Latest news with #DaveChappelle
The National
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Dave Chappelle roasts Trump, Israel-Iran conflict and DJ Khaled's silence: 'This isn't how it works, champ'
Dave Chappelle roasted Donald Trump's handling of the Israel-Iran conflict during his show in Abu Dhabi on Friday night. Travelling to the Gulf days after a ceasefire went into effect, the American comedian made light of the US President's unpredictability during his performance at a sold-out Etihad Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season. 'Trump – I don't know about this guy. I can't tell if he's going to do good or not,' Chapelle said, adding: 'What a week you guys must have had over here in the Middle East.' The 51-year-old entertainer also brought up the US President's Saturday Truth Social post announcing the air strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. 'Trump wrote that 'we did a meticulously perfect attack. We have disabled their nuclear facility.' And then at the end of the post he said, 'and now is the time for peace!' Word? I don't think that's how this works, champ,' Chappelle said. The comedian also made reference to the March security scandal surrounding US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who shared attack plans on the Houthis through his Signal account. 'Trump bombed Iran, in an attack that was carefully planned on WhatsApp,' Chapelle said. Chappelle made light of growing concerns in the US regarding the ongoing regional conflict, saying: 'Everybody in America is scared. It's not good when Bible places are in the news. That means it might be the end of times. And if it is, you know what? I had a good run.' When an audience member yelled out the name of Palestinian-American musician DJ Khaled, the comedian questioned why the DJ has remained silent on the ongoing war in Gaza. 'DJ Khaled, let me tell you something. For a Palestinian, this man is awfully quiet right now. And as a Palestinian, how could you be that quiet right now? And why are you so fat? People are starving. He's the only fat Palestinian on earth right now,' Chappelle joked. Chappelle has been outspoken about the suffering of Palestinians ever since the Israel-Gaza war began. Last year, during his show in Abu Dhabi, he described Israel's actions in Gaza as ' genocide ' to cheers from the audience. He's tempered his criticism of Trump since his re-election, urging the American leader to have empathy for the people of Palestine during his January appearance on Saturday Night Live. And while he did not comment directly on Palestine in his latest UAE performance, he did end by making his stance on the matter clear. 'Now that I'm a big powerful voice in America, I've learnt that I have to be careful. I can get in some kind of trouble and they'll try to extort me and put words in my mouth so that I come out here and lie to you,' Chappelle said. 'So if that ever happens, we need a phrase. It has to be something that I would never say. So that if I say it, you know not to listen to anything I say after that. You ready? The phrase is: I stand with Israel.' Abu Dhabi Comedy Season 2025 is set to conclude next month with US comedian Bill Burr's performance on July 12.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Mel Brooks turns 99: the comedy icon's best films – ranked!
'It's good to be the king.' Brooks mixes sight gags, dad jokes and Borscht Belt standup in historical vignettes from the stone age to the French Revolution. Results are hit and miss, and the ancient Rome segment goes on for ever, but the tasteless Torquemada musical number is a scream. In the USSR, circa 1927, an ex-aristocrat, a conman and a priest search for a missing chair stuffed with jewels. Brooks's second film, adapted from a popular Russian novel, feels ponderous compared to the rest of his work, despite shameless hamming from Ron Moody, Dom DeLuise and Brooks himself. Frank Langella, alas, is miscast in his first film role. The Kevin Costner school of English heroism gets the Brooks treatment with Cary Elwes as Robin Hood, Dave Chappelle making his film debut as the outlaw's sidekick, and a perplexing detour into The Godfather territory featuring DeLuise stroking a lizard. The laughs come fast, cheap and silly, but some of them hit the bullseye. Brooks plays the leading role in a Trading Places-adjacent morality tale of a billionaire who accepts a bet that he can survive on the Los Angeles streets for a month. This comedy about homelessness bombed, but has a winning integrity and some decent gags, such as Brooks responding to his cardboard shelter getting washed away with: 'There goes the neighbourhood.' With intertitles instead of dialogue ('He is truly the lord of the winos' is my