Netflix removes Chappelle’s show at the request of Dave Chappelle – Deadline

Dave Chappelle had made it clear that he did not endorse ViacomCBS’s license for his Comedy Central series, Chappelle show, without paying him a cent. The comedian spoke about it during his recent Saturday Night Live monologue, and now he’s done something about it.

In a video, titled unforgiven, which was posted on Instagram this morning, Chappelle says he asked Netflix, where he has a deal for specials, to take Chappelle show, which the broadcaster had obtained a license on a non-exclusive basis, out of service.

Netflix honored Chappelle’s request and deleted the show overnight, a rep for the streamer confirmed to Deadline. The show began airing on Netflix in the United States on November 1. Chappelle show, owned by ViacomCBS, is still available through the company’s Comedy Central and CBS All Access outlets, and has also recently been licensed by HBOMax. Companies that license a program pay the seller who, in principle, must compensate the creators of the show.

“People think I made a lot of money from Chappelle show», Chappelle tells in the video, filmed during a recent stand-up, in which he recalls his career in comedy. “When I left this show, I never got paid. They (ViacomCBS) didn’t have to pay me because I signed the contract. But is it true? I found out that these people were streaming my work and they never had to ask me or never had to tell me. Perfectly legal because I signed the contract. But is it true? I didn’t think so either. That’s why I love working for Netflix. I love working for Netflix because when all these bad things happened to me, this company didn’t even exist. And when I found out they were broadcasting Chappelle show, I was furious. How could they not – how could they not know? So you know what I did? I called them and told them it hurt me. And you want to know what they did? They agreed to remove it from their platform just to make me feel better. That’s why I fuck with Netflix. Because they paid me my money, they do what they say they are going to do and they went above and beyond what you would expect from a businessman. They did something just because they thought I might think they were wrong. And I do – I think if you stream this show, you close the stolen goods. “

Chappelle reiterated his appeal to fans, which he also made on SNL earlier this month. “So I’m not going to the agents, I’m coming to my real boss – I’m coming to you.” I beg you – if you ever love me, if you ever think there was something worthwhile in me, I beg you, don’t watch this show. I’m not asking you to boycott a network – boycott me. Boycott Chappelle show. Don’t watch it unless they pay me.

Chappelle was the co-creator, executive producer and star of Chappelle show, which had a shortened but highly successful run on Comedy Central from 2003-2006.

Netflix has been Chappelle’s home for four years with a deal for specials.