I think going to see a comedian perform live, there is a certain level of consent to be exposed to controversial or offensive jokes, especially if they are known for that kind of thing. The problem is when that leaves the comedy club, and stops being a joke, and becomes “cover” for actual bigotry disguised as a “joke.” Far too many people think that because it’s funny when a professional says it in a stand-up show, it must also be funny when uncle Steve says it at Thanksgiving.
There is also the issue of punching down, and how that changes when you go from being a working comic doing small shows, to being famous and on Netflix. This is Chappelle’s biggest issue imo. The guy who made Half Baked isn’t the same guy who made Chappelle show, who isn’t the same guy who intentionally picks on trans people for shock value.
I think going to see a comedian perform live, there is a certain level of consent to be exposed to controversial or offensive jokes, especially if they are known for that kind of thing. The problem is when that leaves the comedy club, and stops being a joke, and becomes “cover” for actual bigotry disguised as a “joke.” Far too many people think that because it’s funny when a professional says it in a stand-up show, it must also be funny when uncle Steve says it at Thanksgiving.
There is also the issue of punching down, and how that changes when you go from being a working comic doing small shows, to being famous and on Netflix. This is Chappelle’s biggest issue imo. The guy who made Half Baked isn’t the same guy who made Chappelle show, who isn’t the same guy who intentionally picks on trans people for shock value.