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Promotional art for Contrarian
Cover image credit: via TMDB

Contrarian

D.L. Hughley

Netflix · 2018 · 58 min

A veteran comic targeting American racism with mixed results.

Watch it free on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

D.L. Hughley brings a seasoned, blunt perspective to the stage, drawing on his decades as a syndicated radio host and veteran of “The Original Kings of Comedy.” He is at his most compelling when confronting the systemic realities of race in America. His strongest segments tackle why Black parents teach their children to fear rather than respect the police, and why NFL players are uniquely suited to protest police brutality. He balances these observations with lighter riffs on the absurdities of modern parenting, the complications of relationships in the smartphone era, and his mother’s tough love. Filmed at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia and released on Netflix in September 2018, the special arrived during a busy year for Hughley, which also saw the publication of his book How Not to Get Shot: And Other Advice From White People. Critical reception was mixed. While reviewers praised his direct satire on race relations, they found some of his broader material, such as his take on the #MeToo movement, to be less focused and prone to punching down.

The set list

8 bits

  1. The #MeToo movement and corporate America

    Argues that in modern times one cannot speak freely, contrasting how Bill Cosby went to prison while Donald Trump made it to the White House.

  2. Self-identification and police stops

    Muses on claiming to be a white man named Chad trapped in a Black body, noting it still will not help during an encounter with the police.

  3. Audience reception to Black Panther

    Observes that Black audiences went to see Black Panther for inspiration, whereas white people went for information.

  4. Police training duration versus cosmetology

    Highlights the absurdity that police officers receive only five months of training compared to a twelve-month requirement to obtain a barber or hair-cutting license.

  5. Kanye West's comment on slavery being a choice

    Contrasts the claim by remarking that if slavery was indeed a choice, Harriet Tubman must have been a travel agent.

  6. Raising a son with Asperger's syndrome

    Shares personal observations on parenting his only son, candidly and crudely joking about what helps him function.

  7. Arming school teachers

    Argues that before teachers are given firearms, they should be given a financial raise.

  8. Family education versus his own career

    Points out that his success paid for his wife and children to go to college and live carefree lives, while he only holds a GED and remains the sole person working.

How it plays

Tone
Witty, confrontational, topical, and satirical, blending social critique with nostalgic family humor.
On stage
Charismatic and suave in a tailored suit and a fedora with a playing card, casually sipping a drink while delivering witty, confrontational, and biting commentary.
Pace
Rapid-fire tempo, moving quickly across a high quantity of setups and punchlines rather than long narrative storytelling.
About
Racism and race relations in America, Police brutality and police training, The #MeToo movement and gender politics, Parental discipline and generational differences, Marriage, fidelity, and cell phones, Donald Trump and political controversies

What the critics said

Received mixed reviews; critics commended his stage presence, charisma, and strong satirical insights into race and family, but felt several topical political references were already dated upon release and criticized punch-down material on transgender people and #MeToo.

In the room: Kept in hysterics and responding with nostalgic recognition to his parenting and relationship commentary.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: comedydynamics.com, tvguide.com, imdb.com, netflix.com, decider.com, pastemagazine.com, tvworthwatching.com, wherever-i-look.com, mymajicdc.com, thegrio.com.

Backstory

Performed in the context of the #MeToo movement, the Donald Trump presidency, NFL anthem protests, the release of Black Panther, and modern parenting shifts.

Details

Released
Taped
Merriam Theater, Philadelphia
Runtime
58 min
Where
Netflix
Director
Jay Chapman
Topics
Before
Notes From The G.E.D. Section (2005)

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