Chappelle's Show Is 10 Years Old Today. No Sketch Show Has Surpassed It. Discuss.

[Solid Snake]

I'm kind of conflicted so far with Chappelle because, of the first seventeen skits I've seen (the first seventeen on the bracket), some have really positive and constructive social commentary motivating their scripts and others just seem...racist for the mere sake of being racist, for lack of a better way to put it. Neither the Tyrone Fear Factor and Mad Real World episodes really worked for me. I'd actually be genuinely intrigued to read an African American's commentary on skits like that because those skits seemed to play on racist stereotypes of blacks to make their jokes in a really negative and spiteful way, but it's entirely possible that by virtue of my privilege, I'm missing crucial context.

[Magus]

I'm pretty sure being able to misquote Chappelle's Show means I'm one of the luckiest motherfuckers on the planet because I apparently DIDN'T have to hear that said as many times as the rest of you.

[Nique]

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

I'm kind of conflicted so far with Chappelle because, of the first seventeen skits I've seen (the first seventeen on the bracket), some have really positive and constructive social commentary motivating their scripts and others just seem...racist for the mere sake of being racist, for lack of a better way to put it. Neither the Tyrone Fear Factor and Mad Real World episodes really worked for me. I'd actually be genuinely intrigued to read an African American's commentary on skits like that because those skits seemed to play on racist stereotypes of blacks to make their jokes in a really negative and spiteful way, but it's entirely possible that by virtue of my privilege, I'm missing crucial context.

Well, and this is coming from probably virtually the same perspective as yours so take it for what it is, but it seems like it's a combination of things. There's some stuff that's an in-joke, some stuff that makes a point, and some that is just straight-up gross. Even the most thoughtful of the 'big' comedians still present pretty messed-up material.

[Jagos]

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

I'm kind of conflicted so far with Chappelle because, of the first seventeen skits I've seen (the first seventeen on the bracket), some have really positive and constructive social commentary motivating their scripts and others just seem...racist for the mere sake of being racist, for lack of a better way to put it. Neither the Tyrone Fear Factor and Mad Real World episodes really worked for me. I'd actually be genuinely intrigued to read an African American's commentary on skits like that because those skits seemed to play on racist stereotypes of blacks to make their jokes in a really negative and spiteful way, but it's entirely possible that by virtue of my privilege, I'm missing crucial context.

Have you seen the Real World and how stereotypical must of the people began to be around the 5th season?

And no... Tyrone was always this stereotypical black homeless crackhead. I never liked his character because he was the worst of black stereotypes that Chappelle could play. Thinking back on it, it may have to do with my remembering him as a class caricature, someone that most white people actually think is the existence of blacks in this country (you have no idea how many people are amazed I speak two languages as an example). It just seemed to... Forced given some of his other comedy.

I also felt the pimp party was stupid for the same reasons. Once you realize that the 70s black actors could only find work as pimps, police officers, or prostitutes, it's kind of hard to make a joke about it (but then again that's me being meta)

[Premmy]

Originally Posted by Jagos

I also felt the pimp party was stupid for the same reasons. Once you realize that the 70s black actors could only find work as pimps, police officers, or prostitutes, it's kind of hard to make a joke about it (but then again that's me being meta)

Well,
1: It was a Player-hater's ball.
2: It's a parody of an actual thing that happens.

[Jagos]

Well shit...

[Aerozord]

I assume you mean no live action sketch show has surpassed it, because I will go on record as saying Robot Chicken is the most hilarious sketch comedy show

Originally Posted by Lumenskir

I guess the best way to say it is that a lot of sketch comedy these days is made by people who have come up through established comedy channels, where they've honed their craft and refined what they want to say, and they produce these beautiful little crystalline objects of humor with great regularity. And Chappelle's show just feels really organic, like a gushing/messy vein of hilarity.

So you are saying

flawed random comedy talent > carefully refined and perfected skill

Plus he came through established channels, well as established as most comedians in sketch shows.

Personally I liked the early days of the show but noticed him just repeating himself alot as things went on. Its an inherent issue with any sketch show featuring a single individual. Burning out and running out of material becomes an eventuality.

[Lumenskir]

I assume you mean no live action sketch show has surpassed it, because I will go on record as saying Robot Chicken is the most hilarious sketch comedy show

So you are saying

flawed random comedy talent > carefully refined and perfected skill

Not at all, but I commend you on your framing. (bt way, messy =/= flawed/random, nor does refined =/= perfect)

If you look at what I was actually comparing, it's the difference between something that feels organic and something that feels crystalline. These are admittedly bullshit terms for generalized feelings, but I was talking about what I look for in art so I think it's allowed.

[Aerozord]

Originally Posted by Lumenskir

cute, but last time I checked you aren't ten. You should try actually making an argument instead of childishly rebuking it with mockery, or at the very least do it in your own words instead of using internet memes. Come now, you are better than this.

[Magus]

Originally Posted by Aerozord

Come now, you are better than this.

I object to this assertion. Made wholly without evidence or objective proof.