Comedian Dave Chappelle dropped in on a surprised and apparently delighted New York City audience on Saturday, appearing as the unannounced opening act for fellow comedians Chris Rock and Kevin Hart for their “Only Headliners Allowed” tour stop at Madison Square Garden.
Chappelle, who was ousted from a Minnesota venue less than a week earlier over jokes critics had slammed as “transphobic,” joined the two onstage and was greeted by an explosion of applause from the audience.
“Had to sneak my way in here,” Chappelle reportedly told the audience by way of explanation, walking out to Radiohead’s “Karma Police.”
“Despite what you may have read about in the news, I’m OK, and I appreciate the support,” he added.
Hart called Chappelle’s appearance “the best moment” of his career, sharing several photos from the event. “Last night was by far the best moment of my career,” he tweeted. “I can’t even explain it … I can’t find the words … Just know that last night was the true definition of a ‘EPIC NIGHT’ … I love my brothers more than words can explain. We made history last night!!! #RockHartChappelle”
Last night was by far the best moment of my career…I can’t even explain it…I can’t find the words…Just know that last night was the true definition of a “EPIC NIGHT”…I love my brothers more than words can explain. We made history last night!!!#RockHartChappelle pic.twitter.com/x1XtRXZQCO
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) July 24, 2022
And the fans appeared to be more than happy with the surprise addition to the evening’s lineup.
“#ChrisRock, #KevinHart, and #DaveChappelle on the same stage at MSG was nothing short of legendary,” @Callistusss tweeted. “Honored to have witnessed.”
#ChrisRock , #KevinHart , and #DaveChappelle on the same stage at MSG was nothing short of legendary. Honored to have witnessed 🙏🏼 (more footage on my Instagram @Callistusss ) pic.twitter.com/4VHDXJGiiW
— Callistus (@Callistusss) July 24, 2022
“I just witnessed comedic history at @TheGarden @KevinHart4Real @chrisrock and @DaveChappelle on one stage!” Jennifer King added. “It was like seeing Kobe drop 80 in there! Wow!”
I just witnessed comedic history at @TheGarden @KevinHart4real @chrisrock and @DaveChappelle on 1 stage! It was like seeing Kobe drop 80 in there! Wow!
— Jennifer King (@JenniferKing5) July 24, 2022
Ben Gilbert made a similar comparison, tweeting, “Anyone who saw Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart last night at MSG is so wildly lucky that it’s kind of hard to fathom. That’s like going to see a Kendrick and J. Cole show and the surprise opener is Drake.”
Anyone who saw Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart last night at MSG is so wildly lucky that it's kind of hard to fathom. That's like going to see a Kendrick and J. Cole show and the surprise opener is Drake.
— Ben Gilbert (@RealBenGilbert) July 24, 2022
Chappelle has recently been under fire for jokes from his latest Netflix special “The Closer,” during which he defended “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who has been labeled a TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist).
“They canceled J.K. Rowling – my God,” Chappelle said. “Effectually she said gender was a fact, the trans community got mad as (expletive), they started calling her a TERF … I’m Team TERF. I agree. I agree, man. Gender is a fact.”