If you tried watching Chappelle’s Show on Netflix this morning, you may have noticed that it’s no longer on the tv show and movie streaming service Netflix. The comedy skit driven show was put on Netflix on November 1st but was recently removed by the request of Dave Chappelle. The removal of his show was due to the original rights holders ViacomCBS began licensing the show without his permission.
Chapelle’s Show aired on ViacomCBS owned channel Comedy Central from 2003 to 2006. The show has been available on Comedy Central’s website and mobile app. It also was recently added to multiple streaming services like CBS All Access, HBO Max, and Netflix. Chappelle has always had a controversial relationship with ViacomCBS. With him quitting during the production of season 3 of Chappelle’s Show. Plus Chappelle does not own the rights to the show despite the show carrying his name.
Netflix has a profitable contract with Chappelle, which includes three comedy specials with the streaming service. Due to the contract, that could have been the reason that Netflix respected Chappelle’s request to remove Chappelle’s Show from their streaming service.
Earlier this month when Chappelle mentioned his frustrated opinion on licensing deals when he was hosting Saturday Night Live. This explains the 18-minute long clip he posted on his Instagram, which was a clip from his unreleased standup ‘Unforgiven‘. In the same clip, Chappelle mentions his request to Netflix. Which he stated that “I called them and I told them that this makes me feel bad. And you want to know what they did? They agreed that they would take it off their platform just so I could feel better.”
Netflix has pulled ‘Chappelle’s Show’ at the request Dave Chappelle.
The standup comedian tells how the convo went in a recent standup performance. pic.twitter.com/STx3bXUfKa
— No Hipsters Allowed (@nohipstersblog2) November 24, 2020
Netflix removed Chappelle’s Show to make Chappelle feel much better due to the continued disagreement with ViaComCBS. Netflix streaming Chappelle’s Show was basically putting more money in ViaComCBS pockets, which didn’t sit well with Chappelle. That led to the removal of the show and the reason why Chapelle stated he loved Netflix in the 18-minute long clip on his Instagram page.
If you’re a fan of Chappelle’s work, you can still stream the popular comedy show on CBS All Access and HBO Max. Which Chapelle wouldn’t really agree with since, in the same 18-minute clip, he stated, “I think if you are f*cking streaming that show you’re fencing stolen goods. They stole that from me. They just took it. And I’m not here trying to tell you guys that I believe Comedy Central gave me a raw deal just because I’m black. I believe they gave me a raw deal because this f*cking industry is a monster.”
However, you can also support some of Chappelle’s stand-up comedy specials on Netflix. Which seems to be the better choice with Chappelle’s respect and love for that streaming service.
