Sticks & Stones is a 2019 American stand-up comedy show written and performed by comedian Dave Chappelle, and directed by Stan Lathan. Produced by both Chappelle and Lathan, and distributed by Netflix, the special is detailed as "a provocative perspective on the tidal wave of celebrity scandals, the opioid crisis, and more".
It is Chappelle's fifth Netflix special, following the 2017 specials The Age of Spin, Deep in the Heart of Texas, Equanimity and The Bird Revelation. Principal photography began at the Tabernacle in Downtown Atlanta, Georgia, from June 13 to 16, 2019.
The special received mixed reviews from critics, in part due to jokes about defending Chappelle's friend and comedian Louis C.K., jokes concerning the abuse allegations against singers Michael Jackson and R. Kelly, and jokes about the LGBT community. The special earned Chappelle his third consecutive Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album as well as his third and fourth Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Pre-Recorded Variety Special.
Synopsis
Following quoting the lyrics of Prince's "1999", Chappelle mentions a series of high-profile news stories about celebrities. He contrasts Anthony Bourdain with an old friend of his who, despite living under difficult circumstances, never conceived of committing suicide.
Following this, Chappelle gives an impression of the Founding Fathers, specifically referencing their role in slavery, drafting the Constitution of the United States. After this he shifts into speaking of the segment of society which bans, blacklists and boycotts entertainers over politically incorrect jokes which deter those—including Chappelle himself—from doing comedy.
He then discourages those who have yet to watch the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland (2019), which details allegations of child sexual abuse against Michael Jackson, and doubts the accusers, pointing out that Macaulay Culkin denies witnessing or being molested by Jackson. Chappelle jokes about the sexual abuse allegations against R. Kelly, whom he described as being "different" from Jackson because Chappelle is "pretty sure he did that" and jokes that many individuals are molested and it is preferable if the person that does it is famous.
Chappelle speaks about Kevin Hart, explaining that it was Hart's "dream to host the Oscars," then discusses an "unwritten and unspoken rule of show business," which is that "you are never, ever allowed to upset the alphabet people." He expresses his dismay during a conversation with a member of Standards and Practices, while filming the Chappelle's Show, over the use of the gay-slur: "faggot". In the discussion with S&P, he points out the word "faggot" is quite forbidden, but not his use of the word "nigger".
The comedian jokes about transgenderism and transracialism in which he uses a car ride analogy with LGBTQ persons interacting.
Chappelle jokes about controversies surrounding comedian Louis C.K. as well as critiquing the #MeToo movement as being too draconian to be effective at reducing real issues faced by women in the industry.
Chappelle jokes about pro and anti-abortion positions.
Chappelle then jokes that black people should legally buy guns in protest to have white legislators alter the Second Amendment out of fear. In reference to gun control, he compares the post-2010 opioid crisis to the Crack epidemic in the United States advocating for decriminalization, while highlighting addiction as an illness. Chappelle also lampoons the alleged assault against actor Jussie Smollett.
Stories from his upbringing form the closing segment to the show, as he recalls his father's words of wisdom, financial difficulties, and economic discrimination which informed him as a child, whilst correlating this with school shootings.