<p>American stand-up comedian&nbsp;Dave Chappelle’s show at 'First Avenue' in Minneapolis, Minnesota was cancelled on Wednesday, just hours before he was set to perform after the club faced backlash for booking the comedian. According to The Hollywood Reporter, First Avenue’s Instagram account posted a statement announcing that Chappelle’s performance would now take place at Varsity Theater, where the star had already been scheduled to perform two sets on both Thursday and Friday.</p>

<p>The club’s apology referenced apparent criticism of the venue for having booked Chappelle, who has been the subject of controversy surrounding jokes about the transgender community in&nbsp;his Netflix special ‘The Closer'. The message from First Avenue's team read, "The Dave Chappelle show tonight at First Avenue has been cancelled and is moving to the Varsity Theater."</p>

<p>It continued, "To staff, artists and our community, we hear you and we are sorry. We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. 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."</p>

<p>The statement added, "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. We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honouring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have."</p>

<p>Varsity Theater posted a statement to Twitter confirming that it will now host Chappelle on Wednesday as well.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"Attention Dave Chappelle Fans! The show scheduled for tonight at First Ave has now been moved to Varsity Theater," it read, in part, as per The Hollywood Reporter. After announcing Chappelle's show earlier this week, First Avenue’s social media was filled with comments in protest of the comedian, though TMZ reported that tickets quickly sold out.</p>

<p>Chappelle has defended his jokes by touting artistic expression, doubling down in a recent speech at his alma mater released by Netflix. During the speech, titled ‘What's in a Name?’, Chappelle announced that he had decided against having a theatre named after him at the school. Instead, he opted to call it the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression.</p>

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American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle’s show at 'First Avenue' in Minneapolis, Minnesota was cancelled on Wednesday, just hours before he was set to perform after the club faced backlash for booking the comedian.

American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle’s show at 'First Avenue' in Minneapolis, Minnesota was cancelled on Wednesday, just hours before he was set to perform after the club faced backlash for booking the comedian. According to The Hollywood Reporter, First Avenue’s Instagram account posted a statement announcing that Chappelle’s performance would now take place at Varsity Theater, where the star had already been scheduled to perform two sets on both Thursday and Friday. The club’s apology referenced apparent criticism of the venue for having booked Chappelle, who has been the subject of controversy surrounding jokes about the transgender community in his Netflix special ‘The Closer'. The message from First Avenue's team read, "The Dave Chappelle show tonight at First Avenue has been cancelled and is moving to the Varsity Theater." It continued, "To staff, artists and our community, we hear you and we are sorry. We know we must hold ourselves to the highest standards, and we know we let you down. 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 statement added, "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. We believe in diverse voices and the freedom of artistic expression, but in honouring that, we lost sight of the impact this would have." Varsity Theater posted a statement to Twitter confirming that it will now host Chappelle on Wednesday as well. Also Read: 'Mike' trailer: Hulu miniseries tackles the complicated legacy of legendary boxer Mike Tyson "Attention Dave Chappelle Fans! The show scheduled for tonight at First Ave has now been moved to Varsity Theater," it read, in part, as per The Hollywood Reporter. After announcing Chappelle's show earlier this week, First Avenue’s social media was filled with comments in protest of the comedian, though TMZ reported that tickets quickly sold out. Chappelle has defended his jokes by touting artistic expression, doubling down in a recent speech at his alma mater released by Netflix. During the speech, titled ‘What's in a Name?’, Chappelle announced that he had decided against having a theatre named after him at the school. Instead, he opted to call it the Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression. Also Read: 'Bridgerton' announces production of season 3 with new cast video, watch

Dave Chappelle's Minneapolis show dropped by venue after facing criticism

<p>A 23-year-old man accused of tackling comedian<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/la-prosecutors-will-not-bring-felony-charges-for-attack-on-comedian-chappelle-476715"> Dave Chappelle</a> to the stage floor during a performance pleaded not guilty on Friday to four misdemeanour counts and was told to stay away from the celebrity.<br />
<br />
During a brief hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, a judge ordered the suspect, Isaiah Lee, held on $30,000 bail pending further proceedings later this month, local media reported.<br />
<br />
The judge ordered Lee to stay at least 100 yards away from Chappelle, 48, if he was released on bond, local media said.</p>

