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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I watched the new special.

FTR, I’ve always liked Dave, but I’ve noticed his new formula is this:

1. A few very timely and topical “easy” jokes.

2. Some old school “pu$&y” jokes (his bread and butter).

3. A very long, drawn out set of stories that he tries to thread together to demonstrate that he reads, that he’s a wealthy celebrity/special/powerful, something black/white racism, etc.

It’s getting tiresome.

He’s neither as smart or insightful as he fancies, and his ego has grown to such a point that his stories don’t come off as charming or fun anymore. Rather, the arrogance that it obviously masking insecurity is so prominent that it’s become distracting and off putting.

While I’ve laughed throughout his past specials, this one felt different. It almost felt like the entire purpose was to launch a defense for his money grab performance in Saudi Arabia. His “sorry, not sorry” schtick wasn’t impressive, and the whataboutism comparison to Israel was beyond just a stretch…

I think he’s incapable of seeing past race or religion or class, which surprises me as a fellow Gen X’er from Silver Spring (note: Dave is from SS, not DC). I really thought we were better equipped to navigate life without making assumptions and judging people on their color or other labels.

I wish I hadn’t watched it because I think I’ve lost any remaining respect I had for him as a comic. Simply put: Dave just isn’t that funny anymore.

PS - The fact that he points out multiple times during the show that his stories are long and boring—and alludes to losing the crowd—tells me on some level he must know that he’s allowed his massive ego to minimize the actual comedy aspect of his show to prioritize his pontifications on personal issues. Typical when people let money and fame become confused with power and relevance. He’s really not any better equipped than Kanye or Charlie Kirk et al to educate the masses…but he obviously believes he is.

I’d love to see a 90 minute discussion between Dave and Bill Maher on any topics of Dave’s choosing. I bet it would be interesting. [/quote]

You are in the minority. Most people I know who watched (as did I) loved it. Thought it was brave.[/quote]

How so?

I’m baffled as to how anyone with progressive values can justify the Saudi Arabia performance. The mental gymnastics are staggering.

I’m similarly struggling to comprehend how a super rich person who clearly gets off on his power and wealth can be held up as a noble truth teller by anyone who claims to be a liberal.

Any well read historian or person who did their race homework already knew the Jack Johnson and McCain history. Next.

I knew his Diddy connection and understand why he has a complicated soft spot for him, but I don’t see anything noble or brave about his insistence upon finding ways to take jabs at the women caught up in the Diddy scandal. ICYMI: his dig at her payout was intentional and tracks with his other far more offensive comments about the women.

So is it the Israel comment? Is that what you find so brave?

I mean, tons of celebs and the bulk of the mainstream media have called out Israel. Not sure why his comments in late December 2025 are brave given that countless others (with proper bonafides) have said far more critical things in the last year.

So, what’s so brave?

And moreover: should comedy specials be measured by bravery or actual comedy?

Again: I’m a huge comedy fan who has followed his career since he was 19. I have always thought he was hilarious and appreciated how his comedy has matured—and how he leveraged his platform to get audiences (and critics) to think. But I’m beginning to think he’s close to his jumping the shark moment…primarily due to his overinflated sense of self-importance coupled with his inability to recognize that many things can be true at the same time…which essentially means that complex societal and political issues are more nuanced than his rather simplistic take on issues that are obviously personal to him.

Having said that, I’m open to persuasion, pp. [/quote]

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