Introduction

In a striking reminder of his cultural commentary prowess, Dave Chappelle returned to the 'Saturday Night Live' stage this past weekend, a platform he has graced during pivotal moments in U.S. history. His first appearance as host came just days after the contentious 2016 presidential election, where he made headlines with his poignant endorsement of President-elect Donald J. Trump, stating, 'I’m wishing Donald Trump luck... And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one too.'

Chappelle's Recent Absence

Chappelle hosted 'SNL' again following the 2020 presidential election, but this year, he chose to skip the anticipated hosting gig for the 2024 slot. In a robust and engaging monologue, he outlined his reasons, relaying a conversation with Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator. Although Michaels urged him to return, Chappelle confidently quipped, 'Things are going good. I finished my Netflix deal. I got all this money and stuff.' On a lighter note, he humorously asked Michaels to reserve the date closest to January 6, hinting at the historical significance of that date.

Chappelle’s Monologue Highlights

Dressed sharply in a suit and tie, Chappelle tackled a diverse array of current events, addressing issues like the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. With a wry smile, he lamented, 'It is way too soon to do jokes about a catastrophe like that,' before pivoting to share how the fires impacted friends and colleagues within the entertainment industry, notably actors Cary Elwes and Dennis Quaid, as well as rapper Madlib. Displaying his characteristic social critique, Chappelle expressed dismay over callous online comments wishing for celebrities to lose their homes, stating, 'That’s why I hate poor people. Because they can’t see past their own pain.'

Economic Commentary on Disasters

Chappelle didn't shy away from bold proclamations, referring to the wildfires as 'the most expensive natural disaster that’s ever happened in United States history,' primarily due to the affluence of Los Angeles residents. He sarcastically contrasted this with the minimal economic impact of similar disasters elsewhere, saying, 'I could burn 40,000 acres in Mississippi for like six or seven hundred dollars.'

International Responses and Political Jabs

Drawing attention to the international response, Chappelle highlighted the aid from countries like Canada and Mexico, providing a humorous jab at Trump’s directives regarding foreign support: 'Trump was like, ‘make sure they leave when they finish.’

Revisiting Political Absurdities

Delving into political absurdities, Chappelle revisited a false claim made by Trump during his campaign regarding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, dismissing the narrative that they were engaging in bizarre, cannibalistic behavior. In a nod to his roots, he defended the immigrants as having made significant contributions to the community and economy, asserting, 'They did jobs that the whites weren’t doing.'

Homage to Jimmy Carter

Chappelle's monologue also memorialized the late President Jimmy Carter, reflecting on the humility of Carter’s actions during his time in the Middle East. He shared a heartfelt anecdote about witnessing a former president walking through Palestinian territories with little to no security, noting, 'I don’t know if that’s a good president, but that right there, I am sure, is a great man. It made me feel very proud.'

SNL's Cold Open

SNL's cold open featured a humorous sketch, parodying an MSNBC roundtable, where Sarah Sherman impersonated Rachel Maddow while being interrupted by fabricated breaking news on Trump’s new administration. This included bizarre satirical headlines that poked fun at the former president’s whimsical tendencies.

Conclusion

Chappelle's return to SNL encapsulated not only his comedy genius but also the evolving political landscape of America. His commentary served as both a reflective look at the past and a thoughtful critique of present circumstances, offering viewers a unique blend of humor and insight during another tumultuous political era.