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<br />
A spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney`s office, which filed the charges, could not immediately be reached for comment. A public defender representing Lee also could not be reached for comment.<br />
<br />
Lee was charged with misdemeanour battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault and two other misdemeanours. The office of Los Angeles<br />
District Attorney George Gascon declined to charge him because the conduct did not meet the standards of a felony, a spokesman for Gascon said.<br />
<br />
Under California law, a misdemeanour carries a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. In Los Angeles, the city attorney prosecutes misdemeanours while the district attorney is responsible for felony cases.</p>

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<br />
Police say Chappelle was performing at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday when Lee rushed at the comedian, knocking him to the ground. Lee was subdued near the back of the stage as he sought to flee.<br />
<br />
Chappelle returned to the stage after a short break and went on with the show, ad-libbing jokes about the incident. He did not appear to be injured.<br />
<br />
The comedian`s representatives said on Wednesday that he was fully cooperating with the police investigation.</p>


A 23-year-old man accused of tackling comedian Dave Chappelle to the stage floor during a performance pleaded not guilty on Friday to four misdemeanour counts and was told to stay away from the celebrity.

A 23-year-old man accused of tackling comedian Dave Chappelle to the stage floor during a performance pleaded not guilty on Friday to four misdemeanour counts and was told to stay away from the celebrity. During a brief hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, a judge ordered the suspect, Isaiah Lee, held on $30,000 bail pending further proceedings later this month, local media reported. The judge ordered Lee to stay at least 100 yards away from Chappelle, 48, if he was released on bond, local media said. Watch: 'Fauda' star Tsahi Halevi breaks into Bollywood song to celebrate India-Israel ties A spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney`s office, which filed the charges, could not immediately be reached for comment. A public defender representing Lee also could not be reached for comment. Lee was charged with misdemeanour battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault and two other misdemeanours. The office of Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon declined to charge him because the conduct did not meet the standards of a felony, a spokesman for Gascon said. Under California law, a misdemeanour carries a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. In Los Angeles, the city attorney prosecutes misdemeanours while the district attorney is responsible for felony cases. Beyonce receives first ever Daytime Emmy Award nomination Police say Chappelle was performing at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday when Lee rushed at the comedian, knocking him to the ground. Lee was subdued near the back of the stage as he sought to flee. Chappelle returned to the stage after a short break and went on with the show, ad-libbing jokes about the incident. He did not appear to be injured. The comedian`s representatives said on Wednesday that he was fully cooperating with the police investigation.

Suspect in attack on comic Dave Chappelle pleads not guilty

<p>Comedian <a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/lifestyle/news-dave-chappelle-isn%E2%80%99t-cancelled-he-just-likes-to-talk-about-it-421280">Dave Chappelle</a> is willing to have a conversation with Netflix employees after he faced backlash for the transphobic comments he made during his new special, 'The Closer'.<br />
<br />
In a statement with People, Dave's representative shared that he was open to a dialogue with the streaming <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/netflix-accused-of-firing-black-trans-woman-for-opposing-dave-chappelle-421351">platform's employees</a> who have protested against his show.<br />
<br />
"Dave stands by his Art. Both sides of the street are talking and Dave is listening. At some point, when everyone is open, I'm sure our communities will come together,'' his&nbsp;representative said.</p>

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<br />
However, Transgender activist Ashlee Marie Preston, who organized the employee walk-out and protest, claimed that Chappelle was invited to participate in a conversation, &nbsp;but he did not show up.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Dave Chappelle was not ‘cancelled.’ He’s been invited to the table for transformative dialogue but won’t show up,” Ashlee wrote on Twitter. “That’s not ‘cancel culture,’ but avoidance of accountability. He’s no victim. The man is worth $50M. Unlike many trans people, his comedy stigmatizes— he’ll live.” Chappelle's rep denied that Preston reached out to Dave, adding that the comedian is open to a dialogue with any group.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
This all started after Chappelle made several jokes during the show, that targeted the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people.</p>


Comedian Dave Chappelle is willing to have a conversation with Netflix employees after he faced backlash for the transphobic comments he made during his new special, 'The Closer'.

