Hurricane Katrina for his 'Clap' song, "don't talk about it, be about it. Peace." There's an iconic moment in Chappelle's Show musical guest spots were Dave drives around Brooklyn and the B.K. M.C. (then Mos Def) and one half of Black Star with socially conscious rapper turned controversy courting Talib Kweli ('The Midnight Miracle' podcast partners of Chappelle have a soaring new song that closes out 'The Closer') raps along to his new song off 'The New Danger', 'Close Edge'. "Don't push me, 'cause I'm close" he homages 'The Message' of originators Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. And that's kind about the size of it. This is a man who walked away from millions like 'Seinfeld' (the bassists dream also enjoying a nostalgia trip, or first journey for this 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' (talk about controversy...just wait) superfan), because he thought he went too far with a black pixie sketch. Retreating to Africa and literally finding himself beyond a cliché and the muscled up body of work that came next. I want to defend him, but I'm not sure I can. This is the man who last year during our worst one and the masked-up fight back with a raised fist of the Black Lives Matter movement released another work of critical comedy that received nary a laugh. The incredible, social commentary and call to justice of '8.46' which was one of the most important pieces of artwork and cultural cornerstones of last year. And was meant to be more than a joke for Netflix, no laughing matter for a time when we all needed relief. If you really want to know more in this swipe-past age, Google why the name is the number it is if you don't already know. Because like the Notorious one said, "now you know". But when it comes to Chappelle's sixth comedy special for Netflix (after the last also controversial, but Grammy winning 'Sticks and Stones' that broke more than bones), 'The Closer'. People really are feeling close to the edge.
Transphobia. Homophobia. It's all being claimed. Jokes about standing up for women as long as they'll...well, you know how he puts it, smack at the irony satirically of those who claim they are all for something, but really looking for likes are just for social media show. And like he said to a roar from the crowd, Twitter, "is not a real place". But the trouble is, like a "I'm rich b####" in this age of second-by-second timeline refreshment, it has all been done before. And for those who don't get nuance or the tricks comedians pull to make real points, it can have damaging effects. We can't all be as safe but as assured as Jerry Seinfeld putting social norms and their oddities perfectly. We live in a different society now. That's all not Dave Chappelle's responsibility however. His is to do something with his art and work. And in actually explaining himself out of a hole and right into another one that we have seen played out on platforms this whole week, for some people who probably haven't even watched yet, there is a demand for the plug to be pulled. Especially from the transgender showrunner of Netflix's 'Dear White People', Jaclyn Moore who has distanced herself from the streaming service, perhaps permanently. She has some proven points to make, although there has also been some claims of misrepresentation of black people on her show when it comes to the behind the scenes goings on. And that's similar to some of the points Chappelle is trying to make as he asks the trans community to stop "punching down" on his people. This, in reference to a tweet made by Dave's trans friend Daphne Dorman which is NOT another case of, "I'm not racist, I have a black friend." And believe me, when you find out what happened days after that tweet was sent (which I must stress Dave Chappelle does not accuse anyone of the trans community being responsible of), you will be shocked to the core in the real point of the show, just like the name of his YouTube one from last year about the length of time officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd's neck. The second-half of Chappelle's show is all about this Trans war he seems to be stoking and perhaps overkill as it ends up looking like he is obsessed with this issue. But such is the nature when your backs against the wall in defence. Two woman in the audience clearly are not impressed and their faces stand out as such. But the rest of the Detroit crowd whose city he disses (just for jokes) and the fans are into it. Knowing why one of the GOAT's of comedy is doing what he's doing. Defending J.K. Rowling and hilariously comparing the 'Harry Potter' books to the Bible, Chappelle isn't the first to do this (defend, not the classic biblical reference) and someone does need to address the without prejudice toxicity of cancel culture, now some of the most damaging predators (Weinsten, Spacey) have either been brought to justice, or removed from this world of influence in entertainment by the peoples consensus.
We are so used to being divided on everything these days. It's almost like we want people to say something different so we can shame them. And in this modern day war of masks and needles as we try to beat coronavirus and ignorance it seems we would rather end people then try to help them understand. It infects every issue from the 'Black Lives Matter' movement to the 'Stop Asian Hate' one (why aren't people taking about that like he did?). And we've lost too many like Mooney and Charlie Murphy lately to continue to hate on those who are trying to spark debate. Even if they use gasoline instead of a pulled up chair for an open dialogue as an accelerant. But claiming to be "Team Turf" is just ignorant and harmful and restating Rowling's "gender is a fact" opinion, no matter how you want to put it is almost dangerously akin to the damaging word of another influencing presence in the modern mainstream, back when Kanye West said, "slavery is a choice". It doesn't matter what point you're trying to make. When people in this streaming, diluted world just take a few of the words out of their real context. Taking them as read in bright lights. The effects can be devastating. Besides everyone has a right to identify with what they choose to be...and there should be no shame in that. Dave Chappelle reiterates that he isn't against the trans community referencing his previous point in his last show about why was it easier for Caitlyn Jenner to change her gender than it was for Muhammad Ali to change his name. And here he wonders why DaBaby was cancelled (or "aborted") for his recent phobic comments and not the fact that he shot someone in a Walmart of all places. All fair and valid. This is a man who once asked why he can use the n word with impunity, but if he says "f####t" than everyone loses their minds. To which someone replied, "because Dave, you're not gay." To which he, without missing a beat countered, "but I'm not a n#### either." It's incredible comments like this (although gay people aren't "faggots" either) that can actually help bring about change for good (in others...and ultimately himself. Because after all, we could all do with a little work) and why we shouldn't just cancel this Mark Twain prize winner, or others for that matter. But clearly there's some reflection that needs to be sought as we sort all this out. Now if you think this is just some safe playing, habitual fence sitting pandering to both sides, it's not. You can still be a big fan of someone and love them enough to keep it real if you want to challenge something they say (Kanye). That's truer. This speaks to the quote from the comedian in question himself. "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear or hate someone. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe, say, or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." Dear white people, this white man can silently in solidarity (sometimes...because nobody needs to hear what a man like me has to say on this issue. But I would be remiss in responsibility not to review this, when I have everything else he's done) support equal rights for everybody in this spectrum without joining the "social" media witch-hunt (this reminds me of the "you hate women" episode of 'Atlanta') of a black man, just because he disagrees with some of the things he says and the techniques that were used to make a bigger, more world reaching point that has now been drowned out by all this rage. Dave says he's done and that he won't make jokes about the trans community until "we're all laughing together". This sort of forehead hit call for unity like a Rick James brass knuckle may not ring as true as the close edge comedian would like, but we believe there's more of a search for understanding in his work than there is a cause or intention of malice. Especially in these times. 'The Closer' is Chappelle's last special for Netflix, slamming the breaks like he did hilariously in the latest Morgan Freeman narrated teaser. And perhaps for now that is the best thing. We all may want to claim "there just jokes, baby" like an Eddie Murphy drive home, but when it is causing this much pain, like we've seen over the last week, perhaps it's time to change lanes. The road to a better way is paved with the "bisexual empathy" that Dave preaches. Time for us all (and him) to put that into practice. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Sticks and Stones', 'Equanimity and The Bird Revelation', '8.46'.
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