The decision was recently made to make Dave Chappelle the host of Saturday Night Live this coming weekend. However, there appears to be trouble, as SNL writers have allegedly started a boycott to have Dave Chappelle removed as the host.
As noted via Page Six, they were told “that some staff writers are so furious that the comedy superstar — who has made transphobic and homophobic jokes — has been chosen to helm the iconic show that they’re sitting out the episode.” And while these writers are said to be keeping out of the episode, they did note that “none of the actors are boycotting.”
While this is certainly a bad sign for Dave Chappelle, this report regarding SNL should still be taken with a grain of salt. They insisted that his reputation claimed “there was nothing to suggest that there was a boycott when they attended writers’ meetings this week.” As such, we’ll just have to see how this situation develops. If Chappelle successfully hosts SNL this weekend, which he’s intended to do with musical guest Black Star, it will be his third time hosting the show. Of course, his previous effort was in 2020 – a year before Netflix’s special The Closer which many felt was a transphobic event.
After stating that “there was no evidence of a boycott,” Chappelle’s representative continues to say that “the room was full of writers. They all pitched ideas and they seemed very excited about it…. Dave is looking to have some fun.” With that in mind, Page Six also stated SNL writer Celeste Yim reportedly wrote the following on their Instagram Stories:
“I’m trans and non-binary. I use they/them pronouns. Transphobia is murder and it should be condemned.”
Of course, there is nothing to indicate that Celeste Yim is referring to Chappelle or that he’ll be boycotting the show. As such, it looks like we won’t know for sure what’s happening until this weekend. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any potential updates on this situation as we have them.