Netflix has announced that the controversial comedian, Dave Chappelle will be a part of the Netflix Is a Joke Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in 2022, headlining the event.
This festival is an 11-day comedy festival that will see more than 130 artists perform at 25 different venues across Los Angeles from April 28th to May 8th, 2022.
Chappelle recently found himself in some hot waters with the trans community and their allies due to some of his ignorant and derogatory comments at his latest Netflix comedy special The Closer which was also his final special at the streaming service.
His comments led to a mass employee walkout at the Netflix headquarters and sparked huge debates where the world was divided into Dave Chappelle apologetics and people who called him out for his transphobic jokes. The trans community wanted his special to be taken down but the streaming service did not comply.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos eventually addressed the situation, defending his decision of the special to be harmless and in good faith while admitting that Chappelle’s delivery of humour could be dealt with “more humanity”.
While Chappelle’s scathing humour and searing commentary on politics, racism and culture have always been well-received, his recent comments in his special are endemic of a larger problem and he is still the butt of all controversy.
Chappelle will be joined by many comedians, notably the ‘STAND OUT’, hosted by the Greek Theatre that will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and feature Bob the Drag Queen, Fortune Feimster, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Joel Kim Booster, Trixie Mattel, Eddie Izzard, Gina Yashere, Judy Gold, Mae Martin, Patti Harrison, River Butcher, Sam Jay, Marsha Warfield, Margaret Cho, Matteo Lane, Sandra Bernhard, Solomon Georgio, Scott Thompson, Wanda Sykes, Tig Notaro and others.
While a lot of shows will be recorded and released on Netflix, Chappelle’s show will, reportedly, not be recorded.
