Netflix has picked up the stand-up special “Chappelle’s Home Team – Donnell Rawlings: A New Day,” the latest installment in a series of stand-alone comedy specials executive produced by Chappelle. “Chappelle’s Home Team – Donnell Rawlings: A New Day” is Rawlings’ first solo stand-up comedy special for Netflix, and is set to premiere on Feb. 27.
Directed by Emmy and Grammy award winner Stan Lathan, the special was filmed at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City during the New York Comedy Festival in November.“Chappelle’s Home Team – Donnell Rawlings: A New Day” is executive produced by Chappelle, Rikki Hughes and Lathan.
“It’s a new day, and Donnell Rawlings is feeling good. Dressed in a blue suit, red socks and lotioned ankles, he’s here to discuss toxic relationships, traveling to New Zealand, aging, co-parenting and much more,” reads the special’s synopsis.
Rawlings was previously featured on “The Degenerates” (2019) and on “Snoop Dogg’s F*cn Around Comedy Special” (2022). Rawlings then joined Chappelle on his special “Dave Chappelle and Friends” at the Hollywood Bowl and performed a solo during the previous Netflix is a Joke comedy festival, where he will perform again as it returns this spring.
Rawlings was previously seen in sketches as “Ashy Larry” on “Chappelle’s Show.” He also appeared as Damien “Day-Day” Price on HBO’s “The Wire,” and he also starred as Dez in the animated Pixar film “Soul.”
The Rawlings special is the third installment of “Home Team,” which features comedians spotlighted and chosen by Chappelle.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, and comedians like Donnell are not only friends but have inspired my own career,” Chappelle said in a statement. “Anyone in the comedy community knows these names and knows their time to shine is long overdue. I am proud to be a part of this moment.”
The first special released as part of “Home Team” was “Chappelle’s Home Team – Earthquake: Legendary,” which premiered in February 2022. It was followed by “Chappelle’s Home Team – Luenell: Town Business” on September 2023.
