Chelsea Does...

Since both Chelsea Lately and After Lately have been off the air since 2014, it had been more than a while since I'd had a Chelsea Handler fix when I found out that she was coming out with a four-part "documentary" series on Netflix called Chelsea Does.

Side note: Since I grew up during the golden age of television (well okay maybe not that long ago but you know what I mean) I'm accustomed to the standard television series format, you know, where new episodes are aired on a weekly basis. After watching the first episode of Chelsea Does I'm embarrassed to say that I actually waited until the following week to watch the next one, forgetting that online series don't work the same way and are meant to be binge-watched. 

 bae

Focusing on marriage, Silicon Valley, racism and drugs, the dosuseries explores a variety of sometimes difficult topics through a comedian's (and sometimes several comedians) eyes, blending seriousness and humour for an end result that manages to make you both think and laugh.

Side note: Silicon Valley is NOT pronounced the way you think it is.

who knew? 

Of the four episodes I'd have to say the marriage one was probably the least interesting - probably because Chelsea herself doesn't seem to be that interested in it - though it is the first time viewers are introduced to the real Seymour Handler (ahem), Chelsea's father and a former used-care salesman.

"I don't think it covered the issue at all," Seymour says to Chelsea after one of their interviews.

And while he may not be entirely wrong, Chelsea Does does (!) manage to surprise with some pretty enlightening, and sometimes raw, footage - especially in the episodes about racism and drugs.

"pffffffft!" LOL

Side note: I'm one of those people who has a hard time watching other people make a fool of themselves. Like, I literally get sooo uncomfortable I can't watch... which is why I can't watch shows like American Idol and The Bachelor (also, because I don't want to). Chelsea Does... Racism provoked a similar reaction in me at times.

In Chelsea Does... Drugs, Chelsea films herself being a human guinea pig experimenting with a variety of non-recommended drug combinations like Adderall and alcohol and Ambien and alcohol while being interviewed by a neuroscientist. She also goes to Peru to do ayahuasca as part of a traditional ceremony performed by a shaman; a moment when a little-seen side of the comedian delights as tears roll down her smiling face. 

I'm a big fan of Ms. Handler's interviewing skillz and I think it's her interviews with everyone from the founder of Ashley Madison Noel Biderman and his wife Amanda Biderman, Al Sharpton and Willie Nelson to a roundtable with media advocates and interviews with common racists that make this docuseries especially worth watching.

As well as Seymour. 

And Chunk.