‘Chappelle’s Show’ alum Donnell Rawlings is all right with being called mild

This year has been one of the most triumphant for comedian and Chappelle’s Show alum Donnell Rawlings.

Back in February, 30 years into his career, the D.C. comedian delivered his first comedy special, Chappelle’s Home Team - Donnell Rawlings: A New Day, in collaboration with friend Dave Chappelle.

“I think every time I did [the routine] I was the funniest I could be in the moment,” Rawlings said. “But [Chappelle] being so critical and understanding, this was a big deal. He thought a little deeper than I did.”

Chappelle, whose own Netflix show has been criticized for jokes perceived to be transphobic, scrapped the show’s initial version, claiming it was too outdated for a post-COVID release. The second attempt was marred by production issues. But after shooting the final iteration in November 2023, Rawlings said it was worth the wait.

But not everyone was pleased. Fellow comic Corey Holcomb called A New Day “mild” on his podcast, 5150.

Inspired by the discourse, Rawlings named his new comedy tour “Black and Mild.”

“People try to use the word ‘mild’ as an insult. But I’m over 50 years old, I don’t even like hot sauce. I get heartburn,” Rawlings joked. “There’s nothing wrong with walking the line, but not pushing it. That’s where my comedy is.”

Before the comedian takes the stage at Helium Comedy Club this weekend, we talked to Rawlings about hot sauce, his famous phrase “I’m rich b—” , and the makings of a successful comedian in the social media age.

The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

You’re a bigger star than you’ve ever been before. How’s life been for you lately?

It’s good and it’s going to continue. The only thing that we can do is try to evolve, especially as a standup and artist. We have to be the best we can and give the people what they want. And I don’t think I’ll ever hit the max. I’m always going to try to go to the next level.

How has life in Springfield, Ohio, been?

It’s just like my special, A New Day. Like the Nina Simone song “Feeling Good,” I came out to in the special. As long as you can get up, you have the opportunity to be a better person. I have been doing it for 30 years, and it just feels like I’m constantly evolving and testing myself to be good.

It seems like you’ve been on a constant path of growth. Have you taken notes from Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock on the process?

The notes that I’ve taken from Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are that anything is possible. And if you work hard enough, you can be in a situation where you can say, “I’m rich, b—!” and fill arenas.

That phrase, “I’m rich, b—!” has to be one of the most recognizable quotes from ‘Chappelle’s Show.’

There’s been some good and some bad. The good is people recognize my voice from that phrase, but the bad is when I go with my friends to dinner, they don’t even open their wallets. They look at me like, “I thought you were rich, b—.”

How was it to have your first special, especially with Dave Chappelle attached to it?

If it happened 20 years ago with me not having a name and trying to introduce myself to the world as a good standup, it would have been like a calling card. But [this time] it felt more like a reward for the people who felt like I deserved [a special]. One of those people is [Chappelle]. Of course, I’ll reap the benefits of the special, but I felt it was more for my fans and my people.

You filmed the special three times. What was missing in the first two?

I don’t think anything was missing. I think every time I did it I was the funniest I could be in the moment. But [Chappelle] being so critical, and understanding this was a big deal, he thought a little deeper than I did. The first time I did it I knew it was funny, but [Chapelle] told me, “Donnell, you’re one of the funniest guys I know. You’d rip any room, but it doesn’t make it a great special.” The second time we did it, I took his notes. But then we had issues with the production of it. But there was never a high level of frustration. I knew as long as I stayed in the game, I had an opportunity. A lot of times people don’t get multiple opportunities to do that, but [Chappelle] believed in me enough and the product I could produce. And we got it together. I have no regrets.

Have you and Corey Holcomb patched things up since your brief feud?

The last time I was in L.A., I went to this club and [Holcomb] was there. The first thing I asked him was how I could be on his podcast. He said, “Yo D, why do you have something against me?” I said, “Bro, you can’t say that. I have always shown you love.” My only issue was why he felt the need to put down some of the people who are moving the culture of comedy. He agreed with me, so I’m going to do his show.

What do you think about the current state of comedy? There is a lot of tension among comedians today.

