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| Dave Chappelle on SNL (Variety) |
Let me say at the outset, that Chapelle is one of the more talented standup comedians. He is also one of the most controversial – being about as politically incorrect as possible, usually without crossing any lines. However his humor dances perilously close to the edge of those lines all the time. Which is why he is so controversial.
But before I begin to analyze what he said. I need to make clear my views about this show. SNL is one of the most disgusting pieces of trash on broadcast television. It practically defines amorality. There is no such thing as sexual morality on that show. Whatever gets a laugh is fair game.
The kind of humor this program features routinely reflects the lowest moral standards of the culture. Sex jokes abound! There seems to be practically no limits to what they can - and do say to get a laugh. It makes Lenny Bruce’s ‘blue humor’ (for which he was boycotted back in the 50s) seem pristinely clean by comparison.
A huge portion of the American people eats it all up. Seeing little - if any - value in the sexual mores of the bible these days. Values that religious people hold very dearly. The vast majority of religious people are surely repulsed by SNL. But, sadly, shows like SNL have tremendous influence - especially on young people.
Just needed to get that off my chest. Back to Chappelle. His ‘cutting edge’ monologue on SNL was laden with controversy. Nothing new there. Except that this time it was about us – the Jewish people.
I don’t think Chappelle is an antisemite. But in his monologue he seemed to imply that the reaction to Kanye West’s antisemitism was overblown and way out of proportion to reality. And that his views might in fact have a basis.
His opening remarks ridiculed the kind of disclaimer often heard by prominent people who in reality couldn’t care less about us one way or the other - but in a proforma way say that they reject all forms of antisemitism and stand with the Jewish people. He read it off of a piece of paper pulled out of his jacket pocket and added ‘Kanye, this is how you buy some time’.
I get the humor. But the subtle message here is that disclaimers like this are often insincere and made just to politically correct in order to protect their careers. The implication? Jews have too much influence. The joke was funny. But the message was not.
His next joke was about West’s going ‘Defcon against the Jews. While obviously not approving of it, it sounded more like what he saying is that whatever Kanye feels about the Jewish people – right or wrong - ‘Shut up!’ Chappalle did not say that West was right or wrong for thinking those thoughts. Leaving it to his audience to interpret it..
Chappelle also said that he learned very early in his career that there are two words that you can never say together. ‘The’ and ‘Jews’. This got a big laugh. He understands that when someone opens up with ‘The Jews’ it is often followed by antisemitic content. But again. he did not say whether he thought those words should ever be used. Which can be interpreted to mean that people using them should not automatically assumed to be antisemitic.
His most controversial joke was about whether Jews control Hollywood. But again, the way he said it can be interpreted 2 ways. He said that he has been in Hollywood and that there are a lot of Jews there - a lot! The implication being that there is a reason that some people believe that Jews control Hollywood - and not in a positive way. After a slight pause he said that it doesn’t mean that they control Hollywood. But again, the implication being that it also doesn’t mean they don’t. Allowing his audience to draw their own conclusions.
What all of this boils down to is that the antisemites of the world can now add Chappelle’s words to their repertoire and use them against us. Adding them to what Kanye said.
Yes, Chappelle is a very funny man. Very talented. Very edgy (obviously). And very politically incorrect. But...I don’t know. Maybe part of the point he was making is that we are being overly sensitive about what constitutes antisemitism. Perhaps .Nonetheless I was very unhappy with his monologue. The lack of clarity surely adds fuel to the fire of antisemitism – even if that was not his intent.
That does not by any means mean that we should boycotting him. I believe it would be counterproductive. Because that too will add fuel to that fire. It would surely also lend false credence to the canard that Jews have too much power.
This is why I was reluctant to talk about it at all. But antisemitism is on the rise and truth is important. We need to be as vigilant as possible about it Which is why – despite my belief that the vast majority of the American people are not antisemitic - there are plenty of people that are.
Why, one might ask is this worthy of any comment at all? It’s not like Chappelle’s comedy routine is high on the list of what is important to the Jewish people. However, the reality is that entertainers with a large following are very influential. They can sway opinions very quickly against us. Even if it is not their intent. Especially when done in subtle ways or with humor. If any of his many fans have no clear view about us, a monologue like this can easily sway them the wrong way. That is what makes Chappalle’s monologue so dangerous. And why I felt compelled to comment on it.
Nuff said.