Chelsea Handler’s Netflix talk show, “Chelsea,” returns Friday — with some big changes in store

Chelsea Handler has some fun while visiting India for her talk show, "Chelsea." Season 2 premieres Friday on Netflix. Netflix

 

Gone are the three 30-minute shows that aired last season each Wednesday through Friday. They’ve been replaced by one 60-minute episode airing each Friday, allowing Handler more time to cover specific topics and to incorporate her worldwide travels into each hour.
Handler, 42, talked to The Post about the challenges she faced in the premiere season of “Chelsea,” and about her hopes for Season 2.

You’re going to a Friday-only show. What wasn’t working last season?

My main issue was that when I wanted to delve into a topic — climate change or gender disparity — I just wasn’t getting enough time to do it. I said to Netflix, “I just need more time to delve into topics I care about. I want the show to have serious and silly moments, to be funny and stupid, and I just don’t think 30 minutes is enough.” It felt too harried for me, kind of all over the map, and I wanted it to be more centralized. They discussed maybe doing a 90-minute episode on Friday nights, because it’s their biggest viewing night. We decided on an hour. It was totally mutual; nobody has ever decided anything for me in my career but me. I love the travel component and love going to places they’ve allowed me to go — India, England, Wales, Paris; we get to really go into some s- -t, and with 30 episodes I’m able to have themes. So I’m feeling pretty good about this.

Did you pay attention to what the critics were saying when the show launched last year?

Oh yeah, the premiere was a disaster, but there were many reasons for that. It was a terrible beginning for the show but I found my way — I always do, and eventually I land on my feet. I never had something so rough getting off the ground. The important thing is to be happy as a performer. It’s hard to not be getting good reviews, hard to have people saying [the show] sucks, and it’s especially hard when you believe that’s true — and for a month or two in the beginning, I did [believe that]. I didn’t find my footing for about eight weeks. I talked to my executive producer and she said, “The great thing people like about you is that you don’t give a s–t about what anybody thinks and you’re holding on way too tight to this. You have to let go.” And I did.

I’ve been bitching and moaning my whole career and I finally have something to actually harness that toward. Now I feel purposeful.
 - Chelsea Handler

What have you learned in your journey as a talk show host, first on E! and now on Netflix?

I’m 42 now, and I was like 31 when I started my first show [on E!]. You grow up and different things matter. Right now there’s a lot of stuff going on that’s really upsetting, destructive and hateful. I’ve been bitching and moaning my whole career and I finally have something to actually harness that toward. Now I feel purposeful. I can make a difference — I can start a women’s march, I can help Syrian refugee families. I always wanted to be a good person but now I can put my money where my mouth is and use the show as a platform for specific purposes — to be a rallying cry to support women, minorities and the LGBT community. Before it was fun being famous. Now it’s more serious. I want people to depend on me for something.
“Chelsea” Season 2 premieres Friday on Netflix