“How dare you”: Dave Chappelle’s Surprise SNL Appearance Revisits Past Controversy as Fans Side with Bowen Yang
Stand-up comedian and actor Dave Chappelle known as the ‘comic genius of America’ has found himself in the middle of the controversies with his comments and jokes. His Netflix special The Closer, which premiered in 2021 garnered a lot of attention due to his jokes on gay and transgender people, particularly trans women.
As a result, Netflix employees decided to walk out as a sign to protest and in support of the trans community demanding Netflix authorities take down the special from the streaming platform.
Netflix authorities did not take down the special citing reasons that the comedy special did not cross any line of hate or violence. Dave Chappelle’s recent appearance on Saturday Night Live episode alongside the cast and crew has once again resurfaced his controversial remarks with fans siding with Bowen Yang.
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Dave Chappelle’s surprise Saturday Night Live appearance did not impress Bowen Yang
Stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle recently appeared during the goodnight segment of Saturday Night Live episode with host Dakota Johnson and musical guest Justin Timberlake. His sudden appearance during the goodnight segment despite having no on-screen time in the episode left the viewers and the SNL cast members surprised.
Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran who had taken part in a sketch were invited during the goodnight segment along with Jimmy Fallon who joined his dear friend Justin Timberlake for Bee Gees impersonations. Viewers and members were surprised to see Dave Chappelle standing on stage for reasons unknown.
SNL star Bowen Yang, who identifies as gay appeared unimpressed with Dave Chappelle’s sudden appearance on stage. He stood on the opposite side of the stage with his hands crossed. Sarah Sherman and Bowen Yang were seen engaged in a brief conversation before Sherman cranes her neck to see Dave Chappelle standing on the other side of the stage and then was seen comforting Yang by rubbing his arm.
According to reports from Deadline, Dave Chappelle’s 2022 SNL gig had angered some of the SNL writers who had threatened to boycott the episode. As a result, Bowen Yang, Sarah Sherman, and SNL’s first non-binary cast member Molly Kearney were not involved in the 2022 taping of the episode.
Fans comes in support of Bowen Yang for sharing the stage with Dave Chappelle
Bowen Yang who joined SNL in 2018 is one of the favorite cast members and after the episode aired and the fans watched Dave Chappelle appearing during the good night segment, they took to their social media to share their views. Fans went ahead to appreciate Bowen Yang by stating that he is so real for distancing himself from Chappelle whose appearance is quite a mystery.
Fans also came in support of Bowen Yang after it was announced that Shane Gills would be hosting SNL for the first time on February 24th via their official Instagram.
A user tweeted, ‘Bowen Yang clearly seemed uncomfortable when Dave Chappelle guest starred last episode. Imagine how he feels now’ while another tweeted, ‘Dave Chappelle on week, Shane Gills the next, it’s like they want Bowen Yang to quit.’ A lot of users commented that did they miss Dave Chappelle in the episode or he just popped up for credits.
Dave Chappelle one week, Shane Gillis the next, it’s like they want Bowen Yang to quit https://t.co/HRA3vk7LvD
— LoLo Vonz (@LoLoVonz) February 4, 2024
https://twitter.com/Esqueer_/status/1751763469144109378?s=20
This moment of Bowen and Sarah realizing that Chappelle has randomly gotten on stage for the goodnights is really just a bummer to watch. https://t.co/c2qBWUjB0C
— That Week In SNL (@ThatWeekInSNL) January 28, 2024
Shane Gills was fired from SNL in 2019 after it was reported via Variety that he used racial and homophobic slurs on Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast calling Chinese people ‘Ch*nks’. A user pointed out how problematic it is to have Shane Gills on the show by sharing a screenshot of why he was fired from SNL and wrote, ‘like how dare you ask Bowen Yang- one of the best comedians in your cast, btw-to share a stage with a due who said this sh*t.’
like how dare you ask bowen yang – one of the best comedians in your cast, btw – to share a stage with a dude who said this shit https://t.co/57qNdYooD0
— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) February 4, 2024
Bowen Yang clearly seemed uncomfortable when Dave Chapelle guest starred last episode, imagine how he feels now 😬
— Ava 🍉 (@alltoowelltmvtv) February 4, 2024
SNL clearly does not care for queer people. I completely forgot about this guy until I saw your tweet. What a terrible work week for Bowen Yang.
— Eddie Lara just saw Bleachers (@edsterrock) February 4, 2024
Every queer person has experienced this on some level. Being in a room surrounded by people who call you their friends or even family, yet will gleefully welcome and celebrate someone who works to harm you and your community and care nothing for your feelings about it. https://t.co/IQNz4Txf0K
— Jessie Earl (@jessiegender) January 30, 2024
Another X user commented by saying that SNL clearly does not care for queer people adding that they had completely forgotten about Shane Gills until they saw the tweet. They lastly added that it clearly has been a terrible work week for Bowen Yang. Dave Chappelle, Bowen Yang or SNL have not commented on the situation as of now.