Dave Chappelle: The Closer
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 5, 2021
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 64
  3. Negative: 13 out of 64

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. brockcheese
    Oct 10, 2021
    5
    Chappelle seems a little bit too concerned with past criticism here and isn't really saying anything new that he hasn't said in his past few specials.
  2. Sweeb
    Oct 8, 2021
    10
    He takes the mic out of everything like a comedian should. Does not hold back and that's what makes him good.
  3. Psychoticrow
    Oct 12, 2021
    10
    The man talks with such incite and nuance that although almost anyone could find it hilarious, there will be many who just don't grasp how perfect his humor and mind are. They will miss the point so to speak.
    This man is full of love and laughter and if you can't pick up on that, I think what you really need is a deep look within yourself.
  4. Saul2021
    Oct 8, 2021
    10
    He brought much needed humor into otherwise way too serious environment. People he made fun of will be angry, no doubt about it, but that speaks more about them than about Dave Chappelle. Those who can't handle being made fun of will always have a very sad, insecure and mundane life.
    Some jokes are disgusting, so it certainly is not family friendly, but other than that, it's a must watch.
  5. Izzytehpwnr
    Oct 12, 2021
    10
    Libtards think they can cancel the GOAT of comedy? sorry not gonna happen. Fight back people and protect his right to free speech.
  6. Pisomojado
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    Fearless and un-cancellable, Chapelle may be the only comic left who can say what he wants and, no matter how much they try with tears of rage and impotent fury, they can't shut him down. The truth just sounds different. It's clear and musical. The Closer is brilliant and hilarious transgressive humor. For real, laugh out loud funny. I saw it a few days ago and I still feel good andFearless and un-cancellable, Chapelle may be the only comic left who can say what he wants and, no matter how much they try with tears of rage and impotent fury, they can't shut him down. The truth just sounds different. It's clear and musical. The Closer is brilliant and hilarious transgressive humor. For real, laugh out loud funny. I saw it a few days ago and I still feel good and chuckle just remembering it.… Expand
  7. mickrussom
    Oct 9, 2021
    9
    decent dave chappelle showing. not a fan of some of his leftist takes and i think he fell for the saint floyd propaganda but he is the only one brave enough these days to make leftists uncomfortable and dave chappelle plays for laughs and not clapter.
  8. propulsion
    Oct 8, 2021
    9
    Another one of his many funny shows! Right up there with Sticks and Stones.
  9. Noxious
    Oct 22, 2021
    10
    As Dave said...leave it in the comments. 10/10 for team TERF. Team Potter. He has done more to humanize the trans community than any check mark on twitter.
  10. rsent
    Oct 12, 2021
    10
    Dave is funny as usual but more importantly this is a new Dave Chappelle. This one is stating his perspective and asking questions. Its up to you the viewer to discern and answer those questions.
  11. JackFlynn
    Oct 11, 2021
    9
    Dave's love letter to the alphabet people.

    It doesn't quite surpass 'Sticks & Stones', but still, it's Dave's unique and very funny perspective. Another great one from the GOAT!
  12. dorout
    Oct 10, 2021
    10
    This last special on David's contract with Netflix is the best closer of any comedy special there is. I am politically homeless, an independent, but I can tell you David takes shots at ALL sides. His Mike Pence short skit had me rolling. There is enough comedy in here to go around and to touch on your preferences, but there are also areas that you may feel uncomfortable and that is OKAY. IThis last special on David's contract with Netflix is the best closer of any comedy special there is. I am politically homeless, an independent, but I can tell you David takes shots at ALL sides. His Mike Pence short skit had me rolling. There is enough comedy in here to go around and to touch on your preferences, but there are also areas that you may feel uncomfortable and that is OKAY. I watched this entire special through and through, and watched his closer multiple times because the message is beyond powerful and heartfelt.... UNLESS you are on the political left. Let me explain.

    To iterate, David's jokes are across the spectrum, but the same people that cried about Sticks & Stones are crying again for literally no reason. David's message fell on deaf ears yet again. This is COMEDY. It is supposed to be a safe space where anything goes. To those people, aren't you a supporter of safe spaces? Oh? Not if the group-think doesn't align with yours. Gotcha.

    With regards to all of these media outlets catching wind they are doing what they do best -- literally lie to anyone and everyone they possibly can reach. They. Are. All. LYING! To. You. Anyone that calls David Chapelle a misogynist, transphobe, anti-trans, racist, etc. any other risible term they are two things here: 1, a liar. 2, an ignorant who didn't even watch his special The Closer.

