The Closer (2021 film)
{{Short description|Stand-up comedy special by Dave Chappelle}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Dave Chappelle The Closer Poster.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster for the special
| director = Stan Lathan
| producer = Sina Sadighi
| writer = Dave Chappelle
| based_on =
| starring = Dave Chappelle
| music =
| cinematography =
| editing = Jeff U'ren
| studio = Netflix Worldwide Entertainment
| distributor = Netflix
| released = {{Film date|2021|10|5}}
| runtime = 72 minutes
| country = United States
| budget =
| gross =
}}
The Closer is a 2021 American stand-up comedy special written and performed by Dave Chappelle for Netflix. It was directed by Stan Lathan and recorded over the course of seven sold-out performances at The Fillmore Detroit, which ran from August 10 to 15, 2021. The Closer is Chappelle's sixth and final special under his 2016 deal with Netflix, with the other five being Deep in the Heart of Texas, The Age of Spin, Equanimity, The Bird Revelation and Sticks & Stones.
The special contains segments that joke about the discrimination against the African-American community relative to the discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The special received a mixed reception from critics while some LGBTQ groups called for the special's removal from the service and some Netflix employees criticized and protested Chappelle's jokes about the transgender community. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos repeatedly defended the special as freedom of artistic expression.{{Cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|date=2021-10-20|title='I Screwed Up': Netflix's Ted Sarandos Addresses Dave Chappelle Fallout|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/dave-chappelle-netflix-ted-sarandos-i-screwed-up-1235093098/|access-date=2021-10-21|website=Variety|language=en-US}}
The special received various award nominations including for two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Variety Special and Directing for a Variety Special.
== Synopsis ==
Chappelle jokes about the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, mentioning that he took the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and jokes that it was due to its relatively lower efficacy rate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chattr.com.au/the-top-10-jokes-from-dave-chappelles-netflix-comedy-special-the-closer/|title=Top 10 jokes from Dave Chappelle's Netflix comedy special, The Closer|date=October 6, 2021}} He talks about having contracted COVID-19 and being asymptomatic, comparing himself to Magic Johnson's HIV infection. Chappelle laments that while in quarantine he was concerned about anti-Asian hate, particularly Black on Asian violence.
Chappelle shares his idea for a movie plot, about aliens claiming the earth as they were an ancient civilization who inhabited the earth once, then managed to explore space but after a long period things went terrible for them and they decided to go back and claim the earth... he calls it "space jews"
Chappelle jokes that he has written a series of children's books, similar to Clifford the Big Red Dog, except it is about a Black man who is shot by police in each installment. He calls the book Clifford, the Big Black Nigger.{{Cite web|url=https://scrapsfromtheloft.com/comedy/dave-chappelle-the-closer-transcript/|title=Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021) | Transcript|date=October 6, 2021}}
Chappelle jokes about controversy concerning DaBaby, and wonders aloud why the rapper was "canceled" for making disparaging remarks about the LGBTQ community but not for killing a man in a Huntersville, North Carolina Walmart.{{cite magazine |last1=Blistein |first1=Jon |title=Dave Chappelle Flummoxed That DaBaby Was 'Canceled' for Homophobic Remarks, But Not Shooting a Man |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dave-chappelle-dababy-homophobic-controversy-the-closer-1237969/ |access-date=13 October 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=6 October 2021}} Chappelle says that someone being gay does not mean they cannot be racist.
Chappelle wonders if someone like Mike Pence is gay himself. He also mentions that older gay men are different than the new generation of LGBTQ people, as the older generation had experienced adversity like Stonewall. Chappelle jokes that he likes the concept of a glory hole, and that it takes a lot of courage to use one. He jokes about Martin Luther King utilizing the glory hole as a method for racial unity.
Chappelle then tells a story about getting into an altercation with a gay man who was videotaping Chappelle at a bar in Austin, Texas. The man called the police on Chappelle, and retorts that "Gay people are minorities, until they need to be White again." Chappelle also relates a story of being in an altercation with a lesbian woman in a separate incident.
Chappelle talks about his narrative with the transgender community, and voices his opposition to bills aimed at regulating trans bathroom use.
Chappelle celebrates the adoption of the Juneteenth holiday.
Chappelle tells a story of meeting a transgender woman's mother and later the woman herself at two separate bars in Ohio.
