Famed comedians <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dave-chappelle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dave Chappelle</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chris-rock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Rock</a> slammed disgraced actor Will Smith while performing together in the U.K. over the actor&#8217;s attack on Rock during this year&#8217;s Oscars.
&#8220;F*** your hostage video,&#8221; Rock <a href="https://deadline.com/2022/09/chris-rock-will-smith-slap-hostage-apology-video-dave-chapelle-1235107682/">said</a> during a portion of his stand up routine in reference to the apology that Smith gave over the incident. “Yes, that s*** hurt. He played Ali. I can’t even play Floyd Mayweather.”
Rock was followed by Chappelle, who also commented on the incident, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/chris-rock-dave-chappelle-review-duo-unpick-infamous-oscars/">saying</a>, “That was some scary s***.”
“A lot of people forget who Will Smith is,” Chappelle continued, noting Smith&#8217;s upbringing in west Philadelphia. “Then 10 minutes before he was about to get the biggest award … he acted like he was back in Philadelphia.&#8221;
Earlier this month, Chappelle asked Rock on the stage at Liverpool’s M&amp;S Bank Arena in the U.K. if that slap hurt, to which Rock <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/motherfer-hit-me-over-a-bulls-joke-chris-rock-unleashes-on-will-smith-over-oscars-slap">replied</a>, “G*****n right … the motherf***er hit me over a bulls*** joke, the nicest joke I ever told.”
“Will did the impression of a perfect person for 30 years, and he ripped his mask off and showed us he was as ugly as the rest of us,&#8221; Chappelle said. &#8220;Whatever the consequences are … I hope he doesn’t put his mask back on again, and lets his real face breathe. I see myself in both men.”
Smith <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-will-smith-releases-video-apologizing-for-oscars-slap-of-chris-rock">released</a> a nearly six-minute video earlier this summer apologizing to Rock for the incident.
The video showed Smith, wearing a ball cap and golf shirt and seated in what appears to be his home, answering questions from fans and critics on the internet. In a sometimes halting voice, Smith expresses deep remorse for the March 27 incident that has likely cost him his place atop Tinseltown.
“It’s been a minute …,” text on the video begins. “Over the last few months, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and personal work.”
Smith then reads and answers questions about the shocking incident, in which he charged the stage at the Academy Awards show and slapped the comedian after he had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Minutes later, Smith was awarded a “Best Actor” Oscar for his role as tennis patriarch Richard Williams.
“Why didn’t you apologize to Chris in your acceptance speech?” Smith begins, reading a question.
“I was fogged out by that point,” he says. “It’s all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out.”
Smith apologizes to Rock, his family and in particular, the comedian’s mother, who he says he saw in an interview and realized how much the incident had hurt her.
“I just didn’t realize, and you know, I wasn’t thinking about how many people got hurt in that moment,” Smith says in the video. “So, I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I want to apologize to Chris’s family, specifically [Chris Rock’s younger brother] Tony Rock. You know, we had a great relationship. You know, Tony Rock was my man. And this is probably irreparable.”
Another question Smith addresses in the video is whether his wife put him up to attacking Rock.
“No. I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences, and my history with Chris,” Smith says. “Jada had nothing to do with it. I’m sorry, babe, and I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us.”
Greg Wilson contributed to this report.

chappelle ellington

Dave Chappelle And Chris Rock Blast Will Smith’s ‘Hostage Video’ Apology

Assault

Chris Rock

Dave Chappelle

Hollywood

Will Smith

Superstar Chris Rock unleashed on Will Smith over the actor slapping him at the 2022 Oscars, saying it was over a “bulls*** joke,&#8221; the &#8220;nicest&#8221; one he ever did.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chris-rock">57-year-old</a> comedian took the stage Thursday alongside Dave Chappelle at Liverpool&#8217;s M&amp;S Bank Arena in the United Kingdom where Chappelle asked him about what happened at the 94th Academy Awards. “Did that s*** hurt,” Chappelle asked, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11173709/Chris-Rock-Smith-did-impression-perfect-man-30-years.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailceleb">Daily Mail</a> in a piece published Friday.
“&#8217;Goddam right … the motherf***er hit me over a bulls*** joke, the nicest joke I ever told,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-chris-rock-says-he-turned-down-offer-to-host-2023-oscars">Rock</a> told the crowd during their U.K. tour.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Chris Rock FINALLY drops his dignified silence on Oscars slap to EVISCERATE Will Smith <a href="https://t.co/Gtf4W0hKQT">https://t.co/Gtf4W0hKQT</a>
&mdash; Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) <a href="https://twitter.com/DailyMailCeleb/status/1565715357788160002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Will did the impression of a perfect person for 30 years, and he ripped his mask off and showed us he was as ugly as the rest of us,” Chappelle replied.
“Whatever the consequences are … I hope he doesn&#8217;t put his mask back on again and lets his real face breathe,” he added. “I see myself in both men.”
During Rock&#8217;s recent appearance at a comedy club in Phoenix, Arizona, the comedian reportedly told the audience that the Oscars reached out to him to see if he would host the award show next year. He told crowd he refused the invitation and used a reference to details from the murder trial of O.J. Simpson, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/report-chris-rock-says-he-turned-down-offer-to-host-2023-oscars">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported.
The “Death At A Funeral” star previously hosted the annual awards show two other times, in 2005 and then again in 2016, the <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/chris-rock-declined-2023-oscars-host-offer-1235208342/">Hollywood Reporter</a> noted.
It comes after Rock was slapped on stage by the “Men In Black” star at the annual award show after he cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith&#8217;s shaved head amid her hair loss battle, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/will-smith-struck-chris-rock-in-the-face-at-oscars-after-he-cracked-a-joke-about-jada-pinkett-smiths-hair-loss">reported</a>.
In July, Smith released a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXrxDKwlA_s">video</a> on social media issuing another apology to Rock. Smith said he has reached out to Rock, but the message came back that the comedian is not ready to speak to him yet.
After Smith slapped Rock in the face during the award show he was not removed from the building, and a short time later, he took the stage to accept an Oscar for his role in the film “King Richard.”
Later, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a 10-year ban preventing Smith from attending the annual awards show.
Correction: A previous version of this story attributed the fourth and fifth paragraph quotes to Chris Rock. The quotes are by Dave Chappelle.

