8:46

Released on YouTube by Netflix Is A Joke - the streamer's comedy and stand-up "brand" - the audience could be misled into thinking this was another installment of Chappelle's latest run of hilarious stand-up specials, like Sticks and Stones.

The name 8:46, inspired by how long the police officer who killed George Floyd's knelt on his neck, should give viewers an indication that this half-hour shouldn't be as filled with laughs as other times Chappelle got up on a stage. The brief description -

"Normally I wouldn't show you something so unrefined, I hope you understand"

• is another clue.

From the pandemic-compliant live audience sitting meters apart of each other and with masks, to the use of a notebook to the keep the comedian on track, 8:46 is definitely raw. That helps to make it much closer to a podcast or a personal essay than to a fully rehearsed stand-up routine.

But 8:46 is a captivating watch.

Chappelle's takes you on a journey by narrating through many events in his life that are tied to violence against or involving the African-American community.

It is true, the laughs are few and far in between. The distance between audience members also makes each joke harder to land. But you still get glimpses of quintessential Chappelle in this 30-minute long "special", including a reference to the famous "Where's Ja Rule?" joke.

In fact, what makes 8:46 bewitching is Chappelle's command of his own tone and enunciation.

8:46 is not a hilarious watch, no.

But if you are at all interested in the current social unrest in the US and the (latest) events that triggered it, watching a personal essay by Dave Chappelle - an African-American comedy legend who always spoke on the issue of race - should be very high up on your list.

You have been warned. If you like that sort of thing...Enjoy!

Anyone who doesn't understand his point of view and what is going on in the United States 🇺🇸 right now, should not provide comment. It's a matter of a man seeing another man brutally treated-not for the first time, not for the 1000th time, but as common practice. From the emasculation and beating of slaves, to the group lynching to modern Commonplace violence - all because the person exists has a different skin??? How can you not be upset, how can you not understand, at a minimum how can you not empathize. Thanks Dave for telling the truth.

I admit, this was more of a rant than a well-executed stand-up special, but it was necessary! Besides, Dave gave the audience a verbal disclaimer at the onset. There are very few political satirists at the top of the black comedy food chain. I imagine, because it can be a career killer or maker in Hollywood, but David has already shown the world that his personal integrity and truth far outweigh the almighty dollar and what's considered "safe" material. He walked away from $50 million, and everyone thought he had lost his mind! Boy, did he prove them wrong.

The only other black stand-up comedians I can think of that push the subject matter envelope and dare to go where others won't are Chris Rock, DL Hughley, Wanda Sykes and Michael Che. These comedians make us all think about hard-truths, and not just hee and haw when we're done watching. Political satire is an art form all its own that not many comedians possess. I feel you Dave on every level!

This was a special, but not a comedy special. It was much more than that. He does have a thesis that serves as the backbone of the 27 or so minutes of material, but it's secondary to the content. Is it raw? Yeah. It's current, it's now. He makes reference to how his great-grandfather was born a slave...thats not thousands of years ago, that's now.

If you are expecting a gut-busting laugh-fest, you will be sorely disappointed. It's not perfect, but this needs to be watched, if only for perspective. To reiterate, its not a comedy special, it's history.