Reactions mixed over Dave Chappelle's jokes during appearance at John Mulaney show
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Ohio comedian Dave Chappelle made a surprise appearance Friday at fellow comedian John Mulaney’s show in Columbus, drawing criticism on social media for what some in attendance said were jokes targeting the LGBTQ community.
According to attendees, Chappelle, who lives in Yellow Springs, was a surprise opener for Mulaney’s “From Scratch” tour stop at Value City Arena at Ohio State on Friday. There is no footage from the event, as attendees were required to lock their phones up before the show, Variety reported.
Afterward, many attendees took to social media to express concern and criticism for what they said were jokes targeting the transgender community. Some also reported that Mulaney and Chappelle shared an embrace on stage.
Dave Chappelle's set called 'transphobic' by some at show
Comments about Chappelle’s performance on the show were trending on Twitter over the weekend, with more than 19,200 tweets by Sunday afternoon.
my favorite part of tonight was when dave chappelle ambushed us at the john mulaney show, told a bunch of transphobic jokes, a massive stadium of people laughed, and then john mulaney hugged him at the end
— rylan ☻ (@testosteronejew) May 21, 2022
I will say, being a non-binary person in the Columbus crowd last night, Dave Chappelle was being distasteful with his jokes. I don’t think, however, that John Mulaney should be held accountable for another’s actions
— emma 🥀 (@iceprincessk9_) May 21, 2022
okay so tell me why I just went to the John Mulaney show and Dave Chappelle was a surprise opener and made not only a transphobic joke but a homophobic one
— maddie (@boobeoisie) May 21, 2022
Neither comedian has publicly commented about Friday’s show.
The viral incident comes on the heels of other recent controversies involving Chappelle.
On Oct. 20, hundreds of Netflix employees staged a walkout following protests over Chappelle's latest Netflix comedy special "The Closer," where the comedian made remarks many deemed as transphobic.
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He has come under particular ire for his defense of "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling, who has been accused of transphobia for years.
Last month, a 23-year-old man rushed on the stage and tackled the performer to the ground during the Netflix Is A Joke comedy festival in Los Angeles. Video shared online appears to show the attacker launching himself into Chappelle, knocking the comedian onto the ground.
Others back Chappelle, said he received standing ovation, apologized
While some who watched the show live called some of Chappelle's jokes "transphobic," others took to social media and said he received a standing ovation.
In the Facebook comments under the Columbus Dispatch story, Brianne Kees said there was a standing ovation.
Sarah Higgiston, who said she does find some of Chappelle's jokes to be transphobic, said he apologized on Friday and said he's changing. She said he apologized for the joke he made in California which led to somebody attacking him on stage. She also added that his joke on Friday made fun of himself, not a trans person, for being seen as transphobic.
Cole Behrens is a reporter at The Columbus Dispatch covering public safety and breaking news. You can reach him at CBehrens@dispatch.com or find him on Twitter at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Dave Chappelle set at Columbus John Mulaney comedy show draws fury