Chris Rock Performs At Park Theater In Las Vegas

‘Motherf***er Hit Me Over A Bulls*** Joke’: Chris Rock Unleashes On Will Smith Over Oscars Slap

'Motherf***er Hit Me Over A Bulls*** Joke’: Chris Rock Unleashes On Will Smith Over Oscars Slap

Celebrities

Entertainment

Oscars

In the not-so-distant past, comedians made careers out of mocking the most sacred topics in society. Religion, politics, men, women, kids, sex, stereotypes; comedy poked fun at everything humans hold dear, with many stand-up routines employing honesty to address the uncomfortable. Being offensive was always the point.
That was before trans-identifying people became an untouchable class. Thanks to some jokes at their expense, one of comedy’s most respected professionals has become a target for the woke mob. Dave Chappelle isn’t hateful or bigoted. He certainly isn’t conservative. But by the standards of leftists, the “Half Baked” star has committed the ultimate sin.
Compared to some diatribes against the trans agenda, Chappelle’s jokes about that group are downright tame. But that doesn’t matter to activists. The fact that Chappelle has a platform to potentially “spread hate” means that the 48-year-old comedian must be ostracized.
How did we get to this point? 
Chappelle’s history of humor on trans topics goes back to 2017. That’s when he first gained attention for joking about then-President Trump banning trans people from the military and questioning why everyone was so in love with Caitlyn Jenner. 
“Sounds like a secret weapon to me,” the comedian quipped during his set at Radio City Music Hall at the time. “If I was in ISIS in the trenches fighting against the United States and all of the sudden I see a man with a beard and big D-cups titties just rushing my foxhole and s***, I’d be horrified.”
As for Jenner, Chappelle claimed a large part of everyone’s attention and acceptance was due to the reality star’s skin color.
“The only reason all of us are talking about transgenders is because white men want to do it. If it was just blacks and Mexican like, ‘Hey, y’all, we feel like girls inside.’ They’d be like, ‘Shut up, n*****, no one asked how you felt,’’” he said.
The saga came to a head in October 2021 with the release of Chappelle’s Netflix special, “The Closer.” In it, the Emmy Award winning comedian made a couple of jokes about trans people that would inspire an all out war.
“They canceled J.K. Rowling &#8211; my God. Effectually she said gender was fact, the trans community got mad as s***, they started calling her a TERF [trans-exclusionary radical feminist] … I’m Team TERF.”
“Gender is a fact,” Chappelle says in the special. “Every human being in this room, every human being on Earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact. Now, I am not saying that to say trans women aren’t women, I am just saying that those p*****s that they got … you know what I mean? I’m not saying it’s not p****, but it’s Beyond P**** or Impossible P****.”
“Any of you who have ever watched me know that I have never had a problem with transgender people. If you listen to what I’m saying, clearly, my problem has always been with white people,” Chappelle jokes later. 
These jokes prompted a protest from Netflix employees, demanding that the streaming giant remove “The Closer” from the platform. But unlike so many other CEOs who have bowed to activist pressure lately, Netflix head Ted Sarandos <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/netflix-ceo-doubles-down-on-chappelle-amid-news-of-trans-employee-walkout-humor-doesnt-translate-to-real-world-harm">doubled down</a> on the network’s defense of Chappelle and his right to free speech.
“Several of you have also asked where we draw the line on hate. 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,” Sarandos wrote in a letter to managers in mid-October. 
“I recognize, however, that distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy which exists to push boundaries. 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.”
“We know that a number of you have been left angry, disappointed and hurt by our decision to put Dave Chappelle’s latest special on Netflix,” the email continued. “With ‘The Closer,’ we understand that the concern is not about offensive-to-some content but titles which could increase real-world harm…While some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.”
Despite all the backlash, “The Closer” maintained a strong audience <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dave_chappelle_the_closer">rating</a> on Rotten Tomatoes. It was <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/dave-chappelle-emmy-the-closer-outrage-1235312716/">nominated</a> for an Emmy in July 2022. 
Chappelle responded to the controversy by offering to meet with the activists and swearing he harbors no hate for the group. He was just making jokes.
In May, Chappelle got attacked on stage while performing a stand-up routine for the “Netflix Is a Joke” festival. The attacker brandished a replica handgun containing a retractable knife blade. He was later identified as Isaiah Lee, 23, of Los Angeles. 
Lee <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/05/22/isaiah-lee-says-he-was-triggered-by-dave-chappelles-jokes/">told</a> The Post in late May that he thinks Chappelle should be more “sensitive” about the content of his jokes. “I identify as bisexual … and I wanted him to know what he said was triggering,” Lee said. “I wanted him to know that next time, he should consider first running his material by people it could affect.”
“It’s a struggle and I wanted Dave Chappelle to know it’s not a joke,” Lee continued.
Luckily, Chappelle wasn’t harmed and even made light of the situation. “I am going to kill that n*****,” the comedian said. “It was a trans man,” he quipped, which led to laughter and applause from the audience. 
In July 2022, the comedian’s show at the iconic Minnesota music venue First Avenue caved to backlash from protestors. They canceled Chappelle‘s show hours before it was scheduled to start, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/theater-caves-cancels-dave-chappelle-hours-before-show-we-know-there-are-some-who-will-not-agree-with-this-decision">reported</a>.
“The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission,” a statement from the venue said in part.
“We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have,” the theater added. “We know there are some who will not agree with this decision; you are welcome to send feedback.”
Chappelle responded to the cancellation by telling jokes, of course. The comedian <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/transgender-hit-squad-dave-chappelle-mocks-protesters-during-politically-incorrect-show-after-cancelation">addressed</a> protesters outside the show, “swearing through bullhorns and picking fights with fans” and is said to refer to the crowd as “a small group of transgender lunatics.” He claimed the be able to “see a transgender hit squad coming from a mile away.”
Most recently, Chappelle <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/epic-night-just-days-after-one-venue-cancels-dave-chappelle-he-surprises-delighted-audience-in-nyc">delighted fans</a> by showing up unexpectedly to perform the opening act for Chris Rock and Kevin Hart as part of their “Only Headliners Allowed” tour stop at Madison Square Garden.
“Had to sneak my way in here,” Chappelle reportedly joked upon arrival. “Despite what you may have read about in the news, I’m OK, and I appreciate the support,” he said.
Activists are furious, fans are nonchalant, and Chappelle’s coworkers have voiced their support all along. In response to the comedian’s surprise MSG appearance, Hart couldn’t have been happier. 
“Last night was by far the best moment of my career,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinHart4real/status/1551290708212039682">tweeted</a> after the show. “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”
There’s no chance that trans activists will stop trying to cancel Chappelle. What they may not realize is the more they try, the more material they’re providing for one of the funniest men in Hollywood.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Readers Pass – Harding – The Dave Chappelle Phenomenon16x9