Comedian Dave Chappelle is willing to have a conversation with Netflix employees after he faced backlash for the transphobic comments he made during his new special, 'The Closer'. In a statement with People, Dave's representative shared that he was open to a dialogue with the streaming platform's employees who have protested against his show. "Dave stands by his Art. Both sides of the street are talking and Dave is listening. At some point, when everyone is open, I'm sure our communities will come together,'' his representative said. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne's love story biopic in the works! However, Transgender activist Ashlee Marie Preston, who organized the employee walk-out and protest, claimed that Chappelle was invited to participate in a conversation, but he did not show up. Dave Chappelle was not ‘cancelled.’ He’s been invited to the table for transformative dialogue but won’t show up,” Ashlee wrote on Twitter. “That’s not ‘cancel culture,’ but avoidance of accountability. He’s no victim. The man is worth $50M. Unlike many trans people, his comedy stigmatizes— he’ll live.” Chappelle's rep denied that Preston reached out to Dave, adding that the comedian is open to a dialogue with any group. This all started after Chappelle made several jokes during the show, that targeted the LGBTQ community, particularly transgender people.

Dave Chappelle is 'open' to a conversation with Netflix employees, comedian rep says

<p>'Schitt's Creek' star Dan Levy has extended his support to Netflix employees who staged a walkout to protest against Dave Chappelle's latest comedy special 'The Closer'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Taking to Instagram, Dan posted a statement that read, "I stand with every employee at Netflix using their voice to ensure a safe and supportive work environment. I have seen firsthand how vital television can be when it comes to influencing cultural conversation. That impact is real and works both ways: positively and negatively."<br />
<br />
Employees of Netflix staged a walkout in Los Angeles on Wednesday in protest of 'The Closer'`, in which Chappelle apparently made remarks that some viewed as offensive to the transgender community.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netflix-accused-of-firing-black-trans-woman-for-opposing-dave-chappelle-421351">Netflix accused of firing Black, trans woman for opposing Dave Chappelle</a><br />
<br />
Talking about the ongoing controversy, Dan, who came out as a gay man when he was 18 years old, further said, "Transphobia is unacceptable and harmful. That is not a debate."</p>

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<p>LGBTQ celebrity Elliot Page also expressed solidarity.<br />
<br />
"I stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace," Page tweeted.</p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/netflix-workers-stage-walk-out-over-dave-chappelle-transgender-comments-422463">Netflix workers stage walk-out over Dave Chappelle transgender comments</a><br />
<br />
In addition to the walkout, the demonstrators have created a list of asks for the company, including, "create a new fund to specifically develop trans and non-binary talent," "increase investment in trans and non-binary content on Netflix comparable to our total investment in transphobic content" and "invest in multiple trans creators to make both scripted and unscripted programs across genres."&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-desi-fans-go-crazy-after-paul-rudd-dan-levy-are-spotted-eating-indian-food-together-402387">Desi fans go crazy after Paul Rudd, Dan Levy are spotted eating Indian food together</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-dave-chappelle-isn%E2%80%99t-cancelled-he-just-likes-to-talk-about-it-421280">Dave Chappelle isn’t cancelled. He just likes to talk about it</a></p>


'Schitt's Creek' star Dan Levy has extended his support to Netflix employees who staged a walkout to protest against Dave Chappelle's latest comedy special 'The Closer'.

