Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Navigating the choppy comedic waters in the relatively uncharted sea of streaming video talk shows isn’t easy, but it appears as though Chelsea Handler, host of Netflix’s not-so-coincidentally named late-night series Chelsea, may have righted the ship!
Launching back in May, Handler’s newest talk show venture didn’t get off to the strongest of starts, but unlike most new shows that premiere, the difficulties could not be chalked up to inexperience. Handler is a seasoned veteran of the talk show scene who sharpened her oratory skills during her seven year stint as host of E!’s Chelsea Lately. Her mordant wit is so revered that if you were to tell me Hollywood was making a good but not great rom-com about losing yourself but finding your heart in the chaotic world of late night television, I’d imagine Handler in the role of the sage late night host who provides life-altering insight to the wide-eyed, new in town rookie (portrayed, quite obviously, by Anna Kendrick).
Back in August, Decider chronicled some of the problems that plagued Handler’s series from the beginning. From execution issues to lack of quality bits, Chelsea was met with tepid reviews. Not helping the buzz or inspiring any confidence in the program, showrunner Bill Wolff exited the series after only three weeks.
But what a difference a couple of months can make.
Handler’s recent stretch of shows demonstrate everything fans loved about her E! series. The host has returned to her strengths by aiming her unique blend of irascible and incisive commentary on the issues of the day, and today’s issue of the day is DON’T YOU DARE CANCEL ON CHELSEA HANDLER. The host had some choice words for noted Donald Trump supporter Ann Coulter when she emailed in that she was too sick to make a scheduled appearance on Handler’s show. As Handler illustrates, revenge is a dish best served…. on Netflix.
Undeterred by the cancellation, Handler enlisted the services of Coulter’s body double, played by the inimitable Fortune Feimster, to stop by and read some controversial passages from Coulter’s book, In Trump We Trust. After repeatedly skewering the political commentator with her own words, Handler reacted to the studio audience’s antipathy towards Coulter’s book with this gem.
“In all fairness, in defense of my audience, it’s hard to get through that piece of shit,” Handler said receiving applause. “It is. And I love to read.”
You can watch the uproarious (and completely NSFW) clip below!
This is the type of Chelsea Handler to which people flock! A few weeks ago, the host aired a another entertaining dinner party episode — which featured a main entree of captivating political discourse courtesy of W. Kamau Bell and S.E. Cupp, among others — followed by an appearance by Sarah Silverman who dropped by for a hilarious (and 100% NSFW) conversation about the c-word.
And, no, I’m not talking about the boat.
By finally embracing what made audiences fall in love with her, Chelsea Handler’s Netflix talk show has become appointment viewing.
