User Reviews

After his former high school, Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC, decides to rename its theatre after him, comedian Dave Chappelle gives a speech at the school. He talks about his history with the school, what the school means to him and the importance of art.

An interesting, sometimes moving, presentation from Dave Chappelle. I wanted to say "stand-up routine" as that what I always think of when I see Chappelle up on stage. But it is clearly much more than that. There are elements of humour - you can't expect Chappelle to NOT be funny - but it is a wonderfully sincere and moving telling of what the school means to him and what it has done for him.

His discussion of the importance of art and not bowing to conformity is also quite telling as it essentially outlines why art exists and why it should never be censored.

Dave shines the light squarely on group think. Many of us (especially those of us who grew up in an urban environment in the 70's and 80's) think of mob mentality as a fault of autocratic types. Dave's message is that anyone can fall prey to censorship and ignore the art even when they think they're standing up for something.

Some people that I watched with felt Dave was crowing about himself too much. I responded that this is Dave's reply to the critics. When I saw him live at his documentary screening he was in pain at how so many had reacted to his art. He now has his chance to respond and it was done in a way only Dave could do.

If you like Dave you won't need a review to watch this. But if you judged him and his art based on The Closer, you should watch this before you continue to judge.

Dave Chappelle is the voice of this generation. He is smart and funny. Here he speaks to his old arts High School in Washington DC about his experiences there and after, the changes in the city, and artistic expression. It is a maddening look at society that a Fine Arts school would resist allowing a building to be named after this Alumnus because of the false narrative that he is anti-Transgender. His take on the situation and the resolution are worth the watch.

The sweet is pretty obvious and abundant. Dave's recounting of his high school try-out and transfer is sweet. And any time a person sticks out for the truly individualistic in general and the arts in particular, well that is just dandy as candy to me. Add in a tasty Loren Michaels' impersonation and anecdote and sweet is covered.

The short might refer to the 39 minutes for this special (which I only stumbled across in some other online mention, it's hard to say anything Dave does is snuck out there, but Netflix has demanded my attention for a lot of other stuff that's for sure).

But I think the short might apply to Dave's temper, as has to deal with pre-assembled opinions on anything he does or says. I'm hoping he doesn't just say the hell with it all (again) and go off on another decade-long walkabout.

I hope not, and I also hope whenever he hits my brittle spirit in the funny bone, I will always laugh.

We're all sick of it and you help us escape it with comedy and glaringly obvious insights that so many people can't see for some reason. Never back down!

I love Dave but there was way more monologue than comedy in this special. Still interesting to hear about his life and what he's gone through but he could really use a bit more humility. Comes off as extremely arrogant at times. Confidence is one thing, but stay humble, my friend. You are not a god. 🤷‍♀️ Also, more comedy than drama please 👏

I love Dave but there was way more monologue than comedy in this special. Still interesting to hear about his life and what he's gone through but he could really use a bit more humility. Comes off as extremely arrogant at times. Confidence is one thing, but stay humble, my friend. You are not a god. 🤷‍♀️ Also, more comedy than drama please 👏

I was not aware of any controversy regarding Dave Chappelle and his recent honor at his alma mater. Just as well because there is really no controversy. Chappelle certainly addressed the situation with the kind of artistic expression and class that very few could accomplish. I think it is because he is a once in a generation talent and genius. This 40 minute Netflix special is extremely captivating and I think history will show it to be a significant event in time. I feel so sad and sorry for the young men and women of the school who failed to honor this legend instead they treated his once in a lifetime art as if it did not exist. I thought of Vincent Van Gogh or Mark Twain returning to their alama mater only to be ridiculed by a bunch of spoiled unappreciative young adults. What a waste of what should have been a proud and wonderful moment for the The Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington D. C. Many so called art students were too deaf, dumb and blind to celebrate and embrace the moment. I think that may be one reason Chappelle was so hurt by it all. Masterpiece 40 minutes of television and thank you Netflix for airing this. When Dave Chappelle speaks you hang on every word. Still a relatively young man to be a legend. By the way does anyone have a problem with naming it "Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression". And Dave Chappelle['s name certainly needs to be added if he chooses to allow that minor modification.

Haters gonna hate and they just show their bias and their lack of knowledge and empathy.

This "special" is a gem for fans, but not a special in the literal sense of the word. Dave reflects on his time at Duke Ellington and debunks the allegation of being a gender bigot. People are way to narrow-minded and overly sensitive and refuse to listen to context or take the context into consideration. Does Dave give you the biggest belly laughs ever? Well, sometimes he does, but he always makes you think and that's his superpower.

The ending is beautiful and explains the reason for showing this speech to the world.

I'm so glad he's coming to Amsterdam and I'll be able to see him live for the very first time.

Chris Rock will be there too.

Dave Chappelle is one of if the best comedian to live in this and last century. This story has touched me as it should touch anyone who has a heart and believes in artistic expression and the freedom to practice it without interference. He tells it like it is and very humble at that. You will not be disappointed.

Enjoy And Thank you Dave Cheppelle from the bottom of my heart.

Dave Chappelle is a brilliant comedian and in this special at the the Duke Ellington School, which was to be renamed in his honor, he reminisces of attending the school to learn how to act in order to become a stand up comedian. A comic at a club advised him to do so.

His previous TV concert, The Closer contained material considered offensive to some viewers. I found it to be extremely funny. I need my comedy to be uncomfortable at times and, as with George Carlin and Sam Kinison, Chappelle is unafraid to wade into verboten subject matter.

Dave is at his best as he describes his first season on network television and his decision to walk away from a skyrocketing career and travel to Africa for some time away from show business.

He closes with an excellent new name for the theater. Do not miss What's in a Name?

Dave Chappelle considers himself as an extraordinary genius, one in a million, artist of the millenium. Wow, how arrogant is that. It's his 2nd or even 3rd Netflix special where he is only talking about his fails and successes. Not really funny, he seems to have become a highly paid narcissist. He is proud of having stepped back from Chappelle's Show when they offered him millions but now he is taking millions from Netflix.

Chappelle was a comic genius back in the day but that genius is faded and this special is sad proof. Rude insult humor, adolescent misogyny, jokes that don't land. It's sad seeing a once-great in this state. If u want a Dave chappelle fix watch the old shows.

Chappelle makes fun of tiny minorities, Jews and transgender people, NOT himself.

The best comedians, like Richard Prior and Rodney Dangerfield, made fun of themselves. That takes humility and guts.

Chappelle makes liberal us of the "n" word. The "n" word in this context is segregationist. Chappelle can use it, but whites better not. This is not the world Martin Luther King Jr. Envisioned. He envisioned a world which includes everyone.

Chappelle cynically steps on toes for ratings, for money. He appeals to the lowest common denominator, not the best in us. He is an opportunist.

Plenty of cowardice to go around, Mr. Chappelle.

This is a pity party for Dave. Trying to rally up his black base and the trans community so he can continue to spur racial hatred and bigotry. Dave is a great comedian but has falling off the cliff in recent years with his agenda. That would be ok if he really believed what he was saying but he is just trying to stay relevant and rich he doesnt care who he hurts.