Chappelle discusses the MeToo movement, suggesting hypocrisy amongst celebrities. He also explores the dictionary definition of feminism and by definition defines himself as a feminist. He mentions that J. K. Rowling is considered a "TERF" (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) and says that, since he is a newly appointed feminist, joked that he is "Team TERF". Chappelle jokes about Caitlyn Jenner winning "Woman of the Year" in her first year as a woman. He proceeds to address the audience saying, of Jenner, that she “beat every Bitch in Detroit; she’s better than all of you.” After receiving laughter from the audience, Chappelle continued, saying, “Oh, I’d be mad as shit if I was a woman. I’d be mad if I was me.” He compares it to Eminem winning an award at the BET Awards for "Nigger of the Year".
Chappelle then talks about Twitter, declaring it "not a real place", before finishing with a story about Daphne Dorman, a transgender comedian he had a role in mentoring. Dorman died by suicide after opening for Chappelle during his Sticks & Stones tour; Chappelle alleges she experienced online harassment from people in the trans community for defending Chappelle's comedy.
Production
In 2016, Chappelle made a deal to release three stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.{{cite web |date=November 21, 2016 |last=Stanhope |first=Kate |title=Dave Chappelle Headed to Netflix With 3 Stand-Up Specials |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dave-chappelle-netflix-stand-up-specials-949616 |access-date=September 11, 2021 }} The deal was extended to include more specials and The Closer marks the sixth and final show in the series.{{cite web |date=29 September 2021 |last1=Earl |first1=William |title=Dave Chappelle to Release Sixth Netflix Special 'The Closer' in October — Watch First Teaser |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/dave-chappelle-new-netflix-special-the-closer-teaser-trailer-1235076985/ |website=Variety }} The other shows were Deep in the Heart of Texas, The Age of Spin, Equanimity, The Bird Revelation, and Sticks & Stones. The Closer was written and performed by Chappelle. It was produced and directed by Stan Lathan who directed Chapelle's previous specials.{{Cite news |date=March 14, 2017 |first=Kate |last=Stanhope |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dave-chappelle-netflix-trailer-985998/ |title=Dave Chappelle Netflix Specials Get Trailer, Release Date |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2021-10-04 }} The special was recorded over the course of seven sold-out performances at the Fillmore in Detroit, which ran from August 10 through August 15, 2021.{{cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |first=Abby |last=Monteil |title=Dave Chappelle's 'The Closer' Is Now on Netflix |url=https://decider.com/2021/10/05/dave-chapelle-the-closer-now-on-netflix/ |website=Decider }} Originally, the show was to run from August 10 to 12, but three additional dates were added "due to overwhelming demand".{{cite web |date=2021-08-06 |last=Johncox |first=Cathy |title=Dave Chappelle adds three more Aug. shows in Detroit |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2021/08/06/dave-chappelle-adds-three-more-shows-to-detroits-fillmore/ |website=Click on Detroit |publisher=Graham Media Group |access-date= October 13, 2021 }} In the trailer for the show Chappelle stated, "Comedians have a responsibility to speak recklessly. Sometimes the funniest thing to say is mean. Remember, I'm not saying it to be mean: I'm saying it because it's funny."
The show was dedicated to the memory of comedian Norm Macdonald, who died shortly before its release.
According to leaked documents obtained by Bloomberg News, Netflix paid $24.1 million for The Closer.