'Schitt's Creek' star Dan Levy has extended his support to Netflix employees who staged a walkout to protest against Dave Chappelle's latest comedy special 'The Closer'. Taking to Instagram, Dan posted a statement that read, "I stand with every employee at Netflix using their voice to ensure a safe and supportive work environment. I have seen firsthand how vital television can be when it comes to influencing cultural conversation. That impact is real and works both ways: positively and negatively." Employees of Netflix staged a walkout in Los Angeles on Wednesday in protest of 'The Closer'`, in which Chappelle apparently made remarks that some viewed as offensive to the transgender community. Netflix accused of firing Black, trans woman for opposing Dave Chappelle Talking about the ongoing controversy, Dan, who came out as a gay man when he was 18 years old, further said, "Transphobia is unacceptable and harmful. That is not a debate." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dan Levy (@instadanjlevy) × LGBTQ celebrity Elliot Page also expressed solidarity. "I stand with the trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC employees at Netflix fighting for more and better trans stories and a more inclusive workplace," Page tweeted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @elliotpage × Netflix workers stage walk-out over Dave Chappelle transgender comments In addition to the walkout, the demonstrators have created a list of asks for the company, including, "create a new fund to specifically develop trans and non-binary talent," "increase investment in trans and non-binary content on Netflix comparable to our total investment in transphobic content" and "invest in multiple trans creators to make both scripted and unscripted programs across genres." Desi fans go crazy after Paul Rudd, Dan Levy are spotted eating Indian food together Dave Chappelle isn’t cancelled. He just likes to talk about it

'Schitt's Creek' star Dan Levy, Elliot Page extend support to Netflix's Trans Employee Walkout

<p>Netflix is in the spotlight once again and this time it is the accusation of firing a trans activist for staging a protest against a stand-up comedy special.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>A new stand-up comedy special by Dave Chappelle was released on the streaming platform, Netflix. His special, however, gained negative limelight as it was accused of being transphobic.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>An employee from the streaming platform staged a walkout against the show and claims she was fired for it. However, Netflix has rubbished these reports and has claimed that the employee has lied about her dismissal.</p>

<p><o:p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-dave-chappelle-isn%E2%80%99t-cancelled-he-just-likes-to-talk-about-it-421280">Dave Chappelle isn’t cancelled. He just likes to talk about it</a></strong></o:p></p>

<p>Netflix claims the employee was fired for sharing confidential and "commercially sensitive" information with people outside the company.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>"We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with&nbsp;Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company," the spokesperson said.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Many people, however, reported that the employee, who is reportedly a Black trans person, was fired for opposing the Netflix special show. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Dave Chapelle’s special show has been receiving backlash from the public, especially the LGBTQ community. People have alleged that the comedian has made series of anti-trans jokes, targeted on gender-neutral pronouns and the genitalia of transgender people. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p>This is not the first time the comedian has been alleged of this. In some of his previous stand-up comedy specials, too, he has been alleged of making similar attacks on the community.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p>The employee, who is pregnant at the moment, had openly criticised the comedian for attacking the community. This employee was, as per reports, responsible for staging a virtual walk-out of nearly 1,000 employees.<o:p></o:p></p>


Netflix is in the spotlight once again and this time it is the accusation of firing a trans activist for staging a protest against a stand-up comedy special. A new stand-up comedy special by Dave Chappelle was released on the streaming platform, Netflix.

Netflix is in the spotlight once again and this time it is the accusation of firing a trans activist for staging a protest against a stand-up comedy special. A new stand-up comedy special by Dave Chappelle was released on the streaming platform, Netflix. His special, however, gained negative limelight as it was accused of being transphobic. An employee from the streaming platform staged a walkout against the show and claims she was fired for it. However, Netflix has rubbished these reports and has claimed that the employee has lied about her dismissal. Also read | Dave Chappelle isn’t cancelled. He just likes to talk about it Netflix claims the employee was fired for sharing confidential and "commercially sensitive" information with people outside the company. "We understand this employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company," the spokesperson said. Many people, however, reported that the employee, who is reportedly a Black trans person, was fired for opposing the Netflix special show. Dave Chapelle’s special show has been receiving backlash from the public, especially the LGBTQ community. People have alleged that the comedian has made series of anti-trans jokes, targeted on gender-neutral pronouns and the genitalia of transgender people. This is not the first time the comedian has been alleged of this. In some of his previous stand-up comedy specials, too, he has been alleged of making similar attacks on the community. The employee, who is pregnant at the moment, had openly criticised the comedian for attacking the community. This employee was, as per reports, responsible for staging a virtual walk-out of nearly 1,000 employees.

