Netflix Stands By The Closer: The Stories of a Man Who Defended and Done His [Sticks and Stones]
Netflix stood by the special, which was later nominated for two Emmys. Chappelle addressed the criticism on tour shortly after the release of his special, telling his audience he was willing to talk with trans critics but was not “bending to anybody’s demands.”
He also referred to trans people as “transgenders,” states that “gender is a fact” and later says that Dorman died by suicide shortly after she was criticized by other trans people for defending Chappelle after “Sticks and Stones.”
The special was not pulled despite calls from LGBTQ advocates, as well as fellow comedians and social justice organizations.
“We don’t allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don’t believe ‘The Closer’ crosses that line … 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 wrote.
October 20: Around 65 demonstrators, including Netflix employees and trans advocates, participated in a walkout in protest of Netflix’s support of “The Closer.” The demonstrators called on Netflix to hire more trans and non-binary executives and fund more trans and non-binary talent.
Chappelle said that he no longer enjoys performing in front of large crowds because it makes his job hard because of the backlash when comedians make offensive jokes.
“I want everyone in this audience to know that even though the media frames it as though it’s me versus that community, that’s not what it is,” Chappelle went on. Don’t blame the LBGTQ community for any of this. It’s about the corporate interest and what I can say.
Everyone from that community has been wonderful, and I need you to know this. I am not sure what all this nonsense is about.
How Do We Stand Up? When Chappelle and West Learned to Respond to Antisemitic Comments on “Purple Rain”
July 21: A Minneapolis venue canceled Chappelle’s sold-out show hours before its doors were set to open, apologizing to “staff, artists and our community” after receiving criticism for hosting Chappelle.
“We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have,” wrote First Avenue, the venue famous for being featured in Prince’s “Purple Rain” film.
November 10: After the New York Post reported that several “SNL” writers are boycotting Saturday’s episode, Chappelle’s representatives told CNN there are no issues with writers or cast members. The current staff of SNL includes Molly Kearney and Celeste Yim.
He unfolded a small piece of paper and read from it before beginning his routine. And I stand with my friends in the Jewish community.’ And that is how you buy yourself some time.
Chappelle said he usually approaches West when he is involved in controversy, but waited to observe the response to his antisemitic statements. Chappelle joked that a basketball player was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets for sharing a link to an antisemitic movie because he had gotten in so much trouble.
Chappelle said he could see how West would “adopt the delusion that the Jews run show business,” saying it’s “not a crazy thing to think – but it’s a crazy thing to say out loud in a climate like this.”
He said that Black Americans are not to blame for the terrible things that have happened to Jews around the world. You can’t.