Dave Chappelle Is Uncancelable And Trans Activists Can’t Stand It

Cancel Culture

Comedy

Readers Pass

Transgender

Comedian <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chris-rock">Chris Rock</a> reportedly dropped new material on his latest comedy tour with a not-so-subtle reference to what happened at the 2022 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/oscars">Oscars</a> when <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/will-smith">Will Smith</a> walked on stage and slapped him in the face.
It reportedly happened Saturday night at his show in New York at Madison Square Garden during the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chris-rock-breaks-silence-with-first-joke-about-the-slap-at-california-comedy-show">57-year-old</a> comedian&#8217;s &#8220;Only Headliners Allowed&#8221; tour with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/kevin-hart">Kevin Hart</a> and a surprise appearance by Dave Chappelle, <a href="https://www.etonline.com/chris-rock-makes-will-smith-joke-while-addressing-cancel-culture-at-nyc-stand-up-show-187961">Entertainment Tonight</a> reported.
The &#8220;Grown Ups&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chris-rock-talks-smith-oscars-slap-quips-about-how-anyone-who-says-words-hurt-has-never-been-punched-in-face-report">star</a> reportedly made the comment while talking about &#8220;cancel culture&#8221; in a reference about how &#8220;words hurt.&#8221;
&#8220;Chris made a joke about Will during a bit about &#8216;cancel culture,&#8217; joking that &#8216;anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,’” the source told the outlet.
The &#8220;Death at a Funeral&#8221; star also reportedly made the same comment the following day during his set at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/chris-rock-says-hes-not-a-victim-after-will-smith-oscars-slap/">US Weekly</a> noted. He also reportedly referenced that he&#8217;s no victim.
&#8220;I&#8217;m not a victim, motherf***er,&#8221; Rock shared, per an eyewitness.
&#8220;Yeah, that s*** hurt, motherf***er,&#8221; he added. &#8220;But I shook that s*** off and went to work the next day … I don&#8217;t go to the hospital for a papercut.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
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!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RockHartChappelle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RockHartChappelle</a> <a href="https://t.co/x1XtRXZQCO">pic.twitter.com/x1XtRXZQCO</a>
&mdash; Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinHart4real/status/1551290708212039682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
During Saturday&#8217;s show, Hart reportedly brought out on the stage a goat named Will Smith that he said he bought for Rock, <a href="https://www.xxlmag.com/kevin-hart-buys-chris-rock-goat-will-smith/">XXL magazine</a> reported.
&#8220;The name is Will Smith,&#8221; Hart shared, passing the goat to Chris. &#8220;What?&#8221; the comedian responded, as the audience laughed.
During the 94th Academy Awards show, Smith slapped Rock in the face after the comedian cracked a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith&#8217;s shaved head amid her hair loss battle, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/will-smith-struck-chris-rock-in-the-face-at-oscars-after-he-cracked-a-joke-about-jada-pinkett-smiths-hair-loss">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported.
Smith was not removed from the building, and a short time later, he took the stage to accept his first Oscar ever — Best Actor for his role in the film &#8220;King Richard.&#8221; The &#8220;Men in Black&#8221; star later <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/will-smith-issues-apology-to-chris-rock-says-he-was-out-of-line-and-wrong">apologized</a> after the Oscars incident, calling it &#8220;out of line&#8221; and &#8220;wrong.&#8221;
Later, the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/will-smith-banned-from-attending-oscars-for-ten-years-over-chris-rock-slap">Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</a> issued a 10-year ban preventing the actor from attending the annual awards show.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/epic-night-just-days-after-one-venue-cancels-dave-chappelle-he-surprises-delighted-audience-in-nyc">&#8216;Epic Night!&#8217;: Just Days After One Venue &#8216;Cancels&#8217; Dave Chappelle, He Surprises Delighted Audience In NYC</a>

‘Words Hurt’: Comedian Chris Rock References Will Smith Oscars Slap In New Comedy Tour: Report

