Dave Chappelle Cancelled

I didn't want to believe it. Did the man whom I beheld with my own two reddish-brown eyes as he proudly accepted the Mark Twain prize for tens of millions of viewers really fall victim to the unerring Cancel Culture? It can't be true. I've got to see this for myself. And what better place to find the truth than the almighty internet.

It took no time at all to find Chappelle's latest project Unforgiven on Instagram with currently more than 4-million views. In the 18 minutes and 33 seconds in which Dave graces the stage, it's instantly apparent that this special hits a little different than all the rest as he levels with his audience like never before; sharing personal accounts of situations in his life where he was taught to "never come between a man and his meal," and the time he realized some people will ask to borrow a joke from you but if you demand to have it back they can decide to "just take it".

These recounted events turn out to be the perfect leadup to Chappelle's ultimate punchline near the close of the show where he decides he's "not going to the agents," and instead reveals, "I'm coming to my real boss. I'm coming to you," effectively acknowledging to his following that he recognizes the power in the numbers of people who support him and his comedy.

Never before has a comedian stood on stage and asked their audience to boycott their own show but as you watch, it becomes abundantly clear that the reason motivating this decision is more than justified. All across the web those who empathize with the comedian's plight are sharing the already viral video in support of his stance.

Dave Chappelle has never been one to sugar-coat his feelings and is easily considered one of the most eloquently outspoken comedians ever to perform stand-up. This special depicts a somewhat more serious side of Dave, however, and those who have been following him for a large part of his career will recognize the sincerity and passion in his voice as he shares intimate secrets about the bitter taste the entertainment industry—which he, in his agitated state, refers to as "The Monster"—has left in his mouth. A taste he guarantees he'll always remember.

In the end, he literally begs anyone who has ever liked him or thought there was anything worthwhile about him to please not watch 'Chappelle Show' when it streams on networks like HBO Max on November 1st 2020. He reveals this is a means of encouraging the network (ViacomCBS) to pay him for doing the show—a show which HBO execs initially, according to Chappelle, turned down and "kicked me out of the office," he said, asking him "what do we need you for?"

Dave claims that the network (ViacomCBS) has decided to stream his show because his contract stipulates that they can use his "name and likeness in perpetuity throughout the universe". Though the contract is legal and he signed it as a "28-year old expectant father who was broke," and "desperate," is it right, Chappelle asks his audience, that they use his likeness and material—which they haven't compensated him for—to generate revenue just because the contract says they can; material which HBO specifically did not want when he pitched it to them but who, now, are scheduled to add it to their platform as of November 1st.

The audience is clearly heard in unison agreeing with Chappelle that this treatment is unfair and unjust. By the end of the special you're convinced that it is clear what the Mark Twain Prize recipient is getting at and he sums it up as only Dave Chappelle can:

You're going to pay me. We can fight together and work this thing with 'Chappelle Show' out. Or—or. I can just take it.