Dave Chappelle doubles down with two Netflix specials for New Year
James R | On 23, Dec 2017
“My parents did just well enough that I could grow up poor around white people…”
Dave Chapelle is doubling down on his plans for the New Year, with not just one but two Netflix specials.
The comic, who is stepping back into the limelight after several years away from it, signed a deal last year to stream two never-before-released specials on the subscription service. The agreement between the comedian and the streaming giant was announced early this week, following his debut hosting gig on SNL. The episode saw SNL hit its best ratings in three years.
Picked from his personal archive, the first special was directed by Stan Lathan at Austin City Limits Live in April 2015 and the second was filmed at the Hollywood Palladium in March 2016. Both were released on Netflix in March, with the deal including a third for an unconfirmed future date.
That third was unveiled as being called Equanimity, and was recorded in Chicago earlier this year. But now, Netflix has revealed that Chapelle has recorded yet another special for the streaming service: The Bird Revelation. That one was recorded in November in Los Angeles.
Both will be released at once on 31st December 2017 – and, to get you in the mood, here’s a bonus clip from Equanimity to go with the trailer above:
Dave Chapelle to celebrate New Year’s on Netflix with new stand-up special
20th November 2017
Dave Chapelle will be celebrating the New Year on Netflix this December, with the release of his new stand-up special.
The special has been recorded and has a release date: none other than New Year’s Eve.
“Dave Chappelle is a legendary voice in comedy – searing, vital and now more than ever, essential,” Lisa Nishimura, Netflix vp, original documentary and comedy, told THR. “Dave’s three new specials promise to be some of the most anticipated events in comedy, and we are honored he will mark his global return on Netflix.”
The special will be titled Equanimity, and was announced with the latest video in the streaming service’s “Netflix is a joke” campaign. In it, Chapelle inserts himself into Stranger Things Season 2, going up against Eleven.
Equanimity will be available on Netflix from 31s December. Here’s the video:
Dave Chapelle’s first two Netflix specials arrive this month
9th March 2017
Dave Chapelle’s first two Netflix specials will arrive this month, the streaming giant has announced.
The comic, who is stepping back into the limelight after several years away from it, signed a deal last year to stream two never-before-released specials on the subscription service.
Picked from his personal archive, the first was directed by Stan Lathan at Austin City Limits Live in April 2015 and the second was filmed at the Hollywood Palladium in March 2016.
They will premiere on Netflix worldwide on Tuesday 21st March, with a third new special to be filmed for the streaming giant later this year.
Here’s a trailer:
Three Dave Chappelle stand-up specials headed to Netflix
23rd November 2016
Dave Chapelle is heading to Netflix with a new deal for three stand-up specials:
The agreement between the comedian and the streaming giant was announced early this week, following his debut hosting gig on SNL. The episode saw SNL hit its best ratings in three years.
“Dave Chappelle is a legendary voice in comedy – searing, vital and now more than ever, essential,” Lisa Nishimura, Netflix vp, original documentary and comedy, told THR. “Dave’s three new specials promise to be some of the most anticipated events in comedy, and we are honored he will mark his global return on Netflix.”
Chapelle’s Netflix shows and his SNL presenting mark a concerted step back into the TV arena by the comic, who has spent several years out of the public since stopping his Chappelle’s Show on Comedy Central in 2005. In addition to a small role in Amazon’s Chi-Raq, the comic has returned to the stage in recent years, with a short run of sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in 2014 and several hundred dates across the US.
Two of the three Netflix specials will be never-before released recordings from Chappelle’s personal archive – the first directed by Stan Lathan at Austin City Limits Live in April 2015 and the second filmed at the Hollywood Palladium in March. They will be released simultaneously on Netflix next year, with the pair signing on to film a new stand-up special exclusively for Netflix for a future date.
Netflix’s deal with Chapelle reinforces the streaming service’s commitment to stand-up comedy, with the ink still drying on a landmark $40 million deal for two stand-up specials from Chris Rock.
“For us, it’s about having enough of a global audience and anticipated engagement that we can get behind all of these projects,” Nishimura told THR of the Rock agreement.