Some of the writers behind NBC’s long-running sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” may be planning to boycott the next show because comedian Dave Chappelle has been tapped to host.
According to a report from Page Six, some of the writers were angry that producers had asked Chappelle — who has been accused of telling “transphobic” and “homophobic” jokes in a number of his stand-up comedy specials — to host the November 12th broadcast, and they opted to bow out.
“They’re not going to do the show,” an insider reportedly informed Page Six of the writers. “But none of the actors are boycotting.”
“SNL” prompted some backlash on Twitter when Chappelle’s appearance was first announced last week.
next week’s show! pic.twitter.com/yyWCsszXDw
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 6, 2022
One critic pointed out the fact that people were so incensed by Chappelle’s appearance that no one was reacting to the fact that hip-hop group Black Star was going to perform for the first time in more than a decade.
“chappelle reputation is so godawful that nobody even CARES that Black Star is reuniting lmfao one of the most beloved supergroups in hip hop performing after an 11 yr long hiatus & ppl not even noticing cuz the other guy on stage just been talking so much shit abt trans ppl LOL,” one Twitter user said.
chappelle reputation is so godawful that nobody even CARES that Black Star is reuniting lmfao one of the most beloved supergroups in hip hop performing after an 11 yr long hiatus & ppl not even noticing cuz the other guy on stage just been talking so much shit abt trans ppl LOL https://t.co/88jtXsUuZM
— ⌘ left at london ⌘ (@LeftAtLondon) November 6, 2022
“SNL’s latest putrid attempt to pander to edgelords amidst flailing ratings and a beyond vile reputation. can’t keep your cast members or write a single funny punchline so you resort to platforming stale transphobes. the rot run deep. what a bunch of losers,” complained The Daily Beast film critic Coleman Spilde.
Once news broke that some of the writers might boycott the show, however, The Hill’s media and politics columnist — and Fox News contributor — Joe Concha argued that their loss could potentially be the audience’s gain.
“If the great Dave Chappelle is hosting, methinks any assistance from some of the worst writers in comedy won’t be needed. Just hand the keys to Dave and get out of the way,” he said.
If the great Dave Chappelle is hosting, methinks any assistance from some of the worst writers in comedy won’t be needed. Just hand the keys to Dave and get out of the way. https://t.co/Jng0CoaIUo
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) November 10, 2022
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton appeared to agree with Concha, saying, “SNL more likely to be funny as SNL staff writers stage boycott over appearance of black comedian.”
"SNL more likely to be funny as SNL staff writers stage boycott over appearance of black comedian." https://t.co/ZeIcaYRdhv
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) November 10, 2022
“Fire the writers. Have Chappelle do an hour of stand up. Problem solved,” The First producer Nick Rizzuto added.
Fire the writers. Have Chappelle do an hour of stand up. Problem solved. https://t.co/0jfx06wmbD
— Nick Rizzuto (@Nick_Rizzuto) November 10, 2022