    The controversy surrounding these false claims and lies were absolutely rectified in a manner that David went well above and beyond a COMEDIAN can do. He expressed himself the way he knows how to and he did so by opening his heart with multiple messages sent to the trans community, the gay community, and many other on the left, but they are drowning in their own hatred and ignorance to realize the message behind the show. Which brings me to my next point. Daphne Dorman.

    Rest. In. Peace. Daphne Dorman.

    I am an independent who voted for Trump twice and I can tell you with indomitable conviction that I personally don't give a sh-t what you call yourself or what you look like as long as you are a good person. Well, with that same absolute conviction I can see Daphne was a good person and it pains me to see how she was unfortunately treated, which lead to her demised. I shed tears for her.

    Aren't I supposed to be the transphobe because I voted Trump TWICE? Aren't the members of the political right supposed to be transphobe? No. We all stand in solidarity to show full support to Daphne Dorman. The only transphobes here are the proponents of the left per usual. After I watched this special I spent 2 hours searching for a gofundme or the trust fund David started because I wanted to donate, but anything with regards to Daphne has been censored. Evil is afoot.

    The trans community need more support than other communities because of their internal conflicts they battle with each and every day. I know of this battle because I have a life-long trans friend who is still in my life -- going on 30+ years. The minds of some of these people is fragile. They have the HIGHEST suicidal rate, period. My friend is 41 and struggles to maintain a positive outlook. She suffers from heavy depression and always has thoughts of suicide. It is a curse. The constant battle of who she was growing up, how people treated her for being different, how there was never a sense of peace because she felt she belonged to no group -- an outlier. It is a damming situation to be in. While the struggle continued, she would pretend to be happy, she would smile in front of friends and family, but deep down inside it is chaotic and sad.

    Now, extend that knowledge to Daphne. The community where she felt like she finally had a sense of peace and belonging demonized and ostracized her over defending a FRIEND! Imagine being on the receiving end of a mob of hatred. Imagine being the friend Daphne defends. Imagine the emotional toll that takes on a trans person who is already lost in life. To the ignorant, she had a daughter that no longer has Daphne in her life. There are so many variables at play here that should make you stop and think of the awful harm you are sending to another person. Where is the empathy? Are these 'tolerant' and 'loving' communities truly that oversaturated with hatred? What a tragedy.

    Daphne must have felt so alone.    … Expand
  13. OuterThought
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    Amazing and brilliant and not afraid to speak on any topic
    You can't cancel the GOAT
  14. Quadrapole
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    If you want actual gut laughing comedy, this is it. Dave is no holds barred, raw comedy and he burns everyone. He uses comedy to tell truths that can't be said in today's politically correct, thought police society.

    Love the show
  15. kuehnau
    Oct 20, 2021
    10
    I may just be an insensitive jerk, but I've always enjoyed Dave and his brand of comedy. He has probably made fun of everyone at least once.

    This current backlash from the LGBT community has caused me to lose a lot of respect for them. Stop acting like simps.
  16. eugene_ramone
    Nov 2, 2021
    10
    One of the most touching performances I've seen. Thanks to Dave for this sincerity.
  17. OldManLav
    Jan 28, 2022
    10
    Still the best. Gives me hope to see on here that a great majority of people in the world are still able to not take themselves too seriously, and do something that the vocal minority would do well to learn: enjoy the power of laughing with others.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. Decider
    Reviewed by: Sean L. McCarthy
    Oct 6, 2021
    80
    It’s Dave Chappelle. This special really is geared toward people who have been paying attention to his previous performances. ... Chappelle clearly wants to go out with a bang. If he meant his YouTube special (8:46) as his own rallying cry that Black Lives Matter, and his IG videos as a way to show other entertainers how to fight for their own rights, then he intends for The Closer to blaze a path for other stand-up comedians to survive and thrive in this moment when anyone and everyone feels they can try to “cancel” you over your words.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Brian Logan
    Oct 6, 2021
    40
    The Closer toggles between two modes: aggressive gags about Chappelle’s antagonists, and feeble protests that he never said anything prejudiced in the first place. There’s also much self-regarding commentary on how brave he’s being.
    Read full review
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Craig Jenkins
    Oct 6, 2021
    30
    If you feel like people complain about comedy too much, you’ll love this special for addressing most of the criticism leveled at Chappelle’s recent work, however speciously. If you only wanted to get through one of these without a long, crabby detour on gay people and gender identity, Closer’s designed to work your nerves. ... This time, he’s going for the predictable jabs and rehashing takes that were old hat five years ago. His head is up his ass. He needs new ideas.
    Read full review