Parents' Guide to

Chappelle's Show

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Edgy, brilliant comedy that's best for adults.

TV Comedy Central Comedy 2003
Chappelle's Show Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 14+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Flanders D.
Flanders D. Adult
April 13, 2018
age 11+

Funny and awesome!

This is so funny but make sure you are 11 or older. I wouldn't advise you to watch if you are under 11!

This title has:

Too much swearing
Bartt T.
Bartt T. Parent
March 25, 2017
age 18+

2017 Dave Chappelle Show

Okay. Let's see where to begin. His original shows were creative and funny, but I recommend it only for very mature audiences 21+. His new shows on Netflix are not good at all, nor or they creative. I don't recommend the 2017 stuff to anyone at any age. These guys say it best: http://www.hudoos.com/netflix-dave-chappelle/

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In sketch comedy show CHAPPELLE'S SHOW, anyone is fair game: white supremacists, anti-drug programs, even PBS. The result is that you never know quite what to expect, with bits whizzing from a parody of the popular MTV show Cribs to a fiercely funny stab at Chappelle's own identity crisis (at one point, he was MIA from his own show, fleeing production for a retreat in South Africa). Recurring characters include cheerful crackhead Tyrone Biggums, clueless rapper Lil Jon, feisty Rick James, and more. Stand-out moments have included Chappelle's turn as a blind Ku Klux Klan member who doesn't realize he's black and a guest appearance by Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) in which the normally squeaky-clean entertainer goes on a pimping, shooting rampage.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (3):

Chappelle's genius is that he's able to mine the current, the political, the seamy, the gross and -- best of all -- the taboo for humor. In doing so, he makes viewers think, even when they're busy holding their sides from laughing too much. It all makes for exhilarating, thought-provoking TV -- except, of course, when kids are in the room. As appealing as Chappelle is to teenagers, his comedy is of the edgiest, adults-only sort.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the issues that Chappelle chooses to satirize. What is the state of race relations in this country? What are the stereotypes the show chooses to skewer based on? Does the show reinforce or dispel those stereotypes? How? Could another comedian do the same skits and get the same response? Why do issues that are, on the face of it, not very funny, play for such great laughs?

  • What do you think about Chappelle's decision to quit doing his show?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate