DVD REVIEW Funny moments mix with poignant present

On DVD, the season's funniest moments remain with us.
By JEN CHANEY
WASHINGTON POST
"Chappelle's Show: Season 2 Uncensored" (List price: $36.99)
While watching the second season of "Chappelle's Show" on DVD, be prepared to feel some decidedly mixed emotions. You'll definitely laugh, because the 13 episodes -- not to mention the extras, including more than an hour's worth of riotous outtakes -- mark some of the funniest TV moments in recent memory. But it's understandable if you feel a sense of melancholy, too; after all, with the cloud of uncertainty hovering over the sketch comedy series, some think season number two may stand as its last.
This three-disc collection, postponed from its original February release date, was scheduled to coincide with Comedy Central's May 31 debut of the third season of "Chappelle's Show." But earlier this month, after star and executive producer Dave Chappelle unexpectedly took a sabbatical in South Africa, the new slate of episodes was postponed indefinitely. (Comedy Central chief Doug Herzog told Time magazine there probably won't be a "Chappelle's Show" in 2005, but didn't rule out the possibility of its return.)
Success ahead
With all the rumors of chaos and creative differences swirling around the highly popular comedy, it's a relief to finally have the second season on DVD. The first season of "Chappelle's Show" remains the all-time top-selling TV show on DVD and the second -- featuring classic bits like the "Racial Draft," "A Moment in the Life of Lil' Jon," the Wayne Brady episode and the catch-phrase-spawning Rick James sketch -- stands poised to eclipse it. With good reason: It's a fabulous, hilarious set. (And, parents should note, one that's filled with lots of foul language. They don't call it uncensored for nothing.)
In addition to the episodes, five of which come with commentary by Chappelle and co-writer Neal Brennan, a third disc is filled with nothing but bonus features, including: additional Chappelle stand-up footage; two unaired "True Hollywood Stories" from Charlie Murphy; an extended interview with Rick James; and the aforementioned hour-plus of bloopers/deleted scenes, which can be viewed with or without commentary. All of it is worth a look, but the undisputed highlights come from the deleted scenes. Much of the footage that didn't make the show -- including more than 11 minutes of largely improvised riffing from the Rick James sketch -- is equally funny, if not funnier, than what aired.
What happened?
While most fans will pick up this set to repeatedly watch their favorite bits, others may come to this DVD seeking answers. How did things on the show go wrong? What was really happening in Dave Chappelle's mind? Unfortunately, the discs won't solve those riddles, though a few moments take on greater meaning in light of recent events. During commentary for the outtakes and bloopers, Chappelle watches footage of his final monologue of the season and says, "This is when I thought I was quitting." And during a commentary track on episode 12, he notes, "At that point in the season, I was replaceable. I'm still replaceable now. That's what's so crazy about show business."
Actually, that's not true at all. As this DVD proves, there's truly only one Dave Chappelle. Here's hoping we see more of him sometime soon.