Dave Chappelle and I are the same. Well, he’s a year younger than me. And he’s black. But we’re both from Washington DC, but I live in the suburbs, and usually never go into the downtown area unless someone dared me. But he’s a lot funnier than me, and Comedy Central decided to give him a 12 episode commitment on their network after seeing him in such films as Half Baked, Screwed and Undercover Brother.
And quietly, Dave has put together a smart, funny show that everyone instantly dismi…ses, and yet will watch as long as it airs. To watch a crackhead talk about drug awareness at a public school is quite possibly some of the funniest stuff on television in the last 3 or 4 years, and many of the new episodes on Comedy Central leave me in tears. Thankfully the network along with Paramount decided to put Season 1 out on DVD in a two-disc set, in all its uncensored glory. The 1st disc has eight episodes, while the 2nd has the remaining 4, plus a decent helping of bonus material that is sure to keep the laughs going long after you’ve turned off the TV. The episodes are:
- Episode 1: ’03 Eclipse re-mix – Popcopy – It’s not HBO – Old Time Booty Video – Home Stenographer – Blind White Supremacist
- Episode 2: A Pretty White Woman Sings Dave’s Thoughts – Real Sex interview – Dave’s Educated Guess Line – Wrap It Up – Tyrone – Musical guest Mos Def
- Episode 3: QVC will sell ANYTHING – Roots DVD commercial – Zapped – It’s a Wonderful Chest
- Episode 4: Dave Loves Internet Porn – What if Reparations Happened? – Truf.com – NY Boobs – Reparations Progress
- Episode 5: Roca Pads – Redman Toilet Freshener – Great Moments in Hook-Up History – America United? – Ask a Black Dude – Inside the Chappelle Show Studio
- Episode 6: 3rd World Girls Gone Wild – Antwone Fisher – Ask a Gay Dude – Mad Real World – Daves Duet
- Episode 7: More Great Moments in Hook-Up History – Real Movies – Wu-Tang Financial – More Real Movies – More Ask a Black Dude – Jedi Sex Abuse Scandal
- Episode 8: More Real Movies – More Great Moments in Hook-Up History – Racist Hollywood Animals – “What Men Want” – Tyrone’s Intervention
- Episode 9: Dave in Vice City – Blackzilla – Dave’s 2 Minute Comedy Special – Player Hater’s Ball
- Episode 10: “I Wanna Pee on You” – More Ask a Black Dude – “Pee on You” Remix – The History Channel’s Look at Gang Wars – More Real Movies – The White Guys Take Over Dave’s Show
- Episode 11: Fisticuff’s Album – Dave Visits a Sick Child – The Videocamera of Truth – Musical Guest De La Soul
- Episode 12: O’Dweeds – And 1 Tape – Imitating Pro Athletes in Real Life Situations – Dave’s Response to People Magazine – Trading Spouses – Musical Guest Blackstar
Some of the bits do repeat in terms of basic premise, but they are still hilarious with the way Dave ramps on them, and the Player Haters Ball is also hilarious as well. If you can find this, get it, you won’t regret it. Or watch the show before making a decision
Audio
The sound is in Dolby Surround 2.0 only, and considering how recent it is, everything sounds well also, as it should be because some of the bits are accompanied with music, and the musical guests sound good too.
Video
Chappelle’s Show comes to DVD in the usual TV format of 1.33:1 full frame, and everything looks good, much as it should be for episodes that aired a year or so ago.
Special Features
Five of the Twelve episodes come with commentary by Dave and co-creator Neal Brennan. They spend their time watching more than explaining too much, and considering Dave’s amazing improv skills, you can’t really add much background to what’s there. The two do reminisce about the people they found to do the show, some production anecdotes, along with the understandable fights with standards and practices, but overall, there’s nothing to listen to on these tracks.
In addition, there is a half hour full of outtakes and deleted scenes here as well, many of which are hilarious, and in today’s new age of FCC-supervised entertainment, were left out for obvious reasons. These also include commentary with Chappelle and Brennan, and not much is gained from listening here either. But there is more Popcopy, more Trading Spouses, more Player Haters Ball, and more Tyrone for your buck here.
The uncut version of Ask a Black Dude with Paul Mooney is included also, running about 12 minutes long. Most of what is here has already been seen in the episodes on the set, but there are a few here that are good too. Completing things are 2 Comedy Central promos for Reno 911 and Crank Yankers.
Final Thoughts
Two discs of the edgiest, funniest sketch comedy on TV right now, watching one or two episodes will instantly get you hooked, and immediately watching the reruns airing right now on the Ha-Ha network. If you get this, you will re-watch it many times. Highly recommended.
Special Features List
- All 12 uncensored and unblurred episodes with commentary on 5 from creators David Chappelle and Neal Brennan
- Deleted scene/gag reel (30 mins.)
- “Ask a Black Dude with Paul Mooney” featurette (20 mins.)