Darrenlyn Braddy
MC301/Staff
Let me start this review of Dave Chappelle’s Netflix comedy special “Age of Spin” with two warnings. Are you ready? SPOILER ALERT! There’s one. The second is I am a fan of Chappelle so my article could potentially be biased but if something is terrible, I’ll call it terrible. This special was not.
The first show started with the divine voice of Morgan Freeman. It was lovely. He introduced Chappelle and “The Trance” which is basically Chappelle in a staring contest with nothing and his mind simultaneously finding and mastering his jokes. This is followed by a colorful vignette of all the things Chappelle discusses in his 2-part collection. The intro music was interesting and by the third time I watched it, I was singing and dancing to it even though I can’t dance.
Devin Cousin, a junior mass communications major from Florence, Miss., wasn’t nearly as in love with the special as I was.
Cousin said, “I honestly expected more from it. I’m used to laughing through an entire show of his. This one had its moments. I may try and watch it again.”
Chappelle’s jokes covered many popular controversies addressed in the media so if you tend to be overly concerned with political correctness, this program may not be for you. Topics included: Sesame Street, Bill Cosby, the Flint water crisis, Manny Pacquiau, and O.J. Simpson.
He also discusses the LGBTQ community. He felt the need to lend them some advice, from one oppressed group to another.
Chappelle said, “I’m just telling you this as a black dude. I support your movement but if you want to take some advice from a Negro, pace yourself. These things take a while. Just [because] they passed a law, doesn’t mean they’re [going to] like you. “
He also told the story of the four times he met O.J. Simpson. These were laughable interactions to say the least. These stories also showed Chappelle’s skill for storytelling.
Chappelle then turned his attention to the crowd and called out a young man in the crowd in a brief rant about millennials and the age of technology.
“We all need a break from that technology. Just for a minute. You know I’m from a different time, young man, a dark time to you. I’m from a time that I didn’t even know who was on the phone till I answered the sh**.”
James Walker, a sophomore biology major from East St. Louis, Ill., saw the first episode and had rave reviews!
“I thought it was hilarious and did a very good job of not discriminating against or speaking negatively on the LGBTQ community. I really don’t think it could have been better. It walked the political tight rope very well. Dave Chappelle is known for both raw unapologetic humor and the ability to mix in important social knowledge in his shows. He’s a comedian and his job is to find humor in many different ways and to look at things in a different perspective than anyone else,” said Walker.
Shaidah Ehehosi, a sophomore public policy major at Georgia State University from Decatur, Ga., was not as supportive. She felt as if Chappelle was more insensitive than necessary.
“I did really enjoy it for the fact that I grew up watching Dave Chappelle. I didn’t mind the subject matter but the terminology (trannie, fag, etc.) was offensive. He did describe queer people incorrectly and ignorantly,” said Ehehosi. She went on to say, “He talked about the road blocks that come along with trying to get equality from a black standpoint and related it to LGBTQ struggles. It was a trying attempt for an old guy that grew up in a time where things like that were acceptable and now he’s come back to the scene and things are different. He’s still a funny guy, just has more learning to do.”
With reviews like these you’ll have to see the show for yourself to decide. The first and second segment of the comedy special is available on Netflix.
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