favourite) and a score comprising nothing but music and sound effects, Brooks's meta-comedy, in which he plays a Hollywood director trying to make a silent film, is almost experimental. The celebrity cameos are cute, and Brooks's tango with his real-life wife, Anne Bancroft, is adorable. This Star Wars spoof arrived 10 years too late, but now seems more fun than any of the official sequels and spin-offs. You can gauge the level of humour by character names like Dark Helmet, Dot Matrix and Yogurt, but the cast (including Bill Pullman and John Candy) is game for anything, and there are some inspired postmodern gags. And hurrah! Spaceballs 2 is in development! Brooks, as the acrophobic head of the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous, is framed for murder, menaced by pigeons and cornered in the shower (by the future director Barry Levinson) in this sporadically brilliant send-up of Alfred Hitchcock's oeuvre. Brooks's penchant for breaking the fourth wall reaches its apex in a scene in which the subjective camera forgets to look where it's going. This shambolic western spoof cemented Brooks's position as the heir to crazy Hellzapoppin'-style humour in the years before Airplane! Cleavon Little plays the Black sheriff (co-writer Richard Pryor was deemed uninsurable) who takes himself hostage, Madeline Kahn does a priceless Marlene Dietrich impersonation, and the flatulent cowboys have earned their place in cinema history. A washed-up impresario (Zero Mostel) and a neurotic accountant (Gene Wilder) hatch a scheme to get rich from a guaranteed Broadway flop called Springtime for Hitler. Brooks, storming the barriers of good taste with his directing debut, celebrates showbiz, revels in Jewish and gay caricatures, ridicules Nazis and has since made a mint from the bona fide stage musical adaptation. 'Goddag på dig!' as Ulla the Swedish secretary would say. We're now farther away in time from the release of Brooks's affectionate homage than that film was from the early Universal horror titles it was spoofing. Too many highlights to list, but let's hear it for Peter Boyle's zip-necked monster singing Puttin' on the Ritz; Gene Hackman's blind hermit; the brain of Abby Normal; and Wilder, impeccable in the title role. A sweet, funny classic in its own right; we shall not see its like again. Unless Brooks announces Young Frankenstein 2, obviously.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Culture by day, comedy by night: Check out Louvre Abu Dhabi before watching Dave Chappelle live
Watching Dave Chappelle on Friday June 27? Why not make it a whole day out by checking out the summer happenings at Louvre Abu Dhabi? Before the doors for Dave Chappelle open at 6pm and the jokes kick off at 8pm at Etihad Arena, you've got plenty of time to soak up something a little different – and right across the water, no less. This summer, Louvre Abu Dhabi is super summer-ready and we can't wait to see what's on. This summer, the gallery boasts new masterpieces on display showing off everything from Giacometti's tall and thoughtful sculptures to a vibrant piece by Kandinsky, plus rare treasures like a 14th-century mosque lamp. If you're keen to catch something spectacular, take in Una Bulaqueña – a two-metre Filipino masterpiece by Juan Luna. Meanwhile, you can take the little ones to explore Picturing the Cosmos at the Children's Museum, where kids learn for free. Need a breather from the indoors? Kayaking and catamaran sailing around the museum are still available during summer, so you can paddle beneath the dreamy dome while soaking up the views. Prefer to keep it cool? Head to the Café under the dome for a refreshing sip and a nibble before moving on to the boutique for some retail therapy. So trust us when we say, it's more than worth the detour. Best part? UAE residents can grab museum tickets at 30 percent off for just Dhs45.50 throughout the summer. So, whether you're in town for Chappelle or just looking for a proper day out with a mix of culture and comedy, it's easy to plan your day right. Check out summer activities:
What's On
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
7 incredible things to do in Abu Dhabi this long weekend: June 27 to 29
