Dave Chappelle takes aim at trans and disabled people in a new Netflix special

• Dave Chappelle has his first comedy special on Netflix in two years, “The Dreamer.”
• It covers a range of topics but doesn't abandon the trans jokes that have caused a stir.
• Netflix has recently rolled out other “anti-woke” comedy specials, including Ricky Gervais and Matt Rife.

Dave Chappelle has another stand-up special on Netflix, and he hasn't held back from the “disturbing” jokes that have caused him — and Netflix — backlash in recent years.

In “The Dreamer,” released Dec. 31, he captures images of the transgender and queer communities as well as people with disabilities. “Tonight, I’m going to tell all the handicapped jokes,” he says. “They're not as organized as gays, and I like to hit.”

Chappelle wastes no time targeting trans people In the first 12 minutes of the hour-long special, his seventh Netflix exclusive, though he says he doesn't “do trans jokes anymore.”

It also touches on Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage in 2022 and time He was tackled to the Hollywood Bowl that same year.

“The Dreamer” builds on Chappelle's controversial 2021 special “The Closer” and 2019's “Sticks and Stones” when Chappelle joked about trans people, Michael Jackson's accusers, and #MeToo, among other topics Other.

Netflix employees pulled out in 2021 after Chappelle's The Closer, but the negative backlash appears to have had little impact.

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos initially defended Chappelle's specials, citing artistic freedom, but later… I confess He “made the mistake” of not acknowledging the pain they caused some employees.

The question of whether comedians should “punch” — that is, make jokes about less fortunate or marginalized groups — has become a hot topic in the United States. Cultural discourse. Netflix has found a lane with other “anti-woke” comedy specials recently, including those from Ricky Gervais and Matt Rife.

And during media coverage Criticize “Dreamer” as well lazy, the audience seems to be eating it up. After two days, “The Dreamer” achieved a viewership rating of 85%. a result on Rotten Tomatoes, close to his other recent specials.

Gervais and Rife did not fare well as they scored 61% And 18% With the fans straight