DVD REVIEW: "Chappelle's Show: Season Two Uncensored"
POSTED
ON
05/26/05 AT 9:30 A.M.
By Scott Iasillo
With his most outrageous act being the sudden halt of his show’s production
and a shocking visit to a South African mental health hospital, Dave Chappelle
has remained in the limelight despite a year passing since his televised second
season. Aside from Chappelle’s eccentric behavior, the DVD release
Chappelle’s Show: Season 2 Uncensored, will allow for the comedian
to remain a popular subject within entertainment pow-wows. Successfully distributed
on two discs, with an additional third disc of bonus features, the 13-episode
season is brought to the viewer uncut and uncensored. With nothing bleeped or
blurred, Season 2 is an unfathomable piece of modern humor! This critic can rightfully
say Chappelle’s Show has a place in television history
as one of the most original, raunchy, and groundbreaking series ever accepted
by the general public.
Who can doubt Chappelle’s Show after looking back at this
second season? Practically every social function I frequented had some drunken
buffoon exclaiming Lil’ Jon’s “Yeaaaaah” or “Okaaaaay!”
Or better yet, the Super Freak’s infamous “I’m Rick James, bitch.”
And whether one finds that person a copycat or those sayings played out, one has
to agree that the originator was Dave Chappelle, and at first showing they made
everyone laugh. Yet in many ways Chappelle’s Show: Season 2
is disregarded because of the immense popularity of the two aforementioned skits.
I found this season another comedic success but shadowed by these two impersonations.
Who remembers some of the more challenging and original ideas of this season?
Black Gallagher, Chappelle’s take on the corny sledgehammer-wielding 80s
comic, and the witty black George W. Bush political segment are two personal favorites.
From the clever race draft to the lesser known but equally funny World Series
of Dice, season 2 is packed with Chappelle-humor at its finest.
Most importantly, season 2 proclaims itself a top-notch DVD in its bonus features.
We are given an entire DVD composed of five special features. With a running time
of roughly 21/2 hours, the perks after purchasing this product should fill your
body with a “money-well-spent” spirit. Trust me, no matter how much
the price, the bonus features are well worth it:
• Extra Stand-Up from Dave: Chappelle’s routine of introducing
his skits is documented here and the viewer’s granted a look at a genius
comedian working a crowd. His improv and stand-up routine are based on crowd
reactions and his typical introductions are substituted with numerous approaches
of greeting oneself. This stand-up is proof he’s a fabulous comedian.
• Bloopers and Deleted Scenes: A combination of both, this special feature
runs over one hour, with Chappelle displaying his best comedic talents. Almost
every character he has done can be watched in this reel, with each skit containing
a different punch line in every take. Certain segments (particularly the Rick
James) are so funny and so risqué; it baffles me how they never aired
on TV. It’s that entertaining.
• 2 Unaired Charlie Murphy Stories: The highlight of the bonus features,
these two stories exhibit Charlie Murphy at his best. Though the stories aren’t
reenacted by Murphy and Chappelle, you will still laugh at the way Murphy tells
them. One deals with Eddie Murphy’s childhood friend that got severely
inebriated one night and was out of line, and the other deals with Charlie Murphy’s
own personal problems as a bouncer for his brother. In both stories Charlie
explains a hysterical anecdote to the camera. Standing in front of a green backdrop,
Murphy spins a yarn that’ll leave you in tears.
• Charlie Murphy’s Rick James Memories: This special feature has
Murphy telling more elements to the Rick James relationship. He discusses bum-rushing
live concerts, his drug use, and his experience inside Studio 54 amongst other
things. These memories are Murphy’s testimonial to his wild days as a
youthful older brother to Eddie.
• The Rick James Extended Interview: This is the entire Rick James interview
uncut. It’s amazing to hear the former superstar trail off in his stories
of Charlie Murphy. His brain is fried, it’s proof of the harmful effects
of too much drug use, but this interview is pure eye candy. You’ll definitely
be entertained.
• Audio Commentary by Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan: This commentary
is great in that Chappelle and co-creator Brennan give insight into all their
skits. There is commentary on all episodes and on the outtakes and deleted scenes
as well. Fun to hear the inside scoop from these individuals.
I highly recommend any Dave Chappelle fan, better yet any true comedy fan,
run out and cop this DVD. Though season one still ranks as the better of the
two, this DVD contains the skits and special features that make it an instant
classic. With the summer approaching, the best way to lamp through such lazy
days is watching Chappelle’s Show: Season 2 Uncensored.
So sit down, pop open a bottle of Sam Jackson and get yourself a sugar cookie,
mon. And don’t worry how sweaty you get; you could always “purify
yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.”
DVD Score: A
Special Features Score: A+
Overall Score: A+
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