Netflix Defends Dave Chappelle Special, Will Not Remove It From the Platform

Dave Chappelle's new stand-up special on Netflix, "The Closer" has ruffled a few feathers.  But don't expect Netflix to remove it from their platform.

Co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended the special and their support of "creative freedom."  That means there will be content on their platform that not everyone agrees with.

From Variety:

“Chappelle is one of the most popular stand-up comedians today, and we have a long standing deal with him. His last special “Sticks & Stones,” also controversial, is our most watched, stickiest and most award winning stand-up special to date,” Sarandos wrote in the memo, obtained by Variety.

“As with our other talent, we work hard to support their creative freedom — even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmful,” he added.

As examples, Sarandos referenced Netflix content, including “Cuties,” the Sundance sensation meant to comment on the “hypersexualiztion of children,” which in turn was accused of promoting lewd images of minors; the teen suicide drama “13 Reasons Why;” and the unscripted series “My Unorthodox Life” about a fashion executive leaving the Jewish Orthodox faith.

There appears to finally be a little bit of pushback against cancel culture.  I think that was the point of Chappelle's special to begin with- be controversial, get some pushback, and see how Netflix would handle it.