== Music ==
The opening titles feature the song "Tribute" by Black Star.{{cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |author=Navjosh |title=Black Star Debut New Song in Dave Chappelle's Netflix Special 'The Closer': Listen |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2021/10/new-black-star-song-dave-chappelle-the-closer/ |website=HipHop-N-More }} The closing credits feature "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
== Release ==
The special was released on October 5, 2021, on Netflix.{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/dave-chappelle-jk-rowling-dababy-netflix-special|title=Dave Chappelle defends J.K. Rowling, DaBaby in Netflix special 'The Closer': 'Gender is a fact' |first=Tyler |last=McCarthy |date=October 6, 2021 |website=Fox News |access-date=October 9, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/dave-chappelle-faces-backlash-troubling-trans-jokes-comedy-special-1636101|title=Dave Chappelle faces backlash for "troubling" trans jokes in comedy special|first=Ryan|last=Smith|date=October 6, 2021|website=Newsweek|access-date=October 9, 2021}} The Closer ranked in seventh place for original content in streaming audience measurements from Nielsen ratings for the week of October 4–10, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/top-ten|title=Top 10s: TV Ratings, Video Games, SVOD|website=www.nielsen.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/squid-game-dave-chappelle-black-widow-nielsen-streaming-chart-1234868169/|title='Squid Game' Dominance Continues In U.S. Streaming; Dave Chappelle, 'Seinfeld', 'Ted Lasso' Show Strength|first1=Dade|last1=Hayes|date=November 4, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2021/11/04/tv-ratings-dave-chappelle-the-closer-nielsen-top-10-streaming/|title=Dave Chappelle's The Closer, Maid Crack Nielsen Top 10 Streaming Chart|first1=Matt Webb|last1=Mitovich|date=November 4, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/maid-dave-chappelle-closer-streaming-rankings-oct-4-10-1235042342/|title='Maid' Makes Big Jump, Dave Chappelle's 'Closer' Debuts in Streaming Rankings|first1=Rick|last1=Porter|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 4, 2021}}
Reception
= Critical reception =
The special received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes The Closer has an approval rating of 40% based on reviews from 10 critics, and an average rating of 6.20 out of 10.{{cite web |title=Dave Chappelle: The Closer |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dave_chappelle_the_closer |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=2021-10-27 }} Some reviewers pointed out that while the special received poor ratings from professional critics,{{Cite web |date=2021-10-13 |last=Lewis |first=Helen |title=Dave Chappelle's Rorschach Test |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/10/dave-chappelle-the-closer/620364/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=2021-12-12 }}{{Cite web |last=Meek |first=Andy |date=October 8, 2021 |title=Dave Chappelle's new Netflix special is so controversial, a civil rights group wants it pulled|url=https://bgr.com/entertainment/dave-chappelles-new-netflix-special-is-so-controversial-a-civil-rights-group-wants-it-pulled/|access-date=October 14, 2021}}{{Cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Tyler |date=October 11, 2021 |title=Dave Chappelle's controversial special 'The Closer' gets high audience score on Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/dave-chappelle-the-closer-high-audience-score-rotten-tomatoes |access-date=October 14, 2021 |website=Fox News }}{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2021 |title=Dave Chappelle Sparks Controversy Again with Netflix Special 'The Closer' |url=https://movieweb.com/the-closer-dave-chappelle-controversy/ |website=Movieweb |access-date=October 14, 2021 }} The Closer had a 96% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Eric Deggans of NPR in a negative review thinks Chappelle goes too far, that his jokes treat oppression like a zero-sum game, and that "untangling homophobia, transphobia, racism and white privilege requires a lot more effort and understanding than Chappelle makes here."{{cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |first=Eric |last=Deggans |title=For Dave Chappelle, punchlines are dares. His new special, 'The Closer,' goes too far |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/05/1043435919/dave-chappelle-new-netflix-special-the-closer-review |website=NPR |quote=He also knows reviewers like me will quote the joke and criticize him for it, which I am. I don't really care what point he's trying to make; a joke that sounds like antisemitism gets a hard pass from me. }}
Dan Di Placido of Forbes in a negative review wrote that The Closer painted the picture of a declining comedian, saying that Chapelle seems intent on defining himself using the controversy surrounding "Chappelle's habit of mocking the trans community, in a way that the community largely objects to." Di Placido stated that Chapelle's story about Daphne Dorman in the special felt out of place, and called the special "an hour of Chappelle insisting that he is right, and his critics are wrong."{{Cite web |last=Placido |first=Dani Di |title=Dave Chappelle's 'The Closer' Paints A Sad Portrait Of A Declining Comedian |website=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2021/10/10/dave-chappelles-the-closer-paints-a-sad-portrait-of-a-declining-comedian/ |access-date=2021-10-14 }}
Craig Jenkins of Vulture gave it a mixed review, and wrote: "This time, [Chapelle]’s going for the predictable jabs and rehashing takes that were old hat five years ago … He needs new ideas.."{{cite web|last1=Jenkins|first1=Craig|date=October 6, 2021|title=Dave Chappelle's Endless Feedback Loop|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/dave-chappelle-the-closer-comedy-review.html|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006150242/https://www.vulture.com/article/dave-chappelle-the-closer-comedy-review.html|archive-date=2021-10-06|website=Vulture.com|publisher=Vox Media}}
Helen Lewis of The Atlantic in a mixed review wrote that "The emotion that defines The Closer is not laughter, but anger. Chappelle once delivered his most offensive jokes with a goofy, quizzical, little-lost-boy smile, removing some of their sting, but here the humor feels sour and curdled. The stoner who never gave a shit seems genuinely frustrated and goaded on by social-media pile-ons. An alternative title for the special might be A Response to My Critics." She compared Chappelle's special to a Rorschach test, describing his jokes are both funny and offensive, and that he is "entirely right to indict would-be censors for their wild inconsistencies and their capricious attitude to offense."
