Dave Chappelle’s shocking comedy show at the Hollywood Bowl didn’t make the cut on Netflix.
On Monday, Netflix announced that Chappelle’s recent, infamous show at the Netflix Is a Joke festival will not appear on the streaming titan’s platform along with other content from its inaugural comedy festival.
The veteran comedian performed four sold-out shows at the Hollywood Bowl in late April and early May. During his final performance a man carrying a replica handgun attached to a knife confronted Chappell.
Police arrested 23-year-old suspect Isaiah Lee in the attack, and Lee is now facing misdemeanor charges. Chappell was not injured and continued his set while his security team battled the attacker.
Tim Nwachukuo via Getty Images
Despite the jaw-dropping moment, Netflix insists that Chappelle’s set absence is not due to the attack, According to the Hollywood Reporter,
Ahead of the festival, Netflix made it clear that it never planned to share Chappelle’s performance with audiences because their set had not been filmed specifically.
THR reported that the streaming service had made the decision even before Chappelle took the stage last week.
Netflix plans to release several tapes from its comedy festival in the coming weeks, featuring performances from Snoop Dogg, Bill Burr, Pete Davidson, David Letterman, Amy Schumer, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.
THR reported that Chappell’s personal team shot his segment using their own cameras.
Whether or not Chappelle will eventually release the footage is unclear at this time, but it apparently isn’t part of Netflix’s plans.
The satirical comic’s final special, “The Closer,” debuted on Netflix last year and inspired backlash due to Chappelle’s comments about LGBTQ+ communities. Netflix employees staged a walkout to protest the company’s decision to stream the special.
Netflix, however, refused to break ties with the artist. Company’s CThe O-CEO, Ted Sarandos, addressed the controversy last October in an email to employees obtained by Variety: “Many of you have even asked where we draw the line on hate. We don’t allow such titles on Netflix. Gives that are designed to incite hatred or violence, and we do not believe Clojure crosses that line. However, I agree that it’s hard to differentiate between commentary and loss, especially with stand-up comedy that exists to push boundaries. ,
“Some people find the art of stand-up to be mean spirited, but our members enjoy it, and it’s an important part of our content offering,” Sarandos said.
Here are the premiere dates netflix is ​​a joke festival special:
May 19: “The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up”
June 6: “Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill”
June 7 and 12: “That’s My Time with David Letterman”
June 9: “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration”
June 10: “A Tribute to Bob Saget”
June 11: “Amy Schumer’s parenting advice”
June 13: “Pete Davidson Presents: Best Friends”
June 14: “Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live”
June 16: “Snoop Dogg’s F-Around Comedy Special”
June 23: “Fest of the Best”
Watch the Netflix Is A Joke festival trailer below.
