When it comes to Dave Chapelle, Cancel Culture continuously holds the L. Cancel Culture has taken on a lot of high-profile people and has been pretty successful in many of their attempts. Because of cancel culture, some very prominent figures have felt the brunt of its effects. Thanks to cancel culture, celebrities like R. Kelly, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, and Kevin Spacey have never recovered.
Actor Chris Noth from Sex and The City and HBO Max’s And Just Like That…. is also one of the latest celebrities to feel the heat for multiple inappropriate assault allegations. Other celebrities like Kevin Hart and Ellen DeGeneres have been affected by cancel culture but remain active in their work. However, it appears that those who actively participate in cancel culture can’t seem to uproot one prominent figure’s standing in Hollywood.
Comedian Dave Chappelle has been the topic of conversation a lot as of late. His Netflix specials continue to debut on the streaming giant’s top ten worldwide charts, but they generate immense adverse reactions from many, both on and off of social media. After what felt like an eternal hiatus, Dave Chappelle made a glorious comeback to the centerstage following his acclaimed sketch comedy show on Comedy Central. In 2017, Dave Chappelle released the first of many intended Netflix specials that would each pay him $20 million, thanks to a significant deal with the platform.
But while Dave Chappelle has been known for his controversial stylings his whole career, it began to ruffle many of this generation’s feathers in his later work. Using his many observations and stating his opinions, Dave Chappelle filled his 2019 and 2021 Netflix specials, Sticks and Stones and The Closer, to both massive praise and backlash.
Critics of Sticks and Stones attempted to cancel Dave Chappelle for his opinions on the LGBTQ+ community, his thoughts and defense of Louis CK, and jokes on the Michael Jackson and R. Kelly incidents. However, the acclaimed comedian received widespread acclaim from fans and some critics despite the backlash. Sticks and Stones also received multiple accolades, including a Grammy for Best Comedy Album and three out of six Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded).
The backlash would only intensify when The Closer became available in 2021 on Netflix. Many from the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the trans community and trans activists, called for the immediate pulling of the special from Netflix’s CEO. Part of this number included transgender employees of Netflix. Protests also were planned and executed in front of the streaming giant’s Los Angeles offices. Besides labeling it “unfunny,” they expressed that the commentary was destructive, damaging, and hateful.
But it appeared that the many attempts to get Dave Chappelle canceled only backfired. Shortly after the release of the 2021 Netflix special, the comedian sold out the Hollywood Bowl for an event and received a rousing standing ovation from the star-studded and fan-filled audience. The Hollywood Reporter claims that Chappelle addressed the fanfare by declaring, “If this is what canceled is like, I love it.”
Attempts to have Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos pull the special were thwarted as the company stood by its decision to have the special remain on the platform. Dave Chappelle’s newfound success from the .documentary also allowed him to launch a successful 11-city tour, including a headlining run with The Roots’ Black Thought at Paris’ Apollo Théâtre and the Le Trianon.
The wins kept winning for Dave Chappelle following The Closer. In December, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor recipient was announced as the headliner for the upcoming 11-day Netflix is a Joke Festival, occurring at the Hollywood Bowl from April 28 through May 8. Chappelle also became the recipient of the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series” for his hosting duties on Saturday Night Live. He was also nominated for three other Emmys for his other Netflix special, Dave Chappelle: 8:46. Chappelle is also a Grammy nominee at this year’s ceremony for “Best Spoken Word Album.”
If you thought Chappelle’s relationship with Netflix was done, a new deal was just announced. The comedian will be producing four new specials from comedians that he’s handpicked.