Jordan Ruimy of World of Reel in a positive review wrote that "amidst all the brouhaha that has happened this last week over Dave Chappelle's latest Netflix special, “The Closer,” there lies a total and utter artistic act of subversive trolling from the comedian. The result is a blend of comedy and commentary that, when all is said and done, might very well define Chappelle's career — and it's not even close to being the funniest thing he's ever done."{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2021/10/7hq0y01thjumrsp0iq2gp3yns1lyxw|title=Dave Chappelle's 'The Closer': A Revolutionary Act of Defiance|website=World of Reel|date=August 19, 2019 }}
Jim Schembri in a positive review wrote "Chappelle presents himself as an unfiltered, unflinching free thinker, fully aware of the controversy he creates and totally unapologetic about it."{{Cite web|url=https://www.jimschembri.com/cancel-proof-dave-chappelle-applies-a-friendly-blowtorch-to-lgbtq-politics-in-hilarious-hot-button-anti-woke-special-the-closer/|title=Cancel-proof Dave Chappelle applies a friendly blowtorch to LGBTQ+ politics in hilarious, hot-button, anti-woke special 'The Closer'|date=October 10, 2021}}
= Jokes about the transgender community =
{{See also|2021 Netflix walkout}}
Chappelle's jokes about the transgender community were criticized by GLAAD, which said in a statement that "Chappelle's brand has become synonymous with ridiculing trans people."{{Cite web |first=J. Kim |last=Murphy |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/dave-chappelle-netflix-special-glaad-national-black-justice-coalition-1235082813/ |title=Dave Chappelle's Netflix Special Called Out by GLAAD, National Black Justice Coalition for 'Ridiculing Trans People'|website=Variety|date=October 6, 2021|access-date=October 9, 2021}} David Johns, the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, published a statement saying "[p]erpetuating transphobia perpetuates violence" and asked Netflix to remove The Closer from its service.{{cite news |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |title='Dear White People' EP "Done' With Netflix Over Dave Chappelle's New "Transphobic" Special; Comic Lambasted By GLAAD For "Ridiculing" Trans & LGBTQ+ Communities – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/dave-chappelle-glaad-lgbtq-trans-netflix-special-homophobia-national-black-justice-coalition-1234851038/ |access-date=October 12, 2021 |work=Deadline |date=October 6, 2021}}
Reactions to the special by the public were mixed. The Los Angeles Times interviewed three LGBTQ comedians, asking for their opinion on The Closer. Some were in support of Chappelle's artistic freedom as a comedian while others were hurt by the content of the special.{{Cite news|last=Jackson|first=Nate|date=2021-10-13|title=What LGBTQ+ comedians really think of Dave Chappelle's Netflix special|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-10-13/lgbtq-comedians-dave-chappelle-special-discussion|access-date=2021-10-15}} CNN interviewed transgender comedians about the special and received mixed responses; Black trans comedian Flame Monroe was supportive of Chappelle's special, while Black trans comedian Dahlia Belle criticized it.{{Cite web |date=2021 |author=Matthew Miller |title=Black transgender comedian defends Dave Chappelle's jokes: 'No topic is off limits' |url=https://gazette.com/news/black-transgender-comedian-defends-dave-chappelles-jokes-no-topic-is-off-limits/article_6ac336ec-ce26-5f12-8c9e-2ca9bac2d640.html |access-date=2021-10-15 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |archive-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016160830/https://gazette.com/news/black-transgender-comedian-defends-dave-chappelles-jokes-no-topic-is-off-limits/article_6ac336ec-ce26-5f12-8c9e-2ca9bac2d640.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |date=October 24, 2021 |accessdate=February 13, 2024| author1=Scottie Andrew |title=What these trans comedians have to say about Dave Chappelle's jokes at their expense |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/24/entertainment/trans-comics-dave-chappelle-netflix-cec/index.html |newspaper=CNN }}
