Renowned comedian Dave Chappelle returned to the screen in his latest Netflix special, “The Dreamer”. The comedian has consistently attracted criticism in recent years for his controversial humor where he has targeted specific social groups. The show’s content is predictably in line with his previous routines, including recurrent jokes aimed at the transgender and disabled communities.

In the first 12 minutes, Chappelle unabashedly makes various jokes on transgender people, his favorite target for some years now. He also adds a new layer to his comedy by mocking instances such as his Hollywood Bowl attack and the infamous incident of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.

“The Dreamer” sees Chappelle in joining another comedy titan, Ricky Gervais, and openly cracks jokes that are perceived as punching down on vulnerable groups. He even goes as far as stating, “I love punching down,” reaffirming that he’s unashamed of this approach.

Chappelle’s comedy style remains divisive. Fellow comedian Gary Gulman has previously jabbed at this comedy elite group. Chappelle’s contentious brand of humor continues to stir conversations and debates, reflecting societal tensions amidst the evolving landscape of comedy.

His decision to go straight back to the jokes on trans people, despite the backlash from “The Closer”, released in 2021, indicates that Chappelle remains undeterred by critique, choosing instead to press forward with his distinctive brand of comedy. However, many continue to question whether comedy should punch down or be aimed at vulnerable social groups.