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Dave Chappelle responds to transphobic criticism, takes aim at #MeToo movement in new Netflix special

The comedian, who was criticised for a transphobic rant in his previous special, took aim at Louis C.K. and Kevin Spacey's accusers.

Dave Chappelle standup transphobic metoo

Source: Netflix

For many fans of Dave Chappelle, his deal with Netflix couldn't come soon enough. The comedian released two made-for-Netflix specials on New Year's Eve, Equanimity and The Bird Revelation, adding to the two pre-taped specials released on the streaming service prior.

In the earlier specials, Chappelle was criticised for several jokes that were considered homophobic and, even more so, transphobic.

In The Bird Revelation Chappelle even went so far as to address the backlash from his previous specials, saying "You know who hates me the most? The transgender community.

"I didn't realise how bad it was. These motherf**kers are really mad about that last Netflix special. It's tough man, I don't know what to do about it 'cause I like them. I always have. Never had a problem with them.

"Ya know, just f**kign around. And a matter of fact I think I make fun of everybody, and I mean as a group of people they have to admit... it's kind of f**king hilarious man. I'm sorry bro."
Doubling down on the controversy, Chappelle took aim at the high-profile accusations against Hollywood figures like Louis C.K. and Kevin Spacey, with the comedian seeming to mock the victims who had spoken up.

Referring to those that had come forward against Louis C.K, Chappelle noted, "His allegations were the only ones that made me laugh."

"Show business is just harder than that," Chappelle said in the special, "I know that sounds f**ked up, I'm not supposed to say that, but one of these ladies was like, 'Louis CK was masturbating while I was on the phone with him.'

"B**ch, you don't know how to hang up a phone? How the f**k are you going to survive in show business if this is an actual obstacle to your dreams?"

When it came to Spacey's allegations, Chappelle unleashed on actor Anthony Rapp, the man who which led to about Spacey's sexual misconduct.

"I've been to a lot of parties in my day... Never been to a good one that had 14-year-old boys in it," Chappelle joked regarding Rapp's age when Spacey allegedly made a sexual advance on him, "not even when I was 13, know what I mean?"

Chappelle didn't stop there, saying Rapp "grew up to be gay anyway," followed by, "Kevin Spacey sniffed that sh*t out like a truffle pig.

"Not to victim blame," Chappelle continued, "but it seems like the kind of situation that a gay 14-year-old kid would get himself into.

"I know I shouldn't say that right, but it's true," the 44-year-old comedian said. He then went on to describe young gay kids as "fearless, f**king fearless" before having a crack at Netflix's decision to remove Spacey from one of their flagship shows.

"All jokes aside, Kevin Spacey shouldn't have done that to that kid. He was 14-years-old, and he was forced to carry a grown man's secret for 30 years. He must have been bursting at the seams.

"The saddest part is if he were able to carry that secret for six more months... I would get to know how House of Cards ends.

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3 min read
Published 3 January 2018 12:36pm
Updated 3 January 2018 12:43pm
By Mathew Whitehead


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