It’s unfortunate because a lot of this discourse is in the Black community. For some reason, the Black comedy community thinks [only] one comic can make it at a time. And a lot of times they don’t support each other. There’s room for everybody. There are different styles and genres of comedy.

One of the hottest things now is social media influencers transitioning to stand-up. They have the platform because people want to see them. Then you have [their] crowd work, which I’m not a huge fan of. It’s a muscle in itself, but it was shunned back when I was coming up because it usually meant a comic didn’t have an act. But I don’t knock it.

How can Black comedians rally together versus going against each other?

We can try to save the world and save the hood all we want, [but] you’re not going to do it. Take care of yourself and take care of your family. There’s nothing you can do to change the mentality. It’s always going to be there. All you can do is not let it affect you and to do what you feel is right for you.

How has stand-up changed since you started?

A lot of people my age think, “These young guns coming up don’t respect the art.” But when I started, if you wanted to be rich or famous off of this, you had to be good. That was the only way you could get noticed. But nowadays, these kids are making hundreds of thousands of dollars a month, and have no incentive to be good. You can’t tell them to work on that joke. They are like, “I heard what you said. But I just made one click and made $10,000.” But if you’re a real comic, you can protect the craft by being good and evolving.

In some way, could that also help draw more eyes to the comedy world?

It all depends. One of the comedians that I came up with hated shows when a YouTube guy would come on behind him. He wouldn’t go to these shows. But I told him, “Get your money, go to the show, and teach him a lesson.” Things change.

What’s it like doing comedy in Philly?

It’s a little rougher. This is a tough city. And one thing about a tough city is they give you a hard time. But when they love you, they love you. I give them every reason to love me. I have always performed well in Philly. Philly has always been a great audience for me. I’m a tough comic who’s built for a tough city.

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

After many viral clips, teacher-turned-comic Chip Chantry is ready for a special

His Philly patriotism has made standup comedian Chip Chantry a favorite on social media.

Bite-sized videos revealing his undying love for the 6abc Action News theme — where he famously says “If you’re in my home, you better stand for the Action News theme song” — and his aversion to heroin and wearing Crocs because he’s afraid he’d enjoy them too much, have garnered millions of views on Instagram.

After 21 years as a standup, Chantry, wanting to capitalize on his newfound virality, has decided to bring together all his searing Philly-isms and hilarious confessions for his debut comedy special, Move Closer.

The special, which he is releasing himself, is named in honor of the Action News theme song “Move Closer to Your World” and is set to drop on YouTube at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. And while Chantry already has two comedy compilations under his belt, this release will mark the biggest moment in the Montgomery County native’s comedy career.

“It feels legitimate,” said Chantry, who filmed the special at Helium Comedy Club. “This is the next level, for better or worse, where I put my hour out there with the best comedians in the world and see where it falls. It’s kind of terrifying, but it also feels good to have the world see what I’ve been doing.”

Long before he became a mainstay in Philly’s comedy circuit, Chantry was a fourth-grade teacher for the Montgomery County’s Methacton School District, juggling life in the classroom and on the comedy stage. He performed in bars and restaurants in the city until 2 a.m., then woke up at 5:30 a.m. to get to school.

“For a decade, I was exhausted at all times. I was living a double life,” he said. “I was flailing around in comedy, not knowing what I was doing, and just creating open mics and doing shows wherever anybody would have me.”

Finally, it was time to choose between the two worlds. After 14 years as an educator, Chantry was committed to changing course despite the “blinding fear” of failure.

In 2015, he landed a TV writing gig on the NBC Studios comedy-talk series Crazy Talk. Ever since, Chantry has opened for comics like Dave Chappelle, Tig Notaro, and Bob Saget, and went on to write for other shows like Whacked Out Sports and National Geographic’s Howie Mandel’s Animals Doing Things.

He recently appeared in the Shane Gillis-led Netflix series Tires as the character Kyle.

