Some quick reactions, not to refute any of what you've written, but just to give my thoughts. I did watch Chapelle's "The Closer." I saw someone who knows his medium, is willing to push right up to the line or even a little over, who is deliberately provocative, and who slyly lays traps for his critics. If someone takes the bait, he inwardly knows that they've just made fools of themselves.
I think he had a genuine affection for Daphne Dorman. He understood that the community of comedians and the community of people who struggle are significant ones that both of them shared. He's asserting a personal connection over politics, but his critics don't get that. They're too eagerly taking sides—and I think Chapelle might privately feel that fulfilled one of the objectives of his show.
Chapelle is constantly mixing genuine personal emotion with jokes. Not everyone gets that, and in that way, it's a greater commentary on who gets to define the role of the comedian.
Some quick reactions, not to refute any of what you've written, but just to give my thoughts. I did watch Chapelle's "The Closer." I saw someone who knows his medium, is willing to push right up to the line or even a little over, who is deliberately provocative, and who slyly lays traps for his critics. If someone takes the bait, he inwardly knows that they've just made fools of themselves.
I think he had a genuine affection for Daphne Dorman. He understood that the community of comedians and the community of people who struggle are significant ones that both of them shared. He's asserting a personal connection over politics, but his critics don't get that. They're too eagerly taking sides—and I think Chapelle might privately feel that fulfilled one of the objectives of his show.
Chapelle is constantly mixing genuine personal emotion with jokes. Not everyone gets that, and in that way, it's a greater commentary on who gets to define the role of the comedian.