'Words Hurt’: Comedian Chris Rock References Will Smith Oscars Slap In New Comedy Tour: Report

comedian

Comedian <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dave-chappelle">Dave Chappelle</a> took his protesters head-on after a sudden cancelation last week, reportedly cussing into bullhorns and calling his critics &#8220;transgender lunatics.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/minnesota">Minnesota</a>&#8216;s First Avenue theater on Wednesday <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/theater-caves-cancels-dave-chappelle-hours-before-show-we-know-there-are-some-who-will-not-agree-with-this-decision">caved</a> to protesters and canceled Chappelle&#8217;s set just hours before the show was slated to start. It was quickly relocated to the Varsity Theater that night.
<a href="https://www.startribune.com/review-dave-chappelles-superstar-status-doesnt-justify-superhigh-prices/600191892/">According</a> to the Star Tribune, Chappelle addressed protesters lined up outside the show, &#8220;swearing through bullhorns and picking fights with fans.&#8221; The comic reportedly referred to the protesters as &#8220;a small group of transgender lunatics.&#8221; He also joked that he “can see a transgender hit squad coming from a mile away.&#8221;
First Avenue reportedly canned Chappelle last week over protesters claiming the comic is transphobic. The comedian leans left but has refused to play the politically correct game with his material, specifically when it comes to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/videos/what-is-a-woman?hsa_ver=3&amp;hsa_ad=601397183885&amp;hsa_acc=6411461344&amp;hsa_grp=138191773918&amp;hsa_cam=16696131986&amp;utm_campaign=wiaw&amp;utm_campaign=dw_conversions_subscriptions_wiaw_na&amp;utm_medium=paid&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;cid=wiaw&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;mid=g&amp;utm_term=matt%20walsh%20what%20is%20a%20woman&amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwz96WBhC8ARIsAATR252fdyu9PmLo_GDvE4qJvLELQCStE9AP-5ubHgSZ3kHMehlGEm1BanEaAjdKEALw_wcB&amp;utm_content=na_subscriptions&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-1643521486533&amp;utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_kw=matt%20walsh%20what%20is%20a%20woman&amp;xid=0">radical gender theory</a>.
“We hear you,” First Avenue posted via social media on Wednesday evening. “The Dave Chappelle show tonight at First Avenue has been canceled and is moving to the Varsity Theater,” the statement said, adding apologies to staffers.
“We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down,” the venue continued. “We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls.”
“The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission,” the statement said.
“We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have,” the theater added. “We know there are some who will not agree with this decision; you are welcome to send feedback.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
We hear you. Tonight’s show has been cancelled at First Avenue and is moving to the Varsity Theater. See our full statement for more. <a href="https://t.co/tkf7rz0cc7">pic.twitter.com/tkf7rz0cc7</a>
&mdash; First Avenue (@FirstAvenue) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstAvenue/status/1549866287572160512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/epic-night-just-days-after-one-venue-cancels-dave-chappelle-he-surprises-delighted-audience-in-nyc">The Daily Wire</a> reported that Chappelle surprised a New York City audience over the weekend, appearing as the unannounced opening act for fellow comedians Chris Rock and Kevin Hart on an “Only Headliners Allowed” tour stop.
“Had to sneak my way in here,” Chappelle joked with the thrilled audience, walking out to Radiohead’s “Karma Police.”
“Despite what you may have read about in the news, I’m okay, and I appreciate the support,” the comedian assured fans.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/theater-caves-cancels-dave-chappelle-hours-before-show-we-know-there-are-some-who-will-not-agree-with-this-decision">Theater Caves, Cancels Dave Chappelle Hours Before Show: ‘We Know There Are Some Who Will Not Agree With This Decision’</a>

US-ENTERTAINMENT-HUMOR-MARK TWAIN AWARD

‘Transgender Hit Squad’: Dave Chappelle Mocks Protesters During Politically Incorrect Show After Cancelation

‘Transgender Lunatics’: Dave Chappelle Mocks His Critics During Show 

Minneapolis

Minnesota

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 &#8220;Only Headliners Allowed&#8221; tour stop at Madison Square Garden.
<a href="https://dailywire.com/news/how-bad-does-a-n-have-to-be-that-jon-stewart-would-stomp-him-dave-chappelle-jokes-about-man-who-attacked-him-at-hollywood-bowl/">Chappelle</a>, who was <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/theater-caves-cancels-dave-chappelle-hours-before-show-we-know-there-are-some-who-will-not-agree-with-this-decision/">ousted</a> from a Minnesota venue less than a week earlier over jokes critics had slammed as &#8220;transphobic,&#8221; joined the two onstage and was greeted by an explosion of applause from the audience.
&#8220;Had to sneak my way in here,&#8221; Chappelle reportedly told the audience by way of explanation, walking out to Radiohead&#8217;s &#8220;Karma Police.&#8221;
&#8220;Despite what you may have read about in the news, I’m OK, and I appreciate the support,&#8221; he added.
Hart called Chappelle&#8217;s appearance &#8220;the best moment&#8221; of his career, sharing several photos from the event. &#8220;Last night was by far the best moment of my career,&#8221; he tweeted. &#8220;I can&#8217;t even explain it &#8230; I can&#8217;t find the words &#8230; Just know that last night was the true definition of a &#8216;EPIC NIGHT&#8217; &#8230; I love my brothers more than words can explain. We made history last night!!! #RockHartChappelle&#8221;
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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!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RockHartChappelle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RockHartChappelle</a> <a href="https://t.co/x1XtRXZQCO">pic.twitter.com/x1XtRXZQCO</a>
&mdash; Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinHart4real/status/1551290708212039682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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And the fans appeared to be more than happy with the surprise addition to the evening&#8217;s lineup.
&#8220;#ChrisRock, #KevinHart, and #DaveChappelle on the same stage at MSG was nothing short of legendary,&#8221; @Callistusss tweeted. &#8220;Honored to have witnessed.&#8221;
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChrisRock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChrisRock</a> , <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KevinHart?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KevinHart</a> , and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DaveChappelle?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DaveChappelle</a> on the same stage at MSG was nothing short of legendary. Honored to have witnessed 🙏🏼 (more footage on my Instagram <a href="https://twitter.com/Callistusss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Callistusss</a> ) <a href="https://t.co/4VHDXJGiiW">pic.twitter.com/4VHDXJGiiW</a>
&mdash; Callistus (@Callistusss) <a href="https://twitter.com/Callistusss/status/1551052909525323776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I just witnessed comedic history at @TheGarden @KevinHart4Real @chrisrock and @DaveChappelle on one stage!&#8221; Jennifer King added. &#8220;It was like seeing Kobe drop 80 in there! Wow!&#8221;
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I just witnessed comedic history at <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheGarden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinHart4real?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KevinHart4real</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisrock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chrisrock</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveChappelle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaveChappelle</a> on 1 stage! It was like seeing Kobe drop 80 in there! Wow!
&mdash; Jennifer King (@JenniferKing5) <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferKing5/status/1551040906047913985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Ben Gilbert made a similar comparison, tweeting, &#8220;Anyone who saw Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart last night at MSG is so wildly lucky that it&#8217;s kind of hard to fathom. That&#8217;s like going to see a Kendrick and J. Cole show and the surprise opener is Drake.&#8221;
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Anyone who saw Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart last night at MSG is so wildly lucky that it&#39;s kind of hard to fathom. That&#39;s like going to see a Kendrick and J. Cole show and the surprise opener is Drake.
&mdash; Ben Gilbert (@RealBenGilbert) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBenGilbert/status/1551184767961497600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Chappelle has recently been <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/dave-chappelle-fires-back-at-netflix-trans-activists-i-said-what-i-said-you-will-not-summon-me/">under fire</a> for jokes from his latest Netflix special &#8220;The Closer,&#8221; during which he defended &#8220;Harry Potter&#8221; author J.K. Rowling, who has been labeled a TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist).
&#8220;They canceled J.K. Rowling – my God,&#8221; Chappelle said. &#8220;Effectually she said gender was a fact, the trans community got mad as (expletive), they started calling her a TERF &#8230; I&#8217;m Team TERF. I agree. I agree, man. Gender is a fact.&#8221;