Some Netflix employees responded negatively to the special. On October 8, 2021, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos defended the special's release in a memo sent to employees saying that "[w]e don't allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don't believe The Closer crosses that line."{{cite web |date=October 11, 2021 |first=Dominic |last=Patten |title=Dave Chappelle's Latest Netflix Special Doesn't Cross "The Line On Hate," Ted Sarandos Says Despite Controversy; Staffer Who Criticized Trans Remarks In 'The Closer' Suspended |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/dave-chappelle-trans-controversy-netflix-reaction-ted-sarandos-staffer-suspended-the-closer-trans-remarks-1234853974/ |website=Deadline |access-date=October 11, 2021}} Following Sarandos' statement, the trans employee resource group at Netflix announced they would be staging a walkout on October 20.{{cite news |date=October 12, 2021 |last=Schiffer |first=Zoe |title=Trans employees at Netflix plan walkout even as one activist is reinstated following suspension |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/12/22723592/netflix-trans-employees-walkout-statements-ceo |access-date=October 13, 2021 |work=The Verge }} After the announcement of the walkout, Sarandos defended the special once again in a company-wide email saying "[w]ith The Closer, we understand that the concern is not about offensive-to-some content but titles which could increase real world harm (such as further marginalizing already marginalized groups, hate, violence etc.)" and that "[w]hile some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesn't directly translate to real-world harm".{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ted-sarandos-dave-chappelle-defense-1235088647/ |title=Ted Sarandos Doubles Down on Dave Chappelle Defense: 'Content Doesn't Directly Translate to Real-World Harm' (EXCLUSIVE) |first=Matt |last=Donnelly |date=October 14, 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/10/netflix-ted-sarandos-just-keeps-defending-dave-chappelle|title=Netflix's Ted Sarandos Just Keeps Defending Dave Chappelle|first=Savannah|last=Walsh|website=Vanity Fair |date=October 14, 2021}}
On October 7, at a private screening of his documentary Dave Chappelle: Live in Real Life, Chappelle responded to the controversy saying: "If this is what being canceled is, I love it."{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2021 |first=Chris |last=Gardner |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dave-chappelle-netflix-special-critics-cancel-culture-1235028197/ |title=Dave Chappelle Gets Standing Ovation Amid Netflix Special Controversy: "If This Is What Being Canceled Is, I Love It" |work=The Hollywood Reporter }}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-08 |first=Dominic |last=Patten |title=Dave Chappelle Aims To Cancel "Cancel Culture" With "Kindness Conspiracy" At Star-Studded Hollywood Bowl Screening After Controversy Over Latest Netflix Special |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/dave-chappelle-controvery-netflix-trans-lgbtq-hollywood-bowl-documentary-screening-1234852279/ |website=Deadline |access-date=2021-10-10 }} At another screening of his documentary, on October 17, Chappelle told the audience "Don't worry about me... I've got enough money to never work again in my life." He also mentioned following the backlash from his special, two screenings of the documentary were cancelled.{{Cite web|last=Adejobi|first=Alicia|date=2021-10-18|title=Dave Chappelle urges fans 'not to worry about him' amid LGBT backlash |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/18/dave-chappelle-urges-fans-not-to-worry-about-him-amid-lgbt-backlash-15442705/ |access-date=2021-10-18|website=Metro }}
On October 19, Sarandos defended the special again as "freedom of speech and creative expression".{{Cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|date=October 20, 2021|title=Netflix's Ted Sarandos Admits "I Screwed Up Internal Communication" Amid Dave Chappelle Controversy, Says "Storytelling Has Impact On Real World"|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/netflix-ted-sarandos-speaks-up-dave-chapplle-the-closer-controversy-interview-1234858762/}} Before the planned walkout, Netflix issued a company statement encouraging employees to attend the protest without repercussions.{{Cite web|last1=Andreeva|first1=Nellie|date=October 20, 2021|title=Netflix Issues Statement About Trans Employee Walkout: "We Have Much More Work To Do"|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/netflix-statement-about-trans-employee-walkout-1234858940/}} On October 20, there was a small employee walkout of between twelve and thirty employees{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/20/business/media/netflix-protest-dave-chappelle.html|title=Netflix employees walk out to protest Dave Chappelle's special.|first1=John|last1=Koblin|first2=Nicole|last2=Sperling|newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 20, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-los-angeles-elliot-page-dave-chappelle-a80a7a9267520c5bbc8f0b755302b5b2|title=Chapelle special spurs Netflix walkout; 'Trans lives matter'|date=October 20, 2021|website=AP NEWS}} at a Netflix building in Los Angeles.