Philly comedian Mary Radzinski thinks Move Closer will show Chantry’s growing audience what he’s made of. “He’s such an amazing performer and joke writer, and it’s time for him to get the recognition he deserves,” she said. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Chantry’s journey to his debut special was riddled with second guesses. He passed up earlier opportunities to release a special in fear it was too early. And in the months leading up to the release of Move Closer, he considered leaving out the word special altogether.

“I almost felt guilty saying the word special because there are so many specials out there,” Chantry said. “Everybody has one right now, and that’s why I turned down a special I was offered a couple of years ago. I turned it down because I felt I wasn’t ready.”

Releasing a comedy special isn’t quite as special as it used to be, he said. The power of cable networks like HBO and Comedy Central has dwindled, which has led to fewer barriers for budding comics. It’s easier for performers to finance and produce their own “hours” and release them on streaming platforms like YouTube.

The shift, Chantry said, has led to an overabundance of bad specials. Young comics are bypassing the growing pains of the comedy stage and prematurely releasing projects in hopes of meteoric fame. Chantry didn’t want his work to be lost in the shuffle.

Philly comic Blake Wexler believes Chantry is the kind of talent who can thrive in this format.

“He’s been worthy of a special from any of these major streaming platforms and TV networks, but it just so happens that he did it himself, which makes it that much cooler,” Wexler, a Chester County native, said. “We’re obviously really good friends, but I’m really a fan of his comedy.”

In spite of those thoughts of self-doubt, Chantry is confident his experience and material is worthy of a project like Move Closer. He hopes it broadens his audience and breeds more opportunities to showcase his comedic talent.

“The biggest reward for a comedian is just more work,” he said. “Whether it’s on stage doing standup, doing writing, making more videos, or whatever it may be. I just want to do more work.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

Lisa Ann Walter wants some Philly restaurant recommendations

After decades of acting in theater, film, and TV, Lisa Ann Walter is settling into stardom.

That’s thanks to Melissa Schemmenti, the hilarious and ever-resourceful second grade teacher she plays on the ABC hit Abbott Elementary. Now, with her star on the rise — she’s appearing in the new reboot of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, which launched earlier this month — Walter is recording her comedy show in Philly.

Starting Thursday, Walter will be in Philly for a three-night stint at Helium Comedy Club with a gift in mind. After a decade of headlining live shows, the actor will record her debut comedy special at the Center City venue. Her Abbott Elementary costar and “work-wife” Sheryl Lee Ralph will coproduce and codirect the project with Walter.

“I think anyone who’s been to a Philly sports event knows that Philadelphians don’t hold back,” said Walter, who slipped in and out of Schemmenti’s South Philly accent during a Zoom interview. That passion, she says, makes Philly the ideal spot to record. “[People in the audience] are loud, but they’re not trying to heckle. They love being at the show, they love being enthusiastic, and they’re smart. That is the perfect combination for a great comedy audience, and Philly has really embraced me.”

Ahead of her shows, we talked to Walter about her disco dancing, the weeks she spent studying Bradley Cooper’s Philly accent, and her love of Dalessandro’s Steaks.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Is Philly your favorite city to do comedy?

I did a show last year, and I never felt more at home in a place that wasn’t where I grew up. One person came up to me and said, “You know, we didn’t even want to like you.” They were very conscious of the fact I was coming to the city as a newbie. But they said, “You’re one of us.” People hugged me, kissed me, and gave me food everywhere I went. If you do those things, then I’m home.

You’re from Maryland. How did you master the South Philly accent?

When Bradley Cooper did an Abbott Elementary episode, I told him I studied his videos. When he was first coming up, he went on talk shows and they would make him do the accent — almost like it was a circus trick or something. But he was so good at it that I would find those interviews and study them. I can’t tell you the number of hours, days, and weeks I spent making sure the accent was perfect. I tell people from Philly all the time, “Let me know if I can do it better. Hook a girl up.”

You brought a flask to the 30th SAG Awards. How much more Philly can you get?

My favorite part of that was how they had me hand the flask to Sheryl Lee Ralph, and she didn’t know it was coming. And the look on her face was so pure. Like, “If you don’t put that away … we are in public.” It was so Sheryl, but also [her Abbott Elementary character] Barbara.