Dave Chappelle Theatre Dedication Ceremony

‘Epic Night!’: Just Days After One Venue ‘Cancels’ Dave Chappelle, He Surprises Delighted Audience In NYC

Just Days After One Venue 'Cancels' Dave Chappelle, He Surprises Delighted Audience In NYC

Kevin Hart

Fellow comedians have come to Dave Chappelle&#8217;s defense after a Minneapolis theater caved to pressure and canceled his show right before he was to take the stage.
From the people who run the comedy clubs to the ones who entertain, the people <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/comedians-defend-dave-chappelle-wake-canceled-minnesota-show-nobody-censored">Fox News</a> spoke to were all in agreement that what happened to the &#8220;Chappelle&#8217;s Show&#8221; star was wrong, the outlet reported in a piece published Friday.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dave-chappelle-says-alma-mater-theater-wont-be-named-after-him-explains-what-it-will-be-named-instead">48-year-old</a> comedian was about to do a show at the iconic First Avenue concert venue on Wednesday night in Minnesota, but the venue canceled it at the last minute, causing the show to move to another location, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/theater-caves-cancels-dave-chappelle-hours-before-show-we-know-there-are-some-who-will-not-agree-with-this-decision">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported.
At the time, the concert venue released a statement regarding the backlash about the comedian performing there and said it &#8220;worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission.&#8221; The statement also said &#8220;we believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression&#8221; but &#8220;lost sight of the impact this would have.&#8221;
After the show moved, the legendary comedian called the venue&#8217;s actions  &#8220;devastating&#8221; and encouraged his fans to continue supporting the nightclub Prince put on the map, the <a href="https://www.startribune.com/first-avenue-cancels-dave-chappelle-show/600191776/">Star Tribune</a> reported.
&#8220;It&#8217;s an important place for our culture,&#8221; <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dave-chappelle-to-be-honored-by-high-school-alma-mater-after-supporters-outnumber-critics-in-fundraising-challenge-report">Chappelle</a> shared.
Comedian Natalie Cuomo told Fox News, &#8220;nobody should be censored&#8221; and people should be able to speak freely, especially once they have already been booked to perform.
&#8220;The venue already knew,&#8221; she added. &#8220;It&#8217;s not like he released something new after they booked them. This was already on Netflix. This was already accessible to the public. And canceling a show last minute like that is pretty unacceptable to me.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s okay to limit what people say. I think there needs to always be a space for whatever your beliefs are,&#8221; Cuomo continued. &#8220;Nobody should be censored. I don&#8217;t think Dave Chappelle was ever encouraging violence in any capacity, and for anyone to say that is a gross exaggeration.&#8221;
Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada told the outlet that the &#8220;comic stage is their sanctuary. We have to protect the First Amendment. We can&#8217;t dilute it. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves.&#8221;
The owner of Stand Up New York, Dani Zoldan, called the canceling of Dave&#8217;s show a &#8220;dangerous precedent.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t feel like it&#8217;s right that people can tell other people what they can and cannot say,&#8221; the owner shared. &#8220;If people don&#8217;t want to support him … if people are offended by some of his transgender jokes, they don&#8217;t have to support him. They don&#8217;t have to watch the Netflix special. They don&#8217;t have to buy tickets to their show.&#8221;
&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to be censored as a comedian. I say some ridiculous things on stage, that&#8217;s hilarious, that may make you think, but what it also does is teaches you that I&#8217;m a human being,&#8221; transgender comedian Flame Monroe told the outlet.
&#8220;It&#8217;s not about race, or color or size or gender, it&#8217;s about money. You don&#8217;t want to make money,&#8221; Monroe shared, adding that comedians &#8220;don&#8217;t want to spew anger and hate and bitterness. You want people to laugh.&#8221;

