Dave Chappelle's 8:46 Review

Dave Chappelle's 8:46 is currently available to stream on Netflix's YouTube channel for free. [poilib element="accentDivider"] In a time in our history when we could all use a bit more laughter in our lives, iconic comedian Dave Chappelle releases one of his most profound and poignant specials ever, titled 8:46, which is eerily accompanied by the least amount of laughter he's ever not received. The lack of mirth from the audience is not a result of the veteran performer's failure as a comedian, but due in part to Chappelle's powerful message about the recent death of George Floyd at the hands of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Aware of the somber subject matter he's discussing, Chappelle asks the attendees early on, "Are you guys having a good time, or is this weird?" Weird is an apt word to describe the special, as the opening footage reveals guests driving up to the outdoor venue in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio wearing masks, getting temperature checks, and sitting in their socially-distanced designated areas, which are clearly marked on the grass. While Chappelle doesn't address the COVID-19 pandemic directly, it's difficult to ignore the fact that this is an unprecedented time as you watch the crowd reacting to Chappelle, while your only clue as to what they might be thinking is provided through their subtle body movements and their eyes. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-best-netflix-comedy-specials&captions=true"] For a segment with a runtime just a shy of thirty minutes, Chappelle is able to get a lot off his chest in relation to how he feels about racism towards blacks in America. The title 8:46 is in reference to the amount of time Chauvin had his knee on the back of Floyd's neck before he died. That particular time is also significant because it's the time stamped on Chappelle's birth certificate, which effectively adds more urgency to his message throughout. Chappelle's lengthy resume may include titles like comedian, actor, and producer, but in 8:46, he proves that he can be an effective history teacher too. In order to better articulate his beliefs about why people around the world are reacting to Floyd's death in such a passionate way, Chappelle looks back in time to similar events in our nation's history where black men have been killed by law enforcement. Chappelle recounts 15-year-old Trayvon Martin's death at the hands of George Zimmerman back in 2012, and the death of 22-year-old John Crawford III, who was killed at a Walmart not far from where this special was filmed. While these harrowing accounts need no embellishments from Chappelle to make them more impactful, it's remarkable to hear the comedian recount these events so passionately. It's difficult not to get drawn into his message, so much so that at times, 8:46 feels more like a sermon than a comedy special. Whether or not Chappelle's point of view on race relations in America will resonate with the masses remains to be seen, but as the talented comedian says at the end of the show, "These streets will speak for themselves whether I'm alive or dead... We'll keep this space open. This is the last stronghold for civil discourse." It appears that Chappelle isn't quite finished talking about the current state of the world, and while he's remained silent through most of the turmoil in 2020, it's a welcome relief to hear his voice in the midst of all the present chaos. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2018/02/18/7-great-comedies-that-critics-hated"]