The chemistry you and Sheryl Lee Ralph have is incredible. No wonder you’re working on this special together.

We’ve all heard stories about TV actors who played lovers for over 10 years, but it turned out they hated each other. Like, “Oh, he had bad breath or body odor and wooden teeth.” Right? But I think it’s very hard to act the kind of chemistry she and I have.

We fell in love as “workwives” on day one because we had so much in common. We were single moms raising our kids in Los Angeles. All the ways we connected were so pure, and we loved hanging out. We immediately started going shopping together because there were so many events we had to go to. We were outside a Zara dressing room while she threw clothes at me for like three hours. She dressed me for the next five events. We truly are that close. I adore her.

If you ever meet someone like her, you have to keep them in your life. She’s blessed from the moment she gets up in the morning.

What is it about stand-up that keeps you coming back on stage?

I think it’s connecting with people. It gives me immediate gratification, and it’s exactly what I intended to do when I was on stage as an actress in high school and I started doing dinner theater.

In my first professional show at 16, I made the audience laugh and cry. And I said, “I always want to do this.” Then I started doing stand-up and connecting with different audiences. That kind of experience in one room has chemistry. Comics know this, which is why I didn’t want to do the special in a big theater. I want to do it the way I came up in comedy. On a small stage at the level of the front tables, watching as the laughter travels from the front to the back of a room. It’s the closest thing to me knowing why God put me here on Earth.

You were also a disco dance instructor, right?

When I was coming up in D.C. as a kid, disco was huge. In D.C., they invented the hustle, and all my high school friends could dance. One of my best girlfriends was Colombian and she had four sisters, and they all had guys that could dance. I learned how to dance and they would yell at me “gringa,” and I learned how to move my hips. I started competing in disco competitions and I would win them. My mom, a crazy Sicilian, would drive me downtown to these clubs while I did these competitions. And then I got a job at 16 at Arthur Murray teaching old businessmen how to do the hustle, which is really just the salsa. I taught them the cha-cha, the waltz, and all these ballroom dances. And my grandfather, the old Italian, he taught me all those. And then when I turned 17, people wanted me to go to disco competitions in Rio de Janeiro, and my mom was like, “No, you are not.” So I had to quit Arthur Murray.

In the past, you’ve talked about the L.A. dating scene. How’s your dating life now?

Listen, I could always find a fella — and they found me. I’ve always had young guys slide into my DMs. Always. But you don’t want to date people because you’re famous. You want to be with people who are down with you for who you are. Having said that, every relationship is transactional.

My first husband [Sam Braun] is my buddy, and I have a joke on stage about him. He was a lovely Jewish man, but turns out we had too much in common — we both like men. The second husband was a cheater, and while cheating is not technically a religion, he practiced it like it was. But my first husband, I adore. We spend every Sunday night together watching our favorite show, 90 Day Fiancé.

I’ve already had my babies and I’m making money. What dating app am I going on?

Have you had a Philly cheesesteak?

People have sent me to some really good places. In fact, I want to go back to a couple of them. Cheesesteaks and hoagies aren’t the only good things that Philly has to offer. I know you got water ice and everything else, but what else do I need to know? I have a list of a few places.

The last time I asked on [social media], people were being very lovely and helpful at first. But then it took a hard left turn. Someone was like, “If you don’t go to Dalessandro’s, then you’re a dick.” OK, I guess I better go. I went and it was worth the trip. You should have seen my hotel room — it was disgusting. I had half-eaten cheesesteaks and hoagies all over the place.

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

Philly comedians find more laughs with an expanding indie stand-up scene

It’s hard to ignore Philly’s influence in the comedy world.

Superstars like Kevin Hart and Quinta Brunson have broken barriers in Hollywood, while Upper Darby native Tina Fey shined for years as a Saturday Night Live cast member and writer. Late comedy legends Bob Saget and David Brenner helped establish the city’s signature raw, cheeky, and unfiltered comedic style. But comics Tyler Wolf and Manny Brown say the city has yet to fulfill its potential.