‘Nobody Should Be Censored’: Comedians Defend Chappelle After Theater Caves, Cancels His Show

'Nobody Should Be Censored': Comedians Defend Chappelle After Theater Caves, Cancels His Show

Woke Culture

Iconic music venue First Avenue caved to <a href="https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/first-avenue-cancels-chappelle-show-after-backlash-issues-apology/">backlash</a> on Thursday, canceling comedian <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dave-chappelle">Dave Chappelle</a>&#8216;s show hours before his performance was slated to start.
The venue, located in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/minnesota">Minnesota</a>, has reportedly been receiving backlash for planning to host Chappelle. The comedian leans Left, but has refused to play the politically correct game with his material, specifically when it comes to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/videos/what-is-a-woman?hsa_ver=3&amp;hsa_ad=601397183885&amp;hsa_acc=6411461344&amp;hsa_grp=138191773918&amp;hsa_cam=16696131986&amp;utm_campaign=wiaw&amp;utm_campaign=dw_conversions_subscriptions_wiaw_na&amp;utm_medium=paid&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;cid=wiaw&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;mid=g&amp;utm_term=matt%20walsh%20what%20is%20a%20woman&amp;hsa_mt=p&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwz96WBhC8ARIsAATR252fdyu9PmLo_GDvE4qJvLELQCStE9AP-5ubHgSZ3kHMehlGEm1BanEaAjdKEALw_wcB&amp;utm_content=na_subscriptions&amp;hsa_tgt=kwd-1643521486533&amp;utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_kw=matt%20walsh%20what%20is%20a%20woman&amp;xid=0">radical gender theory</a>.
&#8220;We hear you,&#8221; First Avenue posted via social media on Thursday evening. &#8220;The Dave Chappelle show tonight at First Avenue has been canceled and is moving to the Varsity Theater,&#8221; the statement said, adding apologies to staffers.
“We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down,&#8221; the venue continued. &#8220;We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls.”
&#8220;The First Avenue team and you have worked hard to make our venues the safest spaces in the country, and we will continue with that mission,&#8221; the statement said.
“We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honoring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have,” the theater added. “We know there are some who will not agree with this decision; you are welcome to send feedback.”
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We hear you. Tonight’s show has been cancelled at First Avenue and is moving to the Varsity Theater. See our full statement for more. <a href="https://t.co/tkf7rz0cc7">pic.twitter.com/tkf7rz0cc7</a>
&mdash; First Avenue (@FirstAvenue) <a href="https://twitter.com/FirstAvenue/status/1549866287572160512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/they-were-instruments-of-oppression-netflix-releases-dave-chappelles-speech-discussing-critics-who-claimed-his-jokes-were-transphobic">‘They Were Instruments Of Oppression’: Netflix Releases Dave Chappelle’s Speech Discussing Critics Who Claimed His Jokes Were Transphobic</a>

Dave Chappelle-2

Theater Caves, Cancels Dave Chappelle Hours Before Show: ‘We Know There Are Some Who Will Not Agree With This Decision’

Dave Chappelle Canceled By First Avenue Theater Hours Before Show

Jak Knight, a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/comedy">stand-up comic</a> poised for stardom after co-creating and starring in the new Peacock series “Bust Down,” died Thursday night at the age of 28.
The up-and-coming star’s death stunned the close-knit comedy community, with members calling him a “phenom” who was “unapologetically hilarious.” Knight’s family announced his death in Los Angeles through a representative, but no details were forthcoming.
“Knight’s loved ones ask that their privacy please be respected during this extremely difficult time,” the rep said.
Knight was a rising talent on the brink of a breakout. After writing for hit shows including the Netflix comedy “Big Mouth” and working on ABC’s “Black-ish,” Knight took on an all-encompassing role in “Bust Down.” The show, which debuted in March, co-stars Chris Redd, Sam Jay, and Langston Kerman as  four friends who work at a casino in Gary, Indiana.
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one of my favorite Jak Knight jokes 
RIP to a future legend 🙏🏾 <a href="https://t.co/GDPQTkdkc5">pic.twitter.com/GDPQTkdkc5</a>
&mdash; Malibussy (@MalibuJones_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalibuJones_/status/1548132730054905856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Seattle native also did stand-up comedy and appeared on a 2018 Netflix special. In an interview that year with <a href="https://respect-mag.com/2018/10/respect-interview-jak-knight-talks-his-appearance-on-the-comedy-lineup-for-netflix-his-character-on-big-mouth-more/">Respect</a>, Knight said he was inspired to be a comic by Dave Chappelle, who he would eventually open for on tour.
In the same interview, he raved about writing for “Big Mouth” and voicing the character of DeVon.
“Being a writer is amazing and just being in the room with some of the most brilliant people alive, and I get to sit across the table with people like Jordan Peele and Maya Rudolph,” he said. “It’s surreal but it’s a lot of work, work.”
Tributes poured in Friday for the young comedian.
“We are devastated by the passing of Jak Knight,” read a joint statement from Knight’s “Bust Down” team and Universal Television. “He was a brilliant comedian, visionary and artist and we were all lucky to experience his greatness. Our hearts are with Jak’s family, friends and community during this heartbreaking time.”
Comedy Central tweeted that Knight was “a hysterical and honest comedian. We will miss him tremendously.”
Rapper FlyLo called Knight “unapologetically bold and hilarious.”
“A phenom,” <a href="https://twitter.com/EddieDellaSiepe/status/1548094278076772354?s=20&amp;t=mxKq-lUk4kTgH62uDn1q0w">tweeted Eddie Della Siepe</a>. “An incredible talent and more importantly a great guy.”