Netflix accused of firing Black, trans woman for opposing Dave Chappelle

<p>The first time Dave Chappelle wanted to quit a TV show, he didn’t do it. After shooting the pilot of his soon-to-be-forgotten 1996 ABC sitcom, “Buddies,” an amiable comedy about an interracial friendship, the network fired his co-star Jim Breuer, which led Chappelle to tell his manager he wanted to quit.<br />
He was talked out of it, and the show got poor reviews and was canceled after five episodes. When I interviewed one of the co-creators, Matt Williams, several years ago for an e-book about Chappelle, he told me he wished he had built more conflict between the leads. “Then you could capitalize on the charisma of Chappelle,” he said. “But he was different then. He was impish. He was playful, innocent. No danger.”</p>

<p><br />
As controversy boils over Chappelle’s latest special, “The Closer,” I have been thinking about what lessons he might have learned from this early failure. At Comedy Central, he famously did quit and returned with a new mystique. In his current incarnation, he leans hard into conflict, and part of his enduring popularity is his ability to manufacture a sense of danger.</p>

<p><br />
In his last special, “Stick and Stones,” Chappelle took aim at the audience and cancel culture, made many jokes about transgender people and defended Kevin Hart, who had lost the job of hosting the Oscars because of protests over old homophobic tweets. Chappelle earned backlash, negative reviews and the sympathies of the right-wing media, which has become invested in issues of comedy and free speech in the Trump era.</p>

<p><br />
OK, so what did Chappelle do for his next act? Take aim at cancel culture, mock trans people and bring up the same trans friend he mentioned in the last special. By the time he defends Hart again (even if losing the Oscars was the worst injustice known to man, does it deserve two specials’ worth of protest?), you might be feeling a sense of déjà vu.</p>

<p><br />
A few days before “The Closer” premiered, Chappelle predicted he would be canceled; a few days later, he appeared at the Hollywood Bowl at the premiere of his new documentary and talked again about being canceled. The fact that no one thinks Chappelle will be canceled, whatever that means to you, is beside the point.</p>

<p><br />
This rollout was a performance of danger. Of course, what is dangerous is an open question. “The Closer” courts outrage with dopey attacks on #MeToo and jokes linking Asian people to COVID-19, but mostly with the subject he has been fixated on for years: transgender people.</p>

<p><br />
When Jaclyn Moore, a showrunner for the Netflix series “Dear White People,” announced she would no longer work with the company while it produces “dangerously transphobic content,” the statement was a reference to the number of hate crimes against transgender people and the statistics about mental health and suicide.</p>

<p><br />
There is a tendency these days to quickly conflate language and violence in discussions about controversial art, especially comedy. A punchline, even an offensive one, is not the same as a punch. And yet, it’s hard to imagine that anyone who has attended middle school (or seen a Martin Scorsese film) would not understand that jokes can contribute to a culture of bullying and abuse.</p>

<p><br />
In defending Chappelle, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, waded into the issue of the consequences of cruel jokes by arguing that he doesn’t believe there is a relationship between art and harm. It’s a rickety platform to stand on when your company consistently puts out work that hopes to raise awareness, increase representation or move the culture. If art can do good for the world, then isn’t it possible the reverse could be true?</p>

