Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has issued a new internal memo defending the streamer’s decision to stand behind Dave Chappelle amid the growing controversy over his latest special, The Closer. Sarandos rejected the notion made by LGBTQ+ advocates that that Chappelle’s derogatory comments about transgender people could inspire hate and violence. “While some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm,” Sarandos wrote. Advertisement Related Video “The strongest evidence to support this is that violence on screens has grown hugely over the last thirty years, especially with first party shooter games, and yet violent crime has fallen significantly in many countries,” Sarandos added. “Adults can watch violence, assault and abuse ...
Last week, Dave Chappelle drew backlash for continuing his pattern of making derogatory jokes about transgender people in his Netflix special The Closer, but for now the streamer’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos is standing by his cash cow. In an internal memo obtained by Variety, Sarandos vowed not to pull the special from Netflix, citing creative freedom. He also stated that the stand-up special doesn’t cross the company’s “line on hate” and delineated the “different standard of speech” that applies to stand-up compared to what is allowed internally. “Chapelle is one of the most popular stand-up comedians today, and we have a long standing deal with him,” wrote Sarandos. “His last special Sticks & Stones, also controversial, is our most watched, stickiest, and most award winning stand-up s...
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Lester Cohen / Courtesy of Netflix Dave Chappelle is returning to Netflix with yet another new comedy special, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With everything going on in the world and all the divisions creating havoc on our society, we could definitely use a good laugh while getting some good insight on how comically bad things have gotten thus far. Enter Dave Chappelle. Dubbed The Closer, the new stand-up special is set to stream on Netflix this October 5 and will surely give us OG Chappelle fans what we need: laughter. “Comedians have a responsibility to speak recklessly,” Dave says in the trailer. “Sometimes the funniest thing to say is mean. Remember, I’m not saying it to be mean: I’m saying it because it’s funny.” Yes, more of that energ...