Starring: Chelsea Handler
Directed by: Eddie Schmidt
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| Chelsea Does - I wish she didn't. Her in a wedding gown, like this show, is a pointless cry for attention. |
Comedian Chelsea Handler's take on various topics is presented in this documentary-type series from Netflix.
Verdict:
This isn't a documentary despite Netflix's classification. Documentaries develop and uncover facts. This doesn't. Handler interviews people about these topics, but the show is more her exploring these issues with friends and her therapist. I wasn't familiar with her prior to this show so her self exploration doesn't matter to me. Every episode I wished it would go deeper. Give the interviewees more time to talk about their story, delve into how these topics and institutions function in society. Instead the focus is Handler as she justifies her viewpoints. These episodes feel like the leftover b-roll footage from an incredibly bland documentary.
Skip it.
Recap
Episode 1 - Chelsea Does Marriage
This is a broad look at a subject with many sources, but a lot of it feels scripted and forced, especially the attempted comedy with the kids. She asks elementary kids to check out her body. That encapsulates this show, it feels like Handler seeking attention.
This episode, and all of them, are very surface level. I keep hoping for a deeper look. Her perceptions intrude on each episode.
I keep expecting this to be funnier. If I found this at all funny, that would make it better. Everything she says feels very scripted like she is trying to be funny, but it isn't working. I've seen a few different entry points, but I don't connect to the stories because we don't stay with a subject long enough.
The BDSM segment felt completely scripted or like a farce.
The Ashley Madison interview was better because Handler was actually adamant about her opinions.
She tries internet dating, and that is the best they came up with? They should have cut that segment entirely. I often wondered, this is what made the cut?
Episode 2 - Chelsea Does Silicon Valley
Is part of this her showing off semi-famous friends? These conversations could actually be interesting if they had something real to discuss.
Handler is clueless concerning technology. If it doesn't work due to ignorance it's broken. This episode was more an insight into someone who technology left behind than understanding Silicon Valley.
Coding with the kids felt scripted and forced, and why is she putting pictures of herself up at Netflix? Why is she so obsessed with her boobs this episode?
This episode is a bit better, and the personal examination works better as this episode is squarely her issues with the subject as opposed to a superficial examination.
Episode 3 - Chelsea Does Racism
These episodes don't uncover anything. This episode especially feels like an excuse to make racist jokes. It feels like Handler is trying to justify why she promotes racism in her jokes. Her jokes reduce people to stereotypes, and saying I make fun of everyone or I hate everyone isn't a sufficient justification.
Al Sharpton may be her best guest. Her talking to her therapist puts this show into her working out issues and focuses solely on her. I don't care for that. I guess I should have known better when her name is the first word of every single episode.
Of course ignorant people and their views are paraded around. A person equates slavery to buying a tractor. Wow at the statement, wow at this show for being so incredibly shallow.
The round table with representatives from various minorities had incredible potential, but was unde utilized. It could have been such an amazing conversation. We get a hint at what could have been when they discuss stereotypes, and that's it. It's incredibly disappointing.
I'm with her on the point that people shouldn't be able to say I know a minority so poor behavior is excused, but isn't she doing a bit of that herself?
Episode 4 - Chelsea Does Drugs
What's the point? She's going to do Ambien and alcohol to show people that combining drugs is bad. It's a flimsy excuse. She does it and makes a joke out of it, so what lesson is being taught?
Another episode that is a cry for attention, a big look at me.
I watched people do drugs for a while and vomit. I think the joke is on me.
Multiple people thought she at one point had a drug problem but didn't want to talk to her about it because they didn't want to deal with her. And these are people claiming to be friends. She concludes by stating in her opinion she doesn't have a drug problem. Every single person with a drug problem has uttered those words. She has no objectivity, and half of this show is her trying to justify herself.
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