<p><br />
The fallout from “The Closer” is in some ways the most interesting thing about the special. A group of trans employees has planned a walkout Wednesday to protest. And anger within Netflix led to a rare and fascinating leak of internal viewing numbers, revealing just how little we understand success in the era of minimal transparency by entertainment companies. According to Bloomberg, based on Netflix’s measurement of efficiency, which balances a show’s reach with its price tag, Bo Burnham’s “Inside” (which earned the comic $3.9 million) performed significantly better than “The Closer” (which cost $24.1 million).</p>

<p><br />
Chappelle remains a gifted yarn-spinner who shifts from gravitas to irreverence as deftly as anyone. But judged purely by originality and construction of jokes, he’s a star in decline. There are some startlingly hack jokes, like a well-worn one about Mike Pence’s sexuality, and others about pedophilia and COVID-19 that badly need the shock of offensiveness to make an impact.</p>

<p><br />
Why has he been so fixated on transgender people for so many years now? It may be that he believes deeply that gender is a fact. Maybe he passionately wants to let us know he’s “Team TERF,” as he says in “The Closer” — an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist. Neither of those points come with punchlines. It could also be that he sees pushing these hot buttons as the easiest way to make a big fuss.</p>

<p><br />
One of the major developments in comedy over the past decade has been the rise of comics animated by opposition to left-wing dogma and cancel culture. I have seen struggling comics boost their careers by pivoting right — or, more precisely, anti-left. There’s no question that there is a market for it. While he has lost some fans, Chappelle is a hero to this group now. In middle age, Chappelle acts less like a comic and more like a pundit. He’s far more comfortable than most of his peers in going long stretches without jokes. His recent monologues about George Floyd and the way streaming services have not compensated him for showing his sketch show were both righteous and largely without humor.</p>

<p><br />
In 2006, after he left “Chappelle’s Show,” which made better arguments that jokes should be able to punch in any direction than anything he says in these specials, he proclaimed in an interview, “I feel like I’m going to be some kind of parable.” Then he said he was going to be either a legend or a tragic story.<br />
Give Chappelle credit for this: In a climate in which people seem to get more excited about culture wars than culture, he has figured out a way to be both.</p>

<p><br />
Still, I suspect the long-term effect of the last few specials will not flatter his reputation. Comedy moves fast. And right now, there are more funny transgender stand-ups getting hours ready at comedy shows than ever before. The legacy of “The Closer” might be less in the jokes it makes than in the ones it inspires.</p>


The first time Dave Chappelle wanted to quit a TV show, he didn’t do it. After shooting the pilot of his soon-to-be-forgotten 1996 ABC sitcom, “Buddies,” an amiable comedy about an interracial friendship, the network fired his co-star Jim Breuer, which led Chappelle to tell his manager he wanted to quit.

