Althouse: "Predictably, clickbait entertainment websites like AV Club, Vulture and HuffPo are using the [Dave Chappelle] specials as yet another opportunity to pander to the PC outrage of their readers."

January 4, 2018

"Predictably, clickbait entertainment websites like AV Club, Vulture and HuffPo are using the [Dave Chappelle] specials as yet another opportunity to pander to the PC outrage of their readers."

"They've zeroed in on this or that of Dave's marginally transgressive comments, decontextualized them and used them to pronounce him a dinosaur. But that's just what those sites do--they exploit a positive trend (respecting everyone equally) and weaponize it for profit (turning their readers into click-happy, hyperlinking outrage mobs)."

A Reddit discussion.

From the comments: "AVClub are the dinosaurs, a once great site done in by this new wave of SJW circle jerk, outrage happy, jezebel/gawker stroking, purity police fuckery that has taken over so much of online media. We need voices like Chappelle’s to challenge these lazy thinking assholes. That’s exactly why he’s pushing their buttons."

13 comments:

Nonapod said...: I used to regularly visit the AVClub. The TV reviews were pretty good for the most part and the liberal bias wasn't super overt, it was tolerable. Then a bunch of writers left. Then they were purchased by Gawker who was then bought be Univision. And it's been a slow decent into a PC shitshow. It's a disturbing pattern with a lot of once good websites. A similar thing happened to ArsTechnica.; 1/4/18, 10:31 AM
traditionalguy said...: "Purity police fuckery". ..wish I had said that perfect line first.; 1/4/18, 10:32 AM
Michael K said...: Interesting comment about Ars Technica. I don't know about the others.

HuffPo has been hysterical about left wing causes since it began.; 1/4/18, 10:35 AM
Ficta said...: I used to read AV Club all the time, the critics were perceptive and entertaining. Then, a few years ago, they turned over nearly their entire staff and the new staff minutely scrutinize every...damn...thing for correct thought. Ideological purity is by far the major criterion used in nearly every review now, never mind the front page think pieces which are tedious and insufferable. It's depressing. They resemble nothing so much as the Evangelical Christians I grew up around, judging every piece of culture they encountered in terms of whether or not it was doctrinally acceptable.; 1/4/18, 10:36 AM
rehajm said...: Pandering to leftie outrage is all the rage. Late night and cable news have caught on, too.; 1/4/18, 10:57 AM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: "AVClub are the dinosaurs, a once great site done in by this new wave of SJW circle jerk, outrage happy, jezebel/gawker stroking, purity police fuckery that has taken over so much of online media. We need voices like Chappelle’s to challenge these lazy thinking assholes. That’s exactly why he’s pushing their buttons."

Sensible comment.

I would have thought people, especially young people, would have tired of this constant scolding and nannying and policing long ago but many of them seem comfortable with it - or else they are simply too cowed to object.; 1/4/18, 11:02 AM
Wince said...: Evidently, Chappelle has been insufficiently anti-Trump enough to redeem himself.; 1/4/18, 11:17 AM
Biff said...: The irony is that Chappelle's storytelling skills are so strong that he left me both more sympathetic to and more empathetic with people and situations the Left insists it wants to help, even if he didn't change my basic positions. Chappelle committed the cardinal sin of respecting those he disagrees with enough to open the door to dialogue and to finding common ground, even if the common ground ends up being small. Chappelle is a mortal threat to the pimps at AV Club, Vulture, HuffPo, etc.; 1/4/18, 11:25 AM
William said...: I saw the two Chappelle Netflix specials. I can see why he's a star. It's no longer enough for a comedian to be funny. He must demonstrate the anguish that motivates his jokes. He must be a moral prophet spitting jeremiads at the wasteland in the hope that his spittle will cause the roses to bloom......,, Chappelle has a strong dramatic presence. He's something more than a comedian. He's aiming for a Lenny Bruce or Richard Pryor vibe. The comedian as tragic hero.......He pretends to go over the line. It's a very convincing act.; 1/4/18, 11:39 AM
Unknown said...: I watched the first of the 2 new specials last night, where he did go on at length about trans. It was well done. I'm center right, and he seems to be center left, but I peg him in the "South Park" category of humor; take a shot at everyone, and the groups that get the biggest reaction, is where you keep poking. Comedy is hard, and the best comedy comes from raw subjects.; 1/4/18, 2:58 PM
Krumhorn said...: I saw both specials. I think he’s a bit confused about what he wants to say. In spite of his repeated disclaimers, his best material clearly reflects the point he is trying to make...which he immediately follows with “I’m just f*king around”. No he’s not.

His comments about the brittle ass spirit that reacted so poorly to a guy pulling his pud on the phone reflected his thinking. His “yuck”comment to seeing some trans photos in Playboy was funny because it reflected a shared truth.

He’s a smart guy, but he’s too sensitive to the squeals of his SJW critics. He needs more of the “eat me!” attitude of Chris Rock. Say your lines; get your laughs; leave the stage; and cash your check.

- Krumhorn; 1/4/18, 4:48 PM
Kansas Scout said...: I watched half of his special on netflix. He's not really funny anymore. He's lost his best parts and gained some bad one. I quit halfway.; 1/4/18, 9:46 PM
Zach said...: The AV Club used to have a great staff that turned out really interesting articles regularly. Even non pop culture articles like candy convention reviews were enjoyable. Then everyone left, and there's just nothing there anymore.

I just went there for the first time in forever and saw one article on the front page worth checking out: The 10 books we can't wait to read in 2018.

6 out of the 10 books have heavy handed politics prominently mentioned in the review. Zero out of 10 look interesting. So out of the entire front page, I get zero interesting content, from what used to be one of my favorite sites.

Pop culture is supposed to be fun. Who's having fun here?; 1/4/18, 10:23 PM