Dave Chappelle- For What It's Worth

“For What It’s Worth” is a DVD of Dave Chappelle’s performance at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, CA. During his acts, he usually talks about racism and celebrity. On this particular DVD, Chappelle discusses the country music band The Dixie Chicks, and wonders why people care so much what they have to say about President George W. Bush, noting that the Dixie Chicks are not political scientists (who we should be turning to for this). He also brings up an MTV show from around September 11th on which the rapper Ja Rule was asked for his thoughts about the attacks. Chappelle asks why people want to know what a rapper thinks in a time of national tragedy. During this segment, Chappelle flat out says, “stop worshiping celebrities so much,” which is the main point he wants to get across with this piece. He uses the examples of the Dixie Chicks and Ja Rule to support this claim that people turn to celebrities for all of their needs, even though they are highly unqualified to fill them.

Dave Chappelle. For What It's Worth. Dir. Stan Lathan. The Fillmore Auditorium. Sony Pictures, 2004. DVD.