Mary Murphy 

Managing Editor 

mem6812@psu.edu

Comedian Dave Chappelle’s new Netflix special, The Closer, which premiered on October 5th, is receiving tremendous outcry for its many transphobic jabs. 

Saeed Jones commented on the special in a GQ essay stating, “…the only thing more brutal than someone saying hurtful shit is someone saying hurtful shit moments after making you laugh, moments after cracking you up in a way that’s both fun and deeply needed, moments after you making you feel like you all got free together.”

“How much you enjoy The Closer will depend on whether you’re able or willing to believe the comic and the human are separate entities and to buy that the human loves us all, and the comic is only performing spitefulness for his audience,” noted Craig Jenkens from Vulture. 

This outcry comes from not only the general audience, but several Netflix employees as well. A trans Netflix employee was recently suspended following a tweet she made regarding the special. Though Netflix stated that the suspension and tweet were unrelated and the suspension has been lifted. 

There have been several outspoken Chappelle defenders as well. This list included Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos who stated, “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.”

Chappelle has a history of releasing specials that uphold regressive ideals. His content often aims to dispute the ideals of cancel culture and therefore contain what many consider to be problematic and insensitive jokes. Given this sentiment, obtaining significant criticism for his stand-up is nothing new for Chappelle. Though, it appears all the backlash has finally come to a head with The Closer criticism. 

Of the jokes in the special, Chappelle’s defense of J.K. Rowling, who publicly denounced the existence of trans women. Following these statements, Rowling was labeled by many as a Trans Exclusionary Radical Femininist, or TERF. In his defense of Rowling, Chappelle made it known that he is “team TERF.” 

A particular facet of The Closer that has gained a significant amount of attention is Chappelle’s mention of Daphne Dorman, a trans woman that Chappelle has worked with in the past. Dorman has opened for Chappelle in the past and their friendship has often been touted by Chappelle as proof that he is in fact not transphobic. 

Dorman received significant criticism from the trans community for her association with Chappelle. Dorman took her own life in October 2019 after posting an apology on Facebook writing, “To those of you who feel like I failed you: I did and I’m sorry and I hope you’ll remember me in better times and better light.” Dorman’s family had spoken out in defense of Chappelle, calling him an LGBTQ ally. 

Regardless of this statement, Netflix and Chappelle are still experiencing pushback queer people, activists and general viewers alike. The special is still currently available through the Netflix platform, though it is to be determined if the company will bend to the criticism and remove the special entirely.