Dave Chappelle's Netflix Standup The Closer Gets Nominated For Emmy Award Despite Trans Jokes

Dave Chappelle's controversial stand-up special The Closer has received two Emmy nominations, despite the show receiving significant backlash from Netflix employees and viewers over his jokes targeting the trans community.

The Closer is in the running for best pre-recorded variety special. The Closer director Stan Lathan is also in the running to take out the variety special directing category.

Social media was swift to jump on the news.

One user responded to the Emmy announcement with: "Ew, Chappelle."

Another added: "Dave Chappelle… really?"

A third said: "Don’t you love when transphobia is elevated."

Chappelle faced calls for The Closer to be pulled from Netflix shortly after its release, however the streaming service stood its ground and insisted that the comedian was free to push the boundaries in the name of comedy.

Netflix co-CEO Te Sarandos said in a memo: "Chappelle is one of the most popular stand-up comedians today, and we have a long standing deal with him.

"We don't allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don't believe The Closer crosses that line.

"I recognise, however, that distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy which exists to push boundaries.

"Some people find the art of stand-up to be mean-spirited but our members enjoy it, and it's an important part of our content offering."

Netflix's stance caused a mass employee walk-out in October, with hundreds of staffers downing tools to protest The Closer.

Netflix staff held a rally outside the Los Angeles Netflix office on Sunset Boulevard to 'underscore the importance of responsible content offerings that prioritise the safety and dignity of all marginalised communities', as per CBS.

The backlash over The Closer reached fever pitch when Dave Chappelle was attacked while performing on stage in May.

Chappelle was performing at the Hollywood Bowl in LA on May 3 as a part of Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival, and as the show was ending, he was attacked by a 23-year-old man.

Clips of the incident, along with the aftermath, circulated online at the time with footage showing the attacker being put in an ambulance with a badly injured arm.

Despite the disruption, Chappelle remained on stage and finished off his performance, but not before joking that 'it was a trans man' to the crowd.

Chappelle's attacker was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon after he was found carrying a replica handgun with a blade hidden inside.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix.

Topics: Netflix, TV and Film

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

@rlangjournalist