Dave Chappelle Responds To Backlash Surrounding His New Special: ‘I Love It’

chappelle the closer

Netflix


  • Dave Chappelle has responded to the backlash to his new stand-up special The Closer.
  • “If this is what being canceled is like, I love it,” Chappelle said.
  • Keep up with all of the latest pop culture news here.

Taking to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday night, 48-year-old stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle responded to the backlash that his latest Netflix special, The Closer, has been receiving.

Chappelle, who was sharing a look at a documentary about his series of stand-up shows in rural Ohio during the pandemic summer of 2020, walked on stage following the screening to a standing ovation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Once on stage, Chappelle said, “If this is what being canceled is like, I love it.”

Chappelle shared the marquee with a screening of Untitled: Dave Chappelle Documentary, a 118-minute film directed by American Factory Oscar winners Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert that offers an inside look at last year’s “Summer Camp” series. Mounted at Wirrig Pavilion near Chappelle’s home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, the 50+ shows served to reinvigorate the small town during dark days in the COVID-19 pandemic as it played host to his circle of famous friends.

“F–k Twitter. Fuck NBC News, ABC News, all these stupid ass networks,” Chappelle said. “I’m not talking to them. I’m talking to you. This is real life.”

According to reports, Chappelle’s screening was a star-studded event with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Nas, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Stevie Wonder, Lizzo, Jon Hamm, Brad Pitt, Tiffany Haddish, and Stevie Wonder in attendance.

Chappelle’s newest stand-up special The Closer hit Netflix on Tuesday, October 5, and has been in the news ever since due to jokes he made about the LGTBQ community. As a result, organizations such as GLAAD and the National Black Justice Coalition have tried to get the special taken down off Netflix.

At this time, The Closer and Chappelle’s other Netflix stand-ups — The Age of Spin, Deep In The Heart of Texas, Equanimity, The Bird Revelation, Sticks & Stones, and 8:46 — can be found streaming on Netflix.

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Eric Italiano BroBIble avatar
Eric Italiano is a NYC-based writer who spearheads BroBible's Pop Culture and Entertainment content. He covers topics such as Movies, TV, and Video Games, while interviewing actors, directors, and writers.