The first time Dave Chappelle wanted to quit a TV show, he didn’t do it. After shooting the pilot of his soon-to-be-forgotten 1996 ABC sitcom, “Buddies,” an amiable comedy about an interracial friendship, the network fired his co-star Jim Breuer, which led Chappelle to tell his manager he wanted to quit. He was talked out of it, and the show got poor reviews and was canceled after five episodes. When I interviewed one of the co-creators, Matt Williams, several years ago for an e-book about Chappelle, he told me he wished he had built more conflict between the leads. “Then you could capitalize on the charisma of Chappelle,” he said. “But he was different then. He was impish. He was playful, innocent. No danger.” As controversy boils over Chappelle’s latest special, “The Closer,” I have been thinking about what lessons he might have learned from this early failure. At Comedy Central, he famously did quit and returned with a new mystique. In his current incarnation, he leans hard into conflict, and part of his enduring popularity is his ability to manufacture a sense of danger. In his last special, “Stick and Stones,” Chappelle took aim at the audience and cancel culture, made many jokes about transgender people and defended Kevin Hart, who had lost the job of hosting the Oscars because of protests over old homophobic tweets. Chappelle earned backlash, negative reviews and the sympathies of the right-wing media, which has become invested in issues of comedy and free speech in the Trump era. OK, so what did Chappelle do for his next act? Take aim at cancel culture, mock trans people and bring up the same trans friend he mentioned in the last special. By the time he defends Hart again (even if losing the Oscars was the worst injustice known to man, does it deserve two specials’ worth of protest?), you might be feeling a sense of déjà vu. A few days before “The Closer” premiered, Chappelle predicted he would be canceled; a few days later, he appeared at the Hollywood Bowl at the premiere of his new documentary and talked again about being canceled. The fact that no one thinks Chappelle will be canceled, whatever that means to you, is beside the point. This rollout was a performance of danger. Of course, what is dangerous is an open question. “The Closer” courts outrage with dopey attacks on #MeToo and jokes linking Asian people to COVID-19, but mostly with the subject he has been fixated on for years: transgender people. When Jaclyn Moore, a showrunner for the Netflix series “Dear White People,” announced she would no longer work with the company while it produces “dangerously transphobic content,” the statement was a reference to the number of hate crimes against transgender people and the statistics about mental health and suicide. There is a tendency these days to quickly conflate language and violence in discussions about controversial art, especially comedy. A punchline, even an offensive one, is not the same as a punch. And yet, it’s hard to imagine that anyone who has attended middle school (or seen a Martin Scorsese film) would not understand that jokes can contribute to a culture of bullying and abuse. In defending Chappelle, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, waded into the issue of the consequences of cruel jokes by arguing that he doesn’t believe there is a relationship between art and harm. It’s a rickety platform to stand on when your company consistently puts out work that hopes to raise awareness, increase representation or move the culture. If art can do good for the world, then isn’t it possible the reverse could be true? The fallout from “The Closer” is in some ways the most interesting thing about the special. A group of trans employees has planned a walkout Wednesday to protest. And anger within Netflix led to a rare and fascinating leak of internal viewing numbers, revealing just how little we understand success in the era of minimal transparency by entertainment companies. According to Bloomberg, based on Netflix’s measurement of efficiency, which balances a show’s reach with its price tag, Bo Burnham’s “Inside” (which earned the comic $3.9 million) performed significantly better than “The Closer” (which cost $24.1 million). Chappelle remains a gifted yarn-spinner who shifts from gravitas to irreverence as deftly as anyone. But judged purely by originality and construction of jokes, he’s a star in decline. There are some startlingly hack jokes, like a well-worn one about Mike Pence’s sexuality, and others about pedophilia and COVID-19 that badly need the shock of offensiveness to make an impact. Why has he been so fixated on transgender people for so many years now? It may be that he believes deeply that gender is a fact. Maybe he passionately wants to let us know he’s “Team TERF,” as he says in “The Closer” — an acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist. Neither of those points come with punchlines. It could also be that he sees pushing these hot buttons as the easiest way to make a big fuss. One of the major developments in comedy over the past decade has been the rise of comics animated by opposition to left-wing dogma and cancel culture. I have seen struggling comics boost their careers by pivoting right — or, more precisely, anti-left. There’s no question that there is a market for it. While he has lost some fans, Chappelle is a hero to this group now. In middle age, Chappelle acts less like a comic and more like a pundit. He’s far more comfortable than most of his peers in going long stretches without jokes. His recent monologues about George Floyd and the way streaming services have not compensated him for showing his sketch show were both righteous and largely without humor. In 2006, after he left “Chappelle’s Show,” which made better arguments that jokes should be able to punch in any direction than anything he says in these specials, he proclaimed in an interview, “I feel like I’m going to be some kind of parable.” Then he said he was going to be either a legend or a tragic story. Give Chappelle credit for this: In a climate in which people seem to get more excited about culture wars than culture, he has figured out a way to be both. Still, I suspect the long-term effect of the last few specials will not flatter his reputation. Comedy moves fast. And right now, there are more funny transgender stand-ups getting hours ready at comedy shows than ever before. The legacy of “The Closer” might be less in the jokes it makes than in the ones it inspires.

Dave Chappelle isn’t cancelled. He just likes to talk about it