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Q&A: For Chappelle, “The Focus Is on Funny”

By Chris Lecky
Black College Wire

Dave Chappelle Web site

Dave Chappelle discussed his goals, his comedy and his use of the N-word in an interview with The Hilltop at Howard University.

Q: When did you first get the idea to do the television show?

Chappelle: Well I have wanted to do my own show since 1992, but back then I was more focused on my stand-up act, and I really did not have the resources to do my own show. After the success of "Half Baked" [in 1998], Comedy Central gave me the opportunity to do the show and I jumped on it.

Q: Toward what audience is your show geared?

Chappelle: People my age; young people are much bolder and accepting of my style of comedy.

Q: What is the main objective of the "Dave Chappelle Show?"

Chappelle: Just to be funny and get my point of view on certain situations across without preaching.

Q: A lot of people argue that half an hour is only enough time to get a taste of what Dave Chappelle has to offer. Have you ever thought about expanding the show?

Chappelle: Yeah, I have thought about it, but a half hour alone is murder, between Neal [Brennan] and myself, we do all the writing for the show, so at this point it would be too big of a load to try and expand the show.

Q: So how much control do you actually have over the decisions in regard to the show?

Chappelle: I have a lot of the creative control on the show. A committee votes on everything, but I have the final say.

Q: One of the things that the show has been criticized for is the heavy use of the "N-word," how do you feel about that?

Chappelle: The word means a lot of different things to different people. That word is probably a lot harsher to my grandmother, who had to endure being called all types of names, but I grew up in an era where that is a word we use to show our camaraderie to one another. My main reason for using it on the show so much is to erase the hate behind the word and take away the power it once had.

Q: What separates the "Dave Chappelle Show" from other variety shows such as the "Cedric the Entertainer Show" or "In Living Color?"

Chappelle: I'm just trying to reinvent the wheel, push the envelope, and be funny. It's a comedy show; the focus is on funny.

"The Dave Chappelle Show" airs Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time, the show encores on Thursdays. at 12:30 a.m., Saturdays at 12:30 a.m., and Sundays at 1:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. He is on a “Black Villa" comedy tour, which includes a number of HBCUs.

Chris Lecky is a student at Howard University who writes for The Hilltop.