Dave Chappelle 'refuses' to let attack overshadow comedy set, Netflix issues statement

Streaming giant Netflix has issued a statement after comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage while performing a comedy set during the streaming giants Netflix Is a Joke festival hereAccording to Variety a spokesperson for Netflix said We care deeply about the safety of creators and we strongly defend the right of standup comedians to perform on stage without fear of violenceVideo footage circulated during Chappelles comedy set showing a man rushing on to the stage and tackling the performer to the ground Chappelle has been performing a number of dates at the Hollywood Bowl in the last monthThe attacker was seen getting up and trying to run off stage before he was caught and tackled by what appeared to be security personnel and members of Chappelles team reports VarietyA spokesperson for Chappelles production company also issued a statement in the aftermath of the attack Dave Chappelle celebrated four nights of comedy and music setting recordbreaking sales for a comedian at the Hollywood BowlThis run ties Chappelle with Monty Python for the most headlined shows by any comedian at the Hollywood Bowl reaching 70k fans of diverse backgrounds during the first Netflix Is A Joke The Festival and he refuses to allow last nights incident to overshadow the magic of this historic momentAs unfortunate and unsettling as the incident was Chappelle went on with the show the statement addsJamie Foxx and Chris Rock helped calm the crowd with humour before Chappelle introduced the last and featured musical guests for the evening hiphop artists Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli aka Black Star who performed music from their new album the first in nearly 24 years which was released on LuminaryOther special comedic guests last night included Earthquake Leslie Jones Jeff Ross Sebastian Jon Stewart and Michelle WolfChappelle is fully cooperating with the active police investigation into this incidentPolice arrested Isaiah Lee 23 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon according to NBC Los Angeles He was allegedly carrying a replica gun that could discharge a knife blade and is suspected of tackling comedian Chappelle on stage Tuesday night Hes being held on 30000 bailChappelle has been a controversial figure recently due to several Netflix comedy specials in which he made jokes about transgender people His 2021 Netflix special The Closer led to company walkouts and protests last OctoberNetflix coCEO Ted Sarandos originally defended Chappelle saying in statement that the comedian is one of the most popular standups today and as with our other talent we work hard to support their creative freedom even though this means there will always be content on Netflix some people believe is harmfulSarandos ultimately said he screwed up in his reaction to the Chappelle backlashChappelles attack took place just over a month after Will Smith took to the Oscars stage to slap presenter Chris Rock who was in attendance at Chappelles Netflix show reportedly came on stage after the attack and said Was that Will SmithThe Netflix Is a Joke comedy festival kicked off April 28 and runs through May 8This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever