Why do so many white people think Chappelle is not funny "anymore"?

Question

I think Dave is a genius and borders on the thin line of exposing truths about the social systems that we live in while also driving us crazy with sharp and edgy humor. Its interesting that Dave went to Africa to clear his mind. He came back more intelligent and more focused. In the black community he has gotten both applause and pleas to use his platform in a more intelligent manner. Blacks with a certain level of education and pride simply dont call themselves ******* or ******. I grew up saying it but as I said...with education and knowledge comes questions that will tap at your self identity. So Dave was asked to wear a dress? and to go further than ever before for this third season...and the funny thing is now I have several white co-workers who just dont think hes funny "anymore". I have to admit I wonder whats the real reason? Im curious...is it because he is evolving and now feels weird doing certain sketches that continue to portray black people as idiots?

Ive read some of the answers and thanks. Im the type that likes to start discussion for the sake of seeing how people think. When I ask about white people Im specifically talking about people that were fans in the past. Its also interesting to see how many people yell out that their white and then I hear the question.."CAN WE PLEASE FORGET ABOUT RACE?" ...and to put it quite simple. No. We cant afford to as human beings. And if your african americans in particular you know that we cant forgot the history of this country. Im currently enrollen in an MBA program and Im happy to say Im enrolled at a HBCU which understands the realities of America. Race is something that effets us from an image and culturl standpoint. Period. It doesnt matter whether you like to think about its implications in society. Do you really think median incomes, % of jail populations, #'s of children in special education, or even the number of businesses owned have NOTHING to do with race? Read more then...

Ive read some of the answers and thanks. Im the type that likes to start discussion for the sake of seeing how people think. When I ask about white people Im specifically talking about people that were fans in the past. Its also interesting to see how many people yell out that their white and then I hear the question.."CAN WE PLEASE FORGET ABOUT RACE?" ...and to put it quite simple. No. We cant afford to as human beings. And if your african americans in particular you know that we cant forgot the history of this country. Im currently enrolled in an MBA program and Im happy to say Im enrolled at a HBCU which understands the realities of America. Race is something that effects us from an image and cultural standpoint. Period. It doesnt matter whether you like to think about its implications in society. Do you really think median incomes, % of jail populations, #'s of children in special education, or even the number of businesses owned have NOTHING to do with race? Read more then...

Answer 1

Oh lord can't we please shut up about race. I never thought Dave was funny to begin with

Answer 2

All i have seen lately is Chappelle the lost episodes, which werent as funny as the first two seasons, but I have not seen any work of his since he came back from Africa. I think he is a genious. The lost episodes seemed how people treated him because he had money. Ok, the revenge one was pretty good. But he used to rag on everyone, it was funny. It showed the lowest forms of humanity in all races not just blacks.

Also, you said he is exposing truths then you say he portrayed blacks as idiots? So are you saying blacks are idiots? why does it have to be about black and white, how come if a white person doesnt like a "Certain" person who just happens to be black, that is obviously the reason they dont like them, not because we are all different and there are going to be some people who just dont like you for one reason or another?

Answer 3

I like Dave's humor, as you stated it does make people think. Maybe that's why other percoive it as not funny, I applaud Chappelle on his ability to make us think about how we are more similar than different. George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, and Bill Hicks did this too, The thing I love most about Chapelle is he is not constantly on the same schtick as most black comedians.,,,"the difference between black people and white people etc." and he doese cuss frequently (i am not against that) but look at HBO or BET black comedy special...those people arent funny they just stand up there degrading women and their own race...and other blacks laugh at it..I would be upset at that more tha n anything.if you want truly intelligent stand up comedy try Eddie Izzard, an english transvestite comedian, he will truly make you laugh too hard.

Answer 4

Dave also did a pretty good job bashing whites as well on his show, so why is it ok for him to white bash and not insult Blacks, Hispanics,Asians,etc? Its hypocritical of him to decide that making fun of blacks is wrong but making fun of other races was ok. You have probably guessed by now from my avatar that I am white, and I use to find Dave hilarious. But after his little tirade of running off to Africa because he suddenly felt he was selling out I lost respect for him. Now he tries to be more serious and lost that edge. oh well at least I have the first and second season to enjoy on DVD.

Answer 5

Because the light-heartedness is gone. He turned it into a serious issue and that isn't funny. People know all about realitty, when we watch comedy we wantthe illusion. He destroyed that... so did Comedy Central with those feeble episodes they tried to create. They stunk of desperation. CC should have listened to Dave and just burned them.

Answer 6

I agree with you, Dave is great, so creative, so full of ideas and he has a way to twist things and make them funny.

Well maybe white folks dont think he is funny anymore because he has gone way beyond their funny taste, because he quit working and making millions for a white owned network or simply because they dont understand his jokes. I'm latino and I think they are great, every time I watch his show I laugh the whole time.

Answer 7

I think it's just cultural difference, nothing more. I grew up in multi cultured neighborhood where I didn't act black and my black friends didn't need to put on their white faces. We understood and respected our differences and embraced them. Many of them didn't laugh at white comedians while I was rolling at them. Just as I didn't think a lot of the black comedians were funny but they laughed their butts off. So, to me, it's just cultural difference.
Peace Bro.

Answer 8

well the comedy he did years ago in movies like "robin hood men in tights" is certainly a far cry from the comedy he uses in his television series on comedy central. perhaps when they say they don't' think he's funny "anymore" they might be referring to the Mel books compatible humor they saw years ago. personally i still think he's funny, though I'm ashamed to admit it. racial jokes shouldn't be something we laugh at but somehow he makes us laugh any way. i think he's funniest when he's just being silly rather than doing his racially charged sketches (think the choir singing the diarrhea song as opposed to the trading spouses interracial edition skit).

Answer 9

Hi......it's not about black or white people Chappelle is a acquired taste I like some of his stuff and some I don't mostly he's not my style but I like a lot of other African American comics like Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy which other people who like Chappelle maybe don't like it's a matter of personal taste not skin color.

Answer 10

Not really, it's just that he went off of the air for a while and people forgot about him. Just like most other entertainment fads.

Answer 11

Funny as hell. I think theres alot more to it though. Hes not a done **** to deserve the credit your giving him as a black man savior.