Dave Chappelle recently announced that his comedy show “Chappelle’s Show” will be returning to Netflix after it was removed at his request last year.
Following a performance titled “Redemption Song” in Austin, Texas, at the Stubbs Waller Creek venue, the comedian revealed that his popular sketch program would be rejoining the streaming platform on Friday, Feb. 12. The comedian also shared the news with a 10-minute clip posted to his Instagram account late Wednesday night.
“I asked you to stop watching the show and thank God almighty for you, you did. You made that show worthless because without your eyes it’s nothing,” Chappelle told the audience. “And when you stopped watching it, they called me. And I got my name back, and I got my license back, and I got my show back, and they paid me millions of dollars. Thank you very much.”
The 47-year-old continued, “This is a very important moment. I want to thank Ted Sarandos at Netflix, a CEO who had the courage to take my show off its platform at financial detriment to his company, just because I asked him. And I want to thank Chris McCarthy of CBS Viacom. This guy is younger than me. And like most people younger than me has an interest in making the past right and did something that was very courageous. And finally, after all these years, I can finally say that Comedy Central, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”
In November, the “Half Baked” star asked audience members in a nearly 18-minute-long clip titled “Unforgiven” to stop streaming the show after claiming that he never received compensation after leaving the ViacomCBS program. The actor left the series suddenly before its season-three premiere, scheduled to air on May 31, 2005.
In the November video, the comedian told viewers at that time to “boycott” him. “If you ever liked me, if you ever think there was anything worthwhile about me. I’m begging you. Please don’t watch that show.” Granting Chappelle’s wish, both Netflix and HBO Max removed the show from their platforms.
During his Austin performance, Chappelle also addressed his recent COVID-19 diagnosis. In mid-January, a representative for the star revealed that the “Blue Streak” actor had canceled a line of shows after contracting the disease. The comedian cited his impatience to get back to work as the cause of him catching the virus.