On October 21, a representative for Chappelle reached out to TMZ saying: "Dave stands by his art: No more jokes about transgenders until we can all laugh together. The streets are talking and Dave is listening. At some point, when everyone is open, I'm sure the communities will come together" and added that Chappelle is open to a conversation with transgender activists if an invitation is extended to him.{{Cite web |title=Dave Chappelle Says He's Open To Sit Down With Trans Community |url=https://www.tmz.com/2021/10/21/dave-chappelle-open-sit-down-netflix-employees-controversy/ |website=TMZ |date=October 22, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-22 }}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-21 |author=Glenn Garner |title=Dave Chappelle 'Open' to Dialogue with Netflix Employees After Backlash, Rep Says |url=https://people.com/tv/dave-chappelle-open-to-dialogue-netflix-employees/ |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=2021-10-22 }}{{cite web |date=22 October 2021 |last1=Haring |first1=Bruce |title=Dave Chappelle Is Open To A Discussion With Netflix Employees Upset By 'The Closer' – Report |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/dave-chappelle-open-to-talk-with-netflix-employees-on-the-closer-1234860540/ |website=Deadline }} On October 25, Chappelle released a clip from his stand-up tour where he stated "Do not blame the LGBTQ community for any of this. It's about corporate interests, and what I can say, and what I cannot say."{{cite web |date=25 October 2021 |last1=Gardner |first1=Chris |title=Dave Chappelle Ready to Meet With Transgender Community Under Certain Conditions: "I Am Not Bending to Anyone's Demands" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dave-chappelle-closer-transgender-community-1235036573/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter }}
= Daphne Dorman =
In the special, Chappelle discussed his friendship with Daphne Dorman, who was an American transgender comedian, actress, and software engineer based in San Francisco.{{cite news |last1=H |first1=Pratik |title=Who Was Daphne Dorman? How Did She Die? |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/who-was-daphne-dorman-how-did-she-die/ |work=The Cinemaholic |date=7 October 2021}} Chappelle mentioned her in his earlier special Sticks & Stones.{{cite news |last1=Aviles |first1=Gwen |title=Comedian's death underscores high suicide rate among transgender people |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/comedian-s-death-underscores-high-suicide-rate-among-transgender-people-n1067546 |access-date=April 23, 2022 |work=NBC News |date=October 16, 2019 |language=en}} She defended Chappelle after the backlash to the special.{{cite web |title=Transgender Activist, Comedian Featured In Dave Chappelle's Netflix Special Dies By Suicide |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/transgender-activist-daphne-dorman-dead_n_5da46994e4b087efdbb2082c |website=HuffPost |language=en |date=14 October 2019}}{{cite news |first=Kashmira |last=Gander |title=Trans comic Daphne Dorman, inspiration for recent Dave Chappelle special, dies aged 44 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/daphne-dorman-dead-trans-comedian-dave-chappelle-special-1464880 |work=Newsweek |date=13 October 2019 |language=en}}
Dorman committed suicide in October 2019, and she was survived by her daughter.{{cite web|last=Russian|first=Ale|title=Transgender Comedian Daphne Dorman Dies at 44, Weeks After Shoutout from Dave Chappelle|url=https://people.com/movies/transgender-comedian-daphne-dorman-dies-at-44-weeks-after-shoutout-from-dave-chappelle/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-27|magazine=People|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015010647/https://people.com/movies/transgender-comedian-daphne-dorman-dies-at-44-weeks-after-shoutout-from-dave-chappelle/ |archive-date=2019-10-15 }} Dorman's family defended The Closer. Her sister said of Chappelle: "Dave loved my sister and is an LGBTQ ally."{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/dave-chappelle-backed-by-family-of-late-transgender-comedian-daphne-dorman-from-the-closer|title=Dave Chappelle Backed by Family of Late Transgender Comic Daphne Dorman|first=Cheyenne|last=Roundtree|date=October 7, 2021|website=www.thedailybeast.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dave-chappelle-daphne-dorman-comedy-special-the-closer-transphobic-172503363.html|title=Dave Chappelle defended by family of late friend following comments about the trans community|website=Yahoo.com|date=October 9, 2021 }} Chappelle has set up a college fund for Dorman's daughter.{{cite news |last1=Roundtree |first1=Cheyenne |title=Dave Chappelle Backed by Family of Late Transgender Comic Daphne Dorman |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/dave-chappelle-backed-by-family-of-late-transgender-comedian-daphne-dorman-from-the-closer |access-date=October 12, 2021 |work=The Daily Beast |date=October 7, 2021 |language=en}}
= Data leak =
