Take Note

Dwayne Perkins’ smooth, conversational rhythm and clean-cut but sharp observations make this debut hour stand out, particularly his counterintuitive argument that white people are actually the best dancers. His logic is simple: while Black dancers are chained to the beat, white dancers have the freedom to ignore it completely.

The performance, recorded at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, California, showcases a seasoned club veteran finally stepping into a solo spotlight. Released on Netflix in the summer of 2016, the special reflects Perkins’ deliberate effort to maintain broad appeal without losing his edge. He works through structured, mid-tempo routines about the exact age a man crosses onto the creepy side of the social bell curve and why certain Olympic events are merely activities rather than true sports.

Instead of relying on manic energy or shock value, Perkins holds the stage with the easy confidence of a comic who has spent two decades refining his timing on late-night television. It is a highly polished, intellectual hour that found a strong following upon its streaming release.