Netflix has removed Dave Chappelle’s iconic comedy sketch series “Chappelle’s Show” after the comedian requested them to do so.
Chappelle has made multiple specials with Netflix and currently calls the streamer his comedy home. The streamer began streaming his old Comedy Central series on November 1st but then recently pulled it with no reason.
Now, in a near twenty minute Instagram video called “Unforgiven” posted earlier today with a scene from a recent stand-up gig, Chappelle explains what happened and how it ties back to his original ViacomCBS contract and how Netflix did the right thing even though they didn’t have to:
“They (ViacomCBS) didn’t have to pay me because I signed the contract. But is that right? I found out that these people were streaming my work and they never had to ask me or they never have to tell me. Perfectly legal ’cause I signed the contract. But is that right? I didn’t think so either.
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.
That’s why I f— with Netflix. Because they paid me my money, they do what they say they’re going to do and they went above and beyond what you can expect from a businessman. They did something just because they thought that I might think that they were wrong. I do, I think if you are f—ing streaming that show you’re fencing stolen goods. They stole that from me. They just took it. I’m not up here trying to tell you guys that I believe that Comedy Central gave me a raw deal just because I’m Black, I believe they gave me a raw deal because this f—ing industry is a monster.”
“Chappelle’s Show” remains available on several ViacomCBS platforms like Comedy Central and CBS All Access, as well as being licensed out to HBO Max. Chappelle advised his fans to not boycott any network or service, just boycott that show and “do not watch it unless they pay me”.
Source: Instagram