Netflix Removes Dave Chappelle’s Show After Comedian’s Request: Do Not Watch It Unless They Pay Me

Dave Chappelle

Netflix Removes Dave Chappelle’s Show After Comedian’s Request: Do Not Watch It Unless They Pay Me

Netflix has removed “Chapelle’s Show” after comedian Dave Chappelle asked them to do so.

As far as why the removal, Dave Chapelle gave more insight in a nearly 20-minute video he posted to his Instagram with the caption:

“Unforgiven

This is why.”

 

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The video was partial footage from his latest standup comedy special. Throughout the video and during his performance, Dave Chappelle claimed that he received no money following his departure from the ViacomCBS-owned show.

“When I left that show I never got paid.They (ViacomCBS) didn’t have to pay me because I signed the contract.”

Chapelle asked the audience:

“But is that right? I found out that these people were streaming my work and they never had to ask me or they never had to tell me. Perfectly legal ‘cause I signed the contract. But is that right? I didn’t think so either.”

He then talked about why Netflix, decided to pull the episodes:

“That’s why I like working for Netflix. I like working for Netflix because when all those bad things happened to me, that company didn’t even exist. And when I found out they were streaming ‘Chappelle’s Show,’ I was furious. How could they not– how could they not know? So you know what I did? I called them and I told them that this makes me feel bad. And you want to know what they did? They agreed that they would take it off their platform just so I could feel better.”

Before “Chappelle’s Show” was at Comedy Central the comedian said he pitched it to HBO and executives told him:

“What do we need you for?”

Now years later, the company is one of the platforms that stream the show along with Comedy Central, CBS All Access. The series ran for three seasons from 2003 to 2006 and was executive produced, created, and headlined by Chappelle.

Netflix and Dave Chappelle have a strong partnership. He’s currently streaming multiple specials with the platform, which likely played a role in their decision to pull the episodes. Dave currently said he thought about creating another “Chapelle’s Show”, but it would have to go by another name because of the contract. He concluded with a final action message for his fans and supporters.

“Boycott Chappelle Show, Do not watch it unless they pay me….If you’re a shareholder at Viacom, tell them it’s wrong.”

What do you think about Netflix pulling “Chappelle’s Show” and the comedian’s message? Let us know in the comments.