10 Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials Of The Last Decade On Netflix

Yes, this may be cheating, given that The Age of Spin & Deep In The Heart of Texas are two different specials, but they were released as a package on Netflix. It was challenging enough trying to pick which of Chappelle's specials should make this list; after a 13 year hiatus, Chappelle has dropped five specials in the last three years.

These are the first two specials Chappelle recorded in over a decade and, while he maintains his excellent delivery and use of language, he is more introspective when discussing his thoughts and feelings on issues such as Bill Cosby, the 2016 American election, the LGBTQ+ community, and racial tensions in the US today. Chappelle seems to be out of touch with the times, but recognizes this and tries to talk through his opinions on these divisive topics.

Chappelle discusses delicate, polarizing subjects with all the subtlety of a bulldozer, yet his material is thought provoking and funny, all the same. Both of Chappelle's specials have content that drew the ire of critics, however he is a comedian whose delivery and persona are vital to his humour. Many negative reviews of both specials include quotes from Chappelle's shows; if his act is read simply as a script, sure, it is offensive, but it is also removed from context and overlooks the importance of delivery.

Chappelle's brilliance is on full display throughout these specials and he, once again, demonstrates why he is one of the greatest comedians of all time.