By Allegra Papera
Staff Writer
Netflix original series, “Chelsea Does” is a refreshing take on the documentary genre, using an appealing comedic approach to dive into and explore a unique spectrum of topics.
“Chelsea Does” offers a thoroughly entertaining experience as its host, Chelsea Handler, addresses different topics, including family life, social issues, and drug use, by way of self-immersion or discussion with experts, friends, and family members. The series features exciting guest-stars, moments of genuine self-reflection, and Handler’s blunt sense of humor that never ceases to entertain viewers.
The series includes four separate episodes; “Chelsea Does Marriage”, “Chelsea Does Silicon Valley”, “Chelsea Does Racism”, and “Chelsea Does Drugs”. In each, Handler speaks to experts, friends, and family about the topic, exploring different viewpoints while still maintaining a comedic atmosphere.
Handler’s shockingly direct form of communication throughout the series makes for an exciting element of surprise. In “Chelsea Does Racism” she shamelessly asks her waiter at a hookah lounge is he has a problem with her being Jewish, just before asking him about stereotypes made about Jews. She uninhibitedly broaches subjects that would regularly be considered taboo, making for a thrillingly controversial show and leaving viewers laughing at her bluntness.
The discussions regarding each topic throughout the series provide viewers with fresh perspectives from Handler’s established guests. Just a few are Margaret Cho, Willie Nelson, and Khloe Kardashian, where each featured in an episode respective to topics they are versed in, such as Willie Nelson advocating for marijuana on “Chelsea Does Drugs”. The inclusion of guest stars made discussions more relatable to viewers, as opposed to the recurring inclusion of expert psychologists, which eventually becomes dull due to their often condescending tone.
At a more personal level, Handler would pleasantly connect to viewers by relating the topics of discussion back to her own life and experiences. During “Chelsea Does Marriage”, her documentation of different marriages turned into a self-realization of her own commitment issues being the reason that she has never been married. These reflections bring the usually harsh comic back down to earth, making her more relatable to viewers, making the show engaging and worth watching.
While Handler’s sense of humor is generally amusing, she often takes pride in her unwillingness to show remorse for offending other people, making her and her show less enjoyable. For example, during “Chelsea Does Racism”, she tries justifying her own racist jokes as merely harmless comedy. This was one of the series’ weak points, as she seems to continuously encourage a retrogressive mindset throughout the episode.
Despite its flaws, “Chelsea Does” is an incredibly amusing series that turns a documentary into comedy, entertaining viewers while they are being exposed to new perspectives. Trivial topics met by humorous discussions that made this version of a documentary more entertaining surpassing the monotonous content often found in the genre.
“Chelsea Does” is only available to stream on Netflix.
Leave a Reply