Another weekend, another curated list for our lovely capital crowd but this one is special, because we're enjoying three days off. With summer in full swing, it's all about cool escapes and adventures – from brunches to comedy bigwigs and film festivals. Here's what to do in Abu Dhabi this weekend. Friday, June 27 Kick off the weekend with a brunch at Dino's Italian cuisine lovers can enjoy their favourite authentic dishes at an à la carte style brunch at Dino's Bistro Italiano, including seafood, cheese & antipasti stations, paired with a selection of premium beverages to choose from. Start the weekend right. Offer: Dhs240 per head Location: Dino's Bistro Italiano, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre Timings: 6pm to 11pm Contact: (0) 2 307 5551 @dinosbistroitaliano Catch a film festival The European Film Festival opened at the Cultural Foundation and the rich programme continues throughout the week, offering audiences a wide selection of European films across genres. A key highlight is the highly anticipated Emirati film Mountain Boy , providing a unique opportunity to celebrate UAE talent alongside European cinematic productions. Location: Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi Timings: Until Sunday, June 29 Contact: (0) 2 657 6348 @abudhabicf Watch Dave Chapelle in action Dave Chappelle returns to Abu Dhabi this weekend as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season after a hugely successful show in April 2024, and you don't want to miss this. Tickets for the funnyman start at Dhs250 and you're guaranteed a brilliant night. Offer: Dhs275 per ticket Location: Etihad Arena Timings: 8pm Contact: (600) 511115 @ Saturday, June 28 Make the most of summer at Surf Abu Dhabi Seasoned and budding surfers, head over to Surf Abu Dhabi, the world's biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility. You can choose from open sessions tailored to beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers, as well as 1-on-1 surfing lessons, and an entire 90-minute surf trip for you and 5 other surfers. Offer: Starts from Dhs600 Times: Daily, 9am to 10pm Location: Surf Abu Dhabi, Hudayriat Island Contact: @surfabudhabi Tuck into an afternoon tea This indulgent affair invites guests to savour a thoughtfully curated four-course menu that showcases the chef's most iconic and imaginative creations. The Pierre Hermé afternoon tea is available daily, with two seating options. Celebrate a special occasion with this special experience. Offer: Starts from Dhs345 Times: Daily, 2pm to 2.30pm, 4pm to 4.30pm Location: Majlis, Rosewood Abu Dhabi Contact: @rosewoodabudhabi Sunday, June 29 Enjoy a brush and bites night at Taparelle Taparelle and Manarat Al Saadiyat's Art Studio are teaming up for a creative evening of painting, flavour, and conversation with brush and bites night. Set within Taparelle's art-filled space, the session invites guests to unwind with guided painting, refreshing mocktails, and curated Mediterranean bites. Offer: Dhs300 per head Location: Taparelle, Manarat Al Saadiyat Timings: 5pm to 7.30pm Contact: (0) 2 657 5832 @taparellerestaurant Take a trip to Al Jahili Fort This heritage-infused site was built close to two centuries ago in Al Ain and is one of the largest that has ever been built in the UAE. Initially built to serve as the summer residence of H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan before British forces assumed military use of the tower until 1970. It represents a fascinating cultural enclave to walking around and explore. Location: Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan St – Al Jahili – Hai Al Qalaa Images: Supplied/Getty > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Heading to see Dave Chappelle in Abu Dhabi? Make it a full-day cultural escape
Dave Chappelle is heading to Abu Dhabi, and while the one-night-only show at Etihad Arena on June 27 is guaranteed to deliver the laughs, it's also the perfect excuse to soak up some of the capital's incredible culture before curtain call. Just minutes away from the venue, Louvre Abu Dhabi invites you to explore one of the world's most stunning cultural landmarks. From June 25 until September 30, UAE residents can enjoy 30% off general admission, making it the perfect pre-show plan. Wander beneath the museum's iconic floating dome and discover a thoughtfully curated collection that spans global civilisations and centuries. View timeless works by Giacometti and Kandinsky, and uncover unique pieces like the ornate 14th-century Mosque lamp and Una Bulaqueña, a celebrated 19th-century masterpiece by Filipino painter Juan Luna. Families can enjoy a cosmic adventure at the Children's Museum, where the Picturing the Cosmos exhibition encourages young minds to explore space through interactive displays and creative play. Want to take in the views? Enjoy iced coffee under the dome, or join a sunset kayaking tour for a fresh perspective of the museum's striking architecture. With something for everyone — art lovers, families, or anyone seeking a little inspiration — Louvre Abu Dhabi is the ultimate warm-up to an unforgettable night of comedy. Location: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island Resident Offer: June 25– September 30 @ > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
