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Dave Chappelle
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Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos addressed the recent backlash the platform has faced for continuing to stream Dave Chappelle‘s comedy specials despite his proclivity for anti-trans jokes.
During a recent appearance on David Spade and Dana Carvey‘s podcast Fly on the Wall, Sarandos explained his perspective on the role Netflix plays as a streaming library.
“Keep in mind that we try to do a lot of variety because—Netflix itself— people like some shows and not others, that’s why we have so much to watch on Netflix,” Sarandos said. “That’s why we have so much to watch on Netflix, because tastes are really diverse, and certainly within comedy.”
He continued, “The point I was trying to make when people got angry was the idea that if you don’t like that idea, switch it and find another one. Find one you do like.”
At another point in the conversation, Sarandos boldly added, “People like to think about all kinds of diversity except for diversity of thought.”
Chappelle has faced backlash for making jokes about the trans community in his recent comedy specials despite facing continued criticism. In his 2021 special The Closer, Chappelle loudly declared that he’s “Team TERF!” meaning trans-exclusionary radical feminist. He continued this into his 2023 special The Dreamer.
But Sarandos has stood by his side, saying he would order new specials from the comedian “again and again” despite facing backlash from his employees and audiences alike.
On the podcast, Sarandos defended Chappelle’s right as a comedian to share his political opinions.
“I think comedy is one of these places where you should have a pretty open playground to figure out ideas, and ideas have to live through conversation—and I think comedy is a great place to start the conversation,” he said.
Sarandos also confessed that Netflix had been talking to Chappelle for “well over a year” before he signed his massive six-special deal with Netflix, under which he is paid $20 million per special.