Bust Down – Season 1

Young Stand-Up Star’s Sudden Death Stuns Comedy World

Death Of Young Stand-Up Star Jan Knight Stuns Comedy World

Netflix released a new special with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dave-chappelle">Dave Chappelle</a> Thursday that included a speech he gave about critics who claimed he told <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/transgender">transphobic</a> jokes.
“What’s In a Name?” wasn’t announced but it’s already making waves. The speech took place at Chappelle’s alma mater, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c">Washington, D.C</a>. During the conversation, Chappelle addressed the controversy and backlash.
“All the kids were screaming and yelling. I remember, I said to the kids, I go, ‘Well, okay, well what do you guys think I did wrong?’ And a line formed. These kids said everything about gender, and this and that and the other, but they didn’t say anything about art,” Chappelle said, per <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/dave-chappelle-netflix-speech-whats-in-a-name-1235311467/">Variety</a>. 
“And this is my biggest gripe with this whole controversy with ‘The Closer’: That you cannot report on an artist’s work and remove artistic nuance from his words. It would be like if you were reading a newspaper and they say, ‘Man Shot in the Face by a Six-Foot Rabbit Expected to Survive,’ you’d be like, ‘Oh my god,’ and they never tell you it’s a Bugs Bunny cartoon.”
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/comedy">comedian</a> described how the student criticism affected him personally. 
“When I heard those talking points coming out of these children’s faces, that really, sincerely, hurt me,” Chappelle continued. “Because I know those kids didn’t come up with those words. I’ve heard those words before. The more you say I can’t say something, the more urgent it is for me to say it.” 
“And it has nothing to do with what you’re saying I can’t say. It has everything to do with my right, my freedom, of artistic expression,” he continued. “That is valuable to me. That is not severed from me. It’s worth protecting for me, and it’s worth protecting for everyone else who endeavors in our noble, noble professions.”
“And these kids didn’t understand that they were instruments of oppression. And I didn’t get mad at them,” Chappelle concluded. “They’re kids. They’re freshmen. They’re not ready yet. They don’t know.”
The 48-year-old comedian was annihilated by critics in October following the release of his comedy special, “The Closer.” In it, Chappelle pokes fun at radical gender theory and sticks up for J.K. Rowling.
&#8220;Gender is a fact,” Chappelle <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gender-is-a-fact-dave-chappelle-bucks-the-left-on-gender-defends-j-k-rowling-in-new-special">said in part</a> during the special. “Every human being in this room, every human being on Earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on Earth. That is a fact. Now, I am not saying that to say trans women aren’t women, I am just saying that those p*****s that they got … you know what I mean? I’m not saying it’s not p***y, but it’s Beyond P***y or Impossible P***y.”
“Any of you who have ever watched me know that I have never had a problem with transgender people. If you listen to what I’m saying, clearly, my problem has always been with white people,” Chappelle later joked in “The Closer.”
&nbsp;

Celebrity Sightings : Day Four – Paris Fashion Week – Menswear F/W 2022-2023

‘They Were Instruments Of Oppression’: Netflix Releases Dave Chappelle’s Speech Discussing Critics Who Claimed His Jokes Were Transphobic

Netflix Releases Dave Chappelle’s Speech Discussing Critics Of Transgender Jokes

Netflix

Washington D.C.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dave-chappelle">Dave Chappelle</a>’s neighbors cheered him after Chappelle bought the entire 52-acre lot near his home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, to block a proposed 140-home development.
The amount Chappelle, who is estimated to be worth $60 million, paid for the area is undisclosed.
“I have confirmation that Dave Chappelle bought the entire lot. We are talking about all the 52 acres,” village manager Josue Salmeron <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10973297/Dave-Chappelle-spotted-Yellow-Springs-Ohio-blocking-housing-development.html">told</a> the Daily Mail. “To me it is clear, the project isn&#8217;t going forward. The developers will not be building on that land.”
“Signs proclaiming &#8216;Thanks Dave!&#8217; now festoon several properties near the site, which is comprised of a large open field and acres of woodland in an area that could be comfortably described as pastoral bliss,” the Daily Mail added.
In February, Chappelle <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/you-look-like-clowns-dave-chapelle-slams-local-village-council-considering-building-development-near-his-home/">told</a> the village council where he lives, “You look like clowns,” as he voiced his opposition to the town accepting a developer’s plan to build single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses near his property.
At a town meeting of the Yellow Springs Village Council, Chappelle stated, “I just want to say, and Marianne [council member Marianne MacQueen], I can talk to you about this privately, I don’t know why the village council would be afraid of litigation from a $24 million-a year-company while it kicks out a $65 million-a-year-company. I cannot believe you would make me audition for you;  You look like clowns — I am not bluffing, I will take it all off the table. &#8230; Thank you.”
The $65 million company Chappelle referred to was apparently his company Iron Table Holdings LLC, which bought a local fire station in late 2021 and planned to convert it into a restaurant called “Firehouse Eatery” with an attached comedy club called “Live From YS.”
The $24 million company was apparently the developer Oberer Land Developers, which submitted the proposal for a new housing development valued at roughly $39 million.
“The village and Oberer had worked together to produce a plan that would include duplexes and affordable housing along with single-family homes in a 53-acre area along Spillan Road at the south edge of town,” the Dayton Daily News <a href="https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/video-yellow-springs-votes-no-on-housing-plan-after-chappelle-others-speak-up/WFSD7UXAYVECLOFCZPWU4IV4FE/">reported</a>. “The village initially asked for the development to advance affordable housing in the village, including an area that the village would later be able to develop into affordable housing, as well as more duplexes and townhomes.”
The Daily News stated that the proposed development would have “included 64 single-family homes, 52 duplexes and 24 townhomes with an additional 1.75 acres to be donated to the community for affordable housing to be built later.”
Ultimately, the village council voted 2-2 with one abstention on the proposed development, meaning that the zoning reverts to the previous plan, with 143 single-family homes.
In December, the council held a Zoom meeting to discuss the planned unit development (PUD) proposed by Oberer Land Developers, which had purchased the land in November 2020, prompting the village to annex the land in order to increase its tax base. As the Yellow Springs News <a href="https://ysnews.com/news/2021/12/villagers-voice-concerns-over-oberer-development">reported</a>, Planning Commission member Sarah Sinclair-Amend expressed her concern about the increased traffic, saying, “This is a very narrow road and it was not built to be more than a country road.&#8221;
Chappelle chimed in, “I’ve invested millions of dollars in town. If you push this thing through, what I’m investing in is no longer applicable. I would say that Oberer can buy all of this property from me if they want to be your benefactor because I will no longer want to.&#8221;
He concluded, &#8220;We should use more of a visionary eye instead of a reactionary one because the potential of this place is immense and Oberer is not the only solution.”
“The houses they were going to build were not affordable to the people who live in the village,” Chappelle&#8217;s publicist Carla Sims told the Daily Mail. “It was going to attract interlopers. Dave was trying to make sure that the people that live in Yellow Springs can stay and afford to live in Yellow Springs. This development was not going to do that.”
She continued:
<blockquote>Yellow Springs is a small village, seven blocks left and right and you&#8217;re out of it. It&#8217;s even a little bit of a hippy town. It&#8217;s a unique space and once developers got wind of the culture that Dave was creating in the village, it became apparent they thought, hey, we can make money here.
Dave is not at all against building in Yellow Springs and neither is the community. They want to see development that is aligned with maintaining the culture of the village. Most of the people in the town, you&#8217;ll see, they are older. The majority of that town is 50 years and older. And Dave is trying to encourage younger people to move into the town.
He wants better schools and to bring younger families into the town. This was an arts community, now it&#8217;s turning into a retirement community. Dave wants to restore the art and cultural aspect of the community. And you need young and energetic thinkers to do that.
Dave wants to have a place he can live comfortably. And not have to duck and dive. He is very much a part of the fabric of that community. When the basketball team needed uniforms, he bought the uniforms. He does what&#8217;s needed to support the community and by and large they support him.
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‘Thanks Dave!’ Residents Cheer Chappelle After He Blocks Development, Buys 52-Acre Lot Near His Home

