MovieChat Forums > Chelsea Does (2016) Discussion > she could have come in with less judgeme...

she could have come in with less judgement ...

posted 8 years ago by keromcun
14 replies | jump to latest

Due to storm Jonas I am forced to be cooped up in my room and entertain myself throughout the weekend. I was actually pretty excited for this doc series cause i thought it would have been like "Review" but more grounded. I'm halfway through the first episode about marriage and I really liked it when she was talking to the kids and showing how kids today are more open to different cultures of life. However after her interview with the BDSM threesome and Ashley Madison I didn't like how she came in with preconceived judgments instead of keeping an open mind with different types of relationships while interviewing them to hear them out. Instead I feel like she's already dismissing their lifestyles off the bad instead of discovering their version of a relationship.

[–] PeterBanckSweden 8 years ago

I agree with the above sentiment. As a comedian you are best equipped with a neutral mind. But an ability to view life from any perspective to lift out the humor.

http://time.com/4187415/review-chelsea-handler-netflix-chelsea-does/

[–] Ricochetmatt88 8 years ago

She wasn't that bad. She's actually holding back quite a bit in this series. I'd rather see her be more honest, personally.

Also, it seems pretty clear that the segements such as the BDSM trio and the AM creator interview are a little bit staged. I'm sure the conversation is real - But it comes across as being really planned out. I wouldn't get too upset over them. They seem to be the parts of the show that bring out Chelsea's more humorous and antagonizing side. Which is what we know her for.

And lets be honest, she had every reason to lay in on the AM dude. The whole service is disgusting and she was expressing her honest opinion of it while trying to understand it... Which she never does. But can you blame her?

The BDSM trio was... odd. And for someone who isn't familiar with the lifestyle those people were living, it can be extremely overwhelming. Again, she was trying to understand it... But it wasn't getting through. She even says that she thinks it's gross... But she wouldn't want them to be punished for it or anything, she just wants nothing to do with it.

Again, I can't blame her. They're living what I think is a sick lifestlye. Not because of the rough sex... But due to the collars and the whole "we're his slaves" bit. Chelsea clearly had a problem with it, just as many people would. *shrug*

[–] butlerstc 7 years ago

I think BDSM is topical in the media, and she could have steered the conversation as to what it means that its so apart of our culture and the way we think about sex, and how that same dynamic might play out in more nuanced levels. I mean we're talking about dominance and submission essentially and we talk about it alot in media but we dont discuss *why*...and I know the movie wasn't about that but that would have been more interesting then her just going "ew". It was a bit cartoonish and like you said staged, but to me she seems like a dominant personality - of course she is she has to be for her profession, so I wonder how that plays out in her relationships. She wears on her sleeve like a badge that she hooks up whenever and whoever she wants, which is great. I'm surprised the documentary wasn't about *that*. She should have followed her married friends around day to day if she really wanted some insight into marriage. I think she was drawn to the dom/sub trio for a reason and she should explore that instead of just using them as her projection. She probably feels like she doesnt want to *submit* to marriage - which is something I can relate to and which is why I watched the doc and was grateful for it - but perhaps dom/sub is an artificial paradigm that we've accepted and we should question it, within relationships in general and not just sexual relationships. Perhaps that could help her to understand why she doesn't understand marriage, or want it, or maybe why its not worked out the way she wanted it to.

*2cents hits bowl*

[–] s_torres26 8 years ago

I actually want her to be more real with her emotions which obviously equals to her being blunt. It makes the show unique to her style of comedy. If u don't like her style then wtf are you watching?

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 8 years ago

I don't agree with this at all. I think a great deal of what makes her funny is that she doesn't check her preconceptions at the door, which I think most comics do.

[–] bringthebud 8 years ago

Same. I like that she went into it with judgement because it's *beep* weird. Point blank idc what you're into or not. Fine. Great. You're into being someone's sex slave? Go for it. But don't expect my ass to be cool with it and not look at your ass a certain way lol. They should've expected it. And the Ashley Madison dude. Pls. He's a joke. So is his wife.

[–] kabosse 8 years ago

^ This.
_____________________________________________
Vala Morghulis

[–] generalnotsew6501 8 years ago

I haven't even finished the first episode and just got to that part and she has come off as extremely judgmental several times. I didn't really think that people her age really did that sort of thing anymore. I have gotten to the point over the years I don't care what other people do and just because I don't understand it does not make it stupid. Maybe she should stick with the comedy because she comes off as a very unlikeable person on this documentary.

[–] MayKasa 8 years ago

I thought the same thing.

I have had friends into that life style. I feel exactly as Chelsea does about it but I would NEVER admit it publicly or say to my friends, "That's just silly."
It's their lives. At least pretend to respect it.

Or am I wrong? Should I be just as judgey and dismissive as Chelsea was because that's my truth?

I don't think so. Don't always have to tell what I'm thinking.

[–] kabosse 8 years ago

Should I be just as judgey and dismissive as Chelsea was because that's my truth?

I don't think so. Don't always have to tell what I'm thinking.

You are right, you shouldn't. But Chelsea has a different function, a very specific role. Speaking her mind and telling her truth, unfiltered and eff the consequences, is exactly the thing that is the foundation of her success. She has taken on the role of what in medieval times would have been the "king's fool" or "jester" and with that role comes the licence to say the truth, not hide it and make your utterances publicly correct.

So, while everyone else has to adhere to pc conventions because they ease the grind between all the different manifestations of human behavior, whether in individuals or in groups, she is allowed to take the outside position and point the finger and go "WTF?!" Which, by the way, is a very authentic reaction to a lifestyle your mindset is not familiar and/or comfortable with.

Of course, we, the "bulk" of society shouldn't always speak our mind, otherwise, we would constantly be at each other's throats. But she, as a comedian and through having built this specific reputation over years (thanks to people flocking to her shows in the thousands) has taken up the mantle to do so in our stead. That's why it works. And that's why she gets to go around followed by a camera team and poke around in other people's lives, not me or you.
_____________________________________________
Vala Morghulis

[–] MayKasa 8 years ago

I agree with you. Thank you for the thoughtful response. It was cool. (Also, I didn't know that was the function of a jester back in medieval times.)

A person responded (beneath our postings) about the fact that she's a comedian and not a journalist. That, too, shapes her responses and should then, I guess, shape the lens in which I watch this show.

I haven't watched any of her new 3-days-a-week Netflix show. Have you? Is it any good?

[–] kabosse 8 years ago

I haven't watched any of her new 3-days-a-week Netflix show. Have you? Is it any good?

No. Not living in the US, I just found out about Chelsea's existence when stumbling upon this show on Netflix. Will give it a try though, she seems to be an interesting person.
_____________________________________________
Vala Morghulis

[–] tambob-1 8 years ago

Chelsea is the first to admit that she is sometimes douchey and judgemental. She isn't looking for approval, she is honest and very blunt. And that is atleast half of her wit. You don't have to like someone to find them funny or to sympathize with them. Although I like Chelsea very much.

[–] gibstock 8 years ago

I think the difference here is that she isn't being a journalist, just a comedian investigating things. I doubt anyone she met with fully expected to have some enlightening and impartial experience, because she's a comedian. If I heard Doug Benson was coming to my work to interview me and pick my brain on camera, I wouldn't expect much, other than laughing and getting super stoned.