For years, Wolf said, Philly has had fewer opportunities for comedy compared to cities like Boston, San Francisco, Washington, and Chicago. The Mount Airy native, who started Next in Line Comedy shows with Brown in 2021, said there aren’t enough shows, open-mic events, or paid gigs for many local performers to pursue full-time careers as comics.

“The weekends, which is ideally when shows are taking place, are pretty barren in Philly outside of the comedy clubs, but those other mid-major cities might have five-plus independent shows on any weekend night,” Wolf, 30, said.

Brown said there’s still much to be desired, but the rise of independent shows and small, DIY-style comedy stages are filling the void. Along with established clubs like Helium Comedy Club and Punch Line Philly, the West Chester native said comedians are renting out local restaurants, cafes, breweries, and bookstores for more stage time, consistent pay, and a longer leash of creativity.

“We’re moving toward this larger independent comedy scene,” Brown, 34, said. “That’s a win-win for the comics because they get more stage time and become better comics, and it’s also a way for audience members to see really good comics for not a lot of money.”

Many independent comedy shows in Philadelphia cost between $5 and $20, and expose audiences to observational, deadpan, dark, or slapstick wit.

Part-time performer Kinjal Dave — who has produced shows in the backyard of Bindlestiff Books — said hosting events at venues like Tattooed Mom, Fergie’s Pub, and Second District Brewing also gives more Philly comedians an outlet to sharpen their skills when other comedy shows have full lineups.

“[These spaces] are really important if you want to get diverse voices, perspectives, and life experiences on stage,” Dave, 27, said. “I think in mainstream comedy, a lot of it is about stereotypes, and you have little time to get the audience’s attention. But if you have your own show, you have a chance to have a different conversation or opportunity to express yourself.”

Kristen Scopino, who has organized comedy shows at Stir Lounge, Dahlak Paradise, and other venues in town, said the comedy scene has opened up, and is offering more women-led and LGBTQ-centered events since she first began hosting shows in 2018.

“There were so many lineups with all men, but there’s been a few different LGBTQ showcases around the city in the last few years,” Scopino, 31, said. “A lot more people around the city are more open to putting on different comedy events, some even for the first time, and checking out how it works in their place.”

Comedian Jay Yoder, 39, said the rise of independent shows and small-scale events is a product of the pandemic. Many comedy clubs closed, leaving performers without a creative outlet, and unsatisfied in a genre that relies on a live audience.

When the switch to virtual performances flattened their hopes, Yoder said, he and other comics turned to whatever spaces were willing to host weekly nights of comedy, which continued for three years. The once makeshift stages have become routine comedy stops, and helped Yoder, a part-time teacher in Chester County, jumpstart his comedic career.

“Restaurants were primed for it,” said Yoder, who hosts monthly comedy shows at Tuned Up Brewing. “They had space that needed to be filled and it was just another reason to get people back into the building. It was sort of natural, and it worked out beautifully.”

Since the pandemic, Prateekshit Pandey, a regular performer at ComedySportz Philadelphia and Philly Improv Theater, said some comics have begun producing small shows inside their apartments as a way to cut costs and provide more intimate settings.

“In Philadelphia, especially after the pandemic, people have been doing that a lot because it’s cheaper to get those audiences, set it up, and perform for a smaller audience,” Pandey, 28, said. “You don’t have to pay for the price of renting out a bookstore or a cafe or anything like that.”

Alongside the rise of DIY-comedy shows, long-standing clubs are welcoming changes in the local scene.

Amanda Kyser, who oversees comedy operations for Live Nation, said Punch Line Philly is focused on drawing in different brands of comedy beyond typical stand-up.

“This is a moment where our definition of comedy is changing,” she said. “We’re embracing more types of comics from traditional stand-up comedians to podcasters and YouTube stars which are bringing new voices and new perspectives. It’s exciting.”

While the comedy scene is expanding, Pandey said there’s still a lack of diversity at local improv theaters, and certain comedy clubs are harder to break into than others, especially for comics of color.

“There are spaces and venues in Philly that are hard to get into because the gatekeeping comes into play,” he said. “Some are either geared to who knows who, and sometimes they don’t feel very comfortable going to regularly, at least not enough to be able to become part of the community.”

