Dave Chappelle addressed the controversy surrounding his participation in the Riyadh Comedy Festival in his latest Netflix special, “The Unstoppable.”
Much of the criticism came from Chappelle’s statement that “it’s easier to talk in Saudi Arabia for me than in America.” Although that might be true for Dave Chappelle, the same can’t be said for anyone not being paid to perform by the Saudi Royal family. The comedians hired to whitewash a regime that’s been responsible for human rights violations, what amounts to human slavery and numerous other atrocities, signed a contract explicitly agreeing to not make jokes about these issues.
And Chappelle’s defense for headlining the festival? “Israel’s killed 240 journalists in the last three months, so I didn’t know y’all were still counting.”
The accuracy of those numbers isn’t the point here. And this article is in no way a defense of Israel. Pointing out how bad America or Israel is doesn’t make him performing at the festival any more justified.
Chappelle continued by doubling down with “I don’t even work at Netflix no more, you know what my new job is? I sit by the phone and wait for them Arabs to call me. Can I help you guys?”
This definitely won’t be Chappelle’s last Netflix special, and it sounds like it might not be his last comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, either; just as long as the money is right.
This turn from Chappelle sits in stark contrast to the guy who walked away from $50 million two decades ago; or was that simply a mirage?
After gaining cult hero status for choosing his artistic vision and independence over money, Chappelle went on to reinvent himself as a storyteller known for his profound social and cultural insights who spoke truth to power.
That image is beginning to crumble upon further examination. The cracks of truth between the jokes are beginning to expose how out of touch he has become.
When you combine the targets of his jokes with the company he keeps, it almost sounds like we’re talking about a comedian from the Joe Rogan sphere. You know, the comedian cult followers of Joe Rogan, the comedy gatekeeper. Who is also a good friend of Chappelle’s.
Rogan was once revered as a brave truth teller. Since his $100 million Spotify deal, Rogan has helped Donald Trump get elected, spread misinformation and is now friends with and platforms various MAGA politicians and tech billionaires.
Let’s not forget Chappelle’s most recent “Joe Rogan Experience” appearance, in which he and Rogan attempted to bolster Elon Musk’s reputation. They referred to him as a “shy guy” who “doesn’t need attention.” And even worse was a 2021 comedy show where Chappelle brought Musk onstage with him and proceeded to defend him against a sea of booing fans by essentially calling them poor.
It’s possible this is who Dave Chappelle always was. In his standup from 2007, he admits, “I’ve done commercials for Coke and Pepsi. I don’t give a f— what comes out of my mouth. I just say whatever it takes.”
In his most recent special, he says “I’m a capitalist!” Maybe he’s been telling us for years, and we weren’t listening. A couple years ago, Chappelle said he was done with trans jokes, but the trans jokes continued in “The Unstoppable.” He’s still resting on the notion he was almost cancelled a couple years ago for trans jokes. The reality is someone as popular and lucrative as Dave Chappelle is not cancellable unless he does something truly horrific.
The old Chappelle from “Chappelle’s Show,” “Block Party” or his “Killing Them Softly” special had a level of gracious humanity to him. There was a glimmer of light in his eye behind what he said. The new version targets marginalized, poor, homeless and trans people. He doesn’t admit to when he’s wrong or doesn’t know. He doesn’t figure it out with his audience. He preaches like a wise man from the older generation.
On the surface, Chappelle gives the impression he’s here to kick some knowledge, impart wisdom and inspire hope. In this special, there are brief moments where you see the old Chappelle. In his style, cadence, his white guy impressions, a brief chuckle or the pronunciation of a certain word.
But underneath, it feels hollow. His jokes don’t bring the truth to light the way they used to. They reveal the darkness and then revel in it with a type of apathy that was unrecognizable twenty years ago.
Maybe our heroes change. Maybe we all do.
Maybe comedians and celebrities shouldn’t be idolized in the first place.
This special was released at a time where people need leadership and a voice of reason more than ever.
People need a voice to trust. Someone to believe in.
“The Unstoppable” ends with him discussing his own fears of being compromised. He plays out a scenario in which if he’s ever co-opted, he needs a way to let the people know.
Chappelle concludes his set by stating: “and don’t listen to nothing that I say after I say those words. But don’t tell anybody what it is, but it’s gotta be something I’d never say. Oh, I know what the code is, the code word is, I stand with Israel.”
On the surface, it seems like Chappelle is saying something dangerous. But for someone with Chappelle’s stature, it was a low-risk statement to gain support by mocking the shills who support Israel.
As a reminder, in Chappelle’s infamous 2006 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he explained why he walked away from the money by saying, “I wasn’t walking away from the money. I was walking away from the circumstances that came with the newfound plateau.”
One has to wonder what those circumstances were, and still are, considering all the money he’s made from Netflix from his specials in addition to the Riyadh Comedy Festival.
One has to wonder if it might already be too late for a code word.
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