Residents Cheer Dave Chappelle After He Blocks Development, Buys 52-Acre Lot Near His Home

Dave Chappelle announced a change of plans for the theater at his high school alma mater and revealed that it would not be named after him after all — instead it would be called the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.
During the ceremony at the Duke Ellington School of Arts held Monday in Washington, D.C., the 48-year-old comedian reflected on the backlash he faced over his transgender comments in his Netflix special &#8220;The Closer&#8221; and said being told he couldn&#8217;t say something &#8220;has everything to do with my freedom of artistic expression&#8221; — hence the new name for the theater.
In a <a href="https://twitter.com/joshrogin/status/1539059185253482496">Twitter thread</a> from Washington Post Columnist Josh Rogin, he shared that &#8220;Chappelle rejected the criticism from students of his special &#8216;The Closer'&#8221; and said they were just &#8220;repeating someone else&#8217;s agenda.&#8221;
&#8220;These kids didn&#8217;t understand that they were instruments of oppression,&#8221; the comedian told the audience.
Chappelle also slammed the coverage of his special and said that, &#8220;You cannot report on an artist&#8217;s work and remove artistic nuance.&#8221;
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UPDATE: Chappelle is shifting gears &#8230; at tonight&#39;s naming ceremony, he announced he is not placing his name on the Duke Ellington High School theater. <a href="https://t.co/K41JtoxW2V">https://t.co/K41JtoxW2V</a>
&mdash; TMZ (@TMZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/1539068487968202752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;When you say I can&#8217;t say something, the more urgent is it for me to say it,&#8221; Chappelle shared, per Rogin.  &#8220;It has nothing to do with what you are saying I can&#8217;t say. It has everything to do with my freedom of artistic expression.&#8221;
&#8220;I saw in the newspaper that a man who was dressed in women&#8217;s clothing threw a pie at the Mona Lisa and tried to deface it,&#8221; he added. &#8220;And it made me laugh and I thought, it&#8217;s like &#8216;The Closer.'&#8221;
Chappelle concluded his remarks by explaining that he &#8220;didn&#8217;t want any students to see his name on the theater&#8221; and not feel good about it.
&#8220;The idea that my name will be turned into an instrument of someone else&#8217;s perceived oppression is untenable to me,&#8221; the comedian shared.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dave-chappelle-to-be-honored-by-high-school-alma-mater-after-supporters-outnumber-critics-in-fundraising-challenge-report">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported, Dave Chappelle was to be honored by his high school alma mater after supporters reportedly outnumbered critics in a fundraising challenge issued after his transgender jokes drew a backlash against Netflix. The Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington, D.C. issued a statement on its <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DukeEllingtonDC/">Facebook</a> page indicating the school&#8217;s theater would be named after the comedian.
Chappelle was previously heckled by students at the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chappelle-torches-students-to-their-face-at-his-high-school-alma-mater-after-they-get-mouthy-with-him-report">school, who slammed him</a> for comments he made in his special on the streaming site.
The renaming ceremony comes after the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chappelle-starts-challenge-to-decide-if-alma-maters-theater-to-be-named-after-him-shut-the-f-up-if-you-dont-donate">comedian issued a challenge</a> to supporters and critics to donate to his alma mater and said whichever side raised the most money will determine whether or not the theater would be named after him. But, he requested, &#8220;If you don&#8217;t care enough to donate… please shut the f*** up, forever.&#8221;

Dave Chappelle Says Alma Mater Theater Won’t Be Named After Him, Explains What It Will Be Named Instead

Dave Chappelle Says Alma Mater Theater Won't Be Named After Him, Explains What It Will Be Named Instead

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