Dave said independent shows, open mics, and pop-up stages are creating more opportunities for comics of color.

“I want different immigrant communities that are in Philly to be represented in the comedy scene because there’s just a little bit more breathing room and hopefully the communities turn up and show out for these kinds of experiences,” she said.

With more outlets available, Wolf is confident the city will become a more viable spot for comedians to shine.

“This is not a zero-sum game,” he said. “More comedy just breeds better comedy, and there’s a big appetite in this city.”

– The Philadelphia Inquirer

'It's been pretty awesome,' Chelsea Handler says of returning to live performances

Chelsea Handler has never shied away from a call for transparency.

Whether her social or political stance has been deemed unconventional, controversial, or, more often than not, self-deprecating, she's owned it — standing firm in her beliefs. 

That mindset was at center when she was developing her new standup tour, Vaccinated and Horny, a title reflective of Handler's brand and material, she says, that will be a return to her comedic roots. 

After kicking off her national tour in Cincinnati this fall, the legendary comedian and six-time bestselling author will take center stage on Nov. 13 in the Palace Theatre. 

Calling in from New York City as she prepared for her show in Rochester, New York, Handler, 46, spoke with The Dispatch recently about the inspiration behind her new comedy tour and the healing power comedy has had during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her comments have been edited for space and clarity.

Question: What inspired the name of your new comedy tour?

Handler: I mean, I was home for a very long time, so there wasn’t a ton of sex happening. There was a lot of sexual repression.

So, as soon as I was vaccinated, I decide that I was going to move forward in this world with those two roles — vaccinated and horny.

Q: Your last special really dove further into the personal things you've endured — your personal therapy journey, confronting your brother's death, and others. Have you taken a similar route with this comedy tour?

Handler: This is more like OG Chelsea. This is me sounding off on all the idiotic behavior we all participated in during (COVID-19), like Windex-ing our takeout food.

My sister invaded my house with her three adult children for four months, which is something that I worked hard in my life to avoid. I never really wanted to have children or have them living in my house, but somehow I ended up in that situation anyway.

So, that put me in a really tricky situation. I probably sold my house as soon as they moved out to avoid that ever happening again. I just bought a new house that has four bedrooms, and I’m converting all four of them into a workout room, podcast studio — anything besides a bedroom, because that’s not happening to me again. I’m making the first time the last time because the entire reason I didn’t have a child is because of the off-chance we might go through a global pandemic and I’d be stuck at home with one.

I also bought (COVID-19) health tests at home for potential penetrators. I’d interview them in the backyard, run the diagnostics on the test — which took about 30 minutes. I’d give each candidate a nasal swab, and then I would talk to them within the 30 minutes it took to run the test, and, if during that time they said anything really annoying or I saw a pinky ring, I would just tell them they had (COVID-19) and were positive.

Q: I know you've been to several cities since kicking off the tour in Cincinnati, so how has that been being in front of more traditional audiences for a full-fledged  stand-up tour? 

Handler: It's been pretty awesome. It’s pretty good timing for people and a great time being a comedian because people are so excited to be out and back together in large crowds. And for many people, this is the first big event that they’re attending and I love being the reason for that.

It’s a great reminder about humanity and togetherness. Laughing together in large groups heals the soul, and I just want everyone leaving with their sides hurting, I want to provoke your thinking and be laughing so hard it hurts.

I want people to have accidents at my shows, I want people to know it's like a party. It’s not like a party where it’s an interactive party with people, you know, in the audience screaming and yelling. I definitely don’t want to encourage that, but I want them feeling like (they) went to a party.

Q: Do you feel this tour and the world of comedy have been needed during this time? From my perspective, comedy is already a sense of healing. And at a time when it's most needed, do you feel it's played its part well?

Handler: Yes, I think it's really needed and there’s a lot of conversations about how people aren't able to be funny in this climate which is (expletive). 

It’s easy to be funny without making fun of brown and Black people. It’s easy to be funny without making fun of trans people. Like there’s plenty of (expletive) to talk about, so everyone can get a little more clever and a little more creative, but start with yourself.

– The Columbus Dispatch