Bloomberg News reported that Chappelle's content "prompted leaks unprecedented in the company's history" by employees and insiders. Netflix does not share metrics associated with numbers of viewers or profitability of individual content.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-13/netflix-staff-raised-concerns-about-dave-chappelle-special-before-release |title=Netflix Staff Raised Concerns About Chappelle Special Before Its Release |publisher=Bloomberg News |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |date=October 13, 2021 |access-date=October 14, 2021 }} Three employees were suspended for attending a quarterly business report meeting uninvited which was restricted to director-level employees.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Ryan |date=2021-10-26 |title=Fired Netflix trans employee doesn't want Dave Chappelle's special taken down |url=https://www.newsweek.com/fired-netflix-trans-employee-dave-chappelle-special-removed-1642577 |website=Newsweek |access-date=2021-10-28 }}
On October 15, Netflix fired employee B. Pagels-Minor{{cite web |date=October 20, 2021 |author=Andrew Limbong |title=Netflix employees are staging a walkout as a fired organizer speaks out |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/10/20/1047307202/netflix-fired-trans-nonbinary-walkout-organizer-speaks |website=NPR.org |quote=I collected the data, but I did not leak the data }} for leaking nonpublic financial information to Bloomberg News.{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2021 |author1=Joe Flint |author2=Jennifer Calfas |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/hannah-gadsby-slams-netflix-over-growing-backlash-against-dave-chappelle-11634310722 |title=Netflix Fires Employee Who Leaked Information About Dave Chappelle Special |work=The Wall Street Journal |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211015153310/https://www.wsj.com/articles/hannah-gadsby-slams-netflix-over-growing-backlash-against-dave-chappelle-11634310722 |archive-date=2021-10-15 }} The same employee was reportedly responsible for organizing the planned October 20 walkout. A Netflix spokesperson said of the termination: "We understand the employee may have been motivated by disappointment and hurt with Netflix, but maintaining a culture of trust and transparency is core to our company". The information was said to be confidential and commercially sensitive.{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2021 |first=Daniel |last=Arkin |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/netflix-fires-employee-sharing-confidential-information-amid-chappelle-uproar-n1281672 |title=Netflix fires employee for sharing 'confidential' information amid Chappelle uproar |website=NBC News }} Pagels-Minor denied that they leaked sensitive information to the press, however Netflix stated that access records indicated "he was the only employee to access detailed, sensitive data on four titles that later appeared in the press."{{cite web |date=19 October 2021 |last=Koblin |first=John |title=Netflix workers plan a walkout as the fallout over Dave Chappelle continues. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/business/media/netflix-dave-chappelle-employee-walkout.html |website=The New York Times |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211020125429/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/business/media/netflix-dave-chappelle-employee-walkout.html |archive-date=2021-10-20 }} Pagels-Minor and Terra Field filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.[https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/netflix-trans-employees-file-allegations-labor-authority-n1282758 Netflix denies that it retaliated against the two employees who decried its streaming of Dave Chappelle's "The Closer."], NBC News, Oct. 29, 2021{{cite web |date=2021-10-30 |last=Agustin |first=Francis |title=Netflix staffers hit streamer with unfair labor complaint over Dave Chappelle controversy |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-employees-labor-charges-dave-chappelle-controversy-2021-10 |website=Business Insider }} The complaint was later dropped after both parties "resolved their differences" but details were not provided.{{cite web |date=Nov 23, 2021 |last=Sonnemaker |first=Tyler |title=Transgender former Netflix employee drops labor complaint after resigning over Dave Chappelle controversy |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/transgender-netflix-employee-terra-field-resigns-labor-complaint-dave-chappelle-2021-11 |website=Business Insider }}
Accolades
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|15523010}}
{{Dave Chappelle}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album}}
{{Netflix specials}}
{{Stan Lathan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Closer, The}}
Category:American comedy films
Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in film
Category:2021 controversies in the United States
Category:Films shot in Detroit
Category:Transgender-related films
Category:Films directed by Stan Lathan
Category:Works by Dave Chappelle