Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, publicly supported Dave Chappelle when the comedian took to stage to introduce Jay-Z to the 36th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Introduction Ceremony.
‘I would like to apologize…nah, I’m just f***ing with y’all,’ Chappelle said as he began his speech in reference to the controversial transgender jokes he made in his most recent Netflix special The Closer, according to Rolling Stone.
He went on to praise Jay-Z and ended by saying: ‘And I am honored to be the n***a that gets to say, “My n***a, welcome to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ before hugging the producer and going backstage to give a beaming Sarandos a handshake.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, publicly supported Dave Chappelle (pictured), as the comedian introduced Jay-Z at the 36th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Introduction ceremony
Chappelle was present at the awards ceremony in order to introduce Jay-Z, the man of the hour. ‘And I am honored to be the n***a that gets to say, “My n***a, welcome to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,’ he said as he hugged the Hall of Fame inductee
Ted Sarandos, Netflix CEO and co-CEO, has publicly supported Chapelle ever since his comedy special debuted earlier this month on the platform. He was pictured with Chapelle in yet another public show support.
Sarandos (right) snapped a photo backstage with Chappelle, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland with Dave Grohl (left), as part of a public support show.
Sarandos, in a public show support, also took a photograph with Chappelle backstage at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, Ohio. She was seen laughing candidly at the comedian as they spoke.
He even hugged Nicole Avant, the former US Ambassador to The Bahamas, Sarandos.
The co-CEO has supported Chappelle since The Closer was released on the platform and has said that Netflix ‘was working hard to ensure marginalized communities aren’t defined by a single story’ specifically noting ‘we have Sex Education, Orange Is the New Black, Control Z, Hannah Gadsby and Dave Chappelle all on Netflix. This is possible by increasing diversity within the content team.
Sarandos addressed the anger of his employees over Netflix’s decision not to stream The Closer via an email companywide.
Sarandos sent the email to Variety, stating that he knew that many of you were disappointed, upset, and hurt by our decision.
During a conversation, Netflix’s co-CEO was candidly seen laughing at the comedian.
As they had a very friendly interaction, Chappelle hugged Sarandos and his wife, former US Ambassador to The Bahamas Nicole Avant.
‘I would like to apologize…nah, I’m just f***ing with y’all,’ Chappelle said as he began his speech in reference to the controversial trans jokes he made in his most recent Netflix special The Closer
“The Closer” understands that the concern isn’t about offensive-to some content but titles that could increase real world harm (such a further marginalization of already marginalized groups, hatred, etc.).
“Last Year, we heard similar concerns regarding 365 Days of Violence Against Women. Although some employees may disagree, we believe that the content on screen does not directly translate into real-world harm.
Sarandos supported Chappelle at Saturday’s event, just days after two transgender Netflix employees filed labor complaints against the company alleging that they were retaliated against because they raised concerns about Chappelle’s controversial comedy special streaming on Netflix.
Terra Field and B Pagels-Minor filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against Netflix. They claimed that Netflix tried to prevent employees from speaking out about working conditions, and Netflix’s commitment towards creating a safe environment.
Pagels-Minor was a black transgender person who was also a program manager. She was accused of leaking the multimillion-dollar salary Chappelle received for The Closer. Field, a software engineer was one of three employees suspended for trying to join a high-ranking meeting. Both identify as transgender.
B Pagels -Minor (left), and Terra Field (right), both transgender men, are bringing unfair labor practice claims against Netflix. They allege that Netflix retaliated against them speaking out against Dave Chappelle’s controversial comedy special The Closer.
Netflix has continued its support for Chappelle and his comedy special, which he released on the streaming service October 5.
Netflix employees staged an occupation on October 20 in protest of Chappelle’s comedy special
Pgels Minor has denied that she shared the confidential information that Netflix paid $24.1 Million for The Closer. Field was reinstated after she confirmed that there was no ill intent in her attending the QBR meeting.
Chappelle’s jokes in The Closer have caused controversy. He asserts that ‘gender’ is a fact and criticizes the trans community for being thin-skinned.
Pagels-Minor and Field both filed the charges with the NLRB. The NLRB will investigate the allegations and decide if a settlement is possible or if a complaint can issued.
After a settlement is reached, both parties can be repaid with backpay. The company will have to post a notice stating that workers are allowed to engage on protected activities.
Both of these outcomes are extremely important.
Pagels Minor organized an earlier employee walkout at Sunset Boulevard to protest the comedian’s controversial content in his Netflix comedy special. By 7 p.m. that evening, they were all out of work.
They also pointed out the unplanned release of Chappelle’s Netflix special during LGBTQ+ history month, one day before Matthew Shepard’s anniversary.
“The ERG could suggest that the special not be released during October, LGBTQ+ history month.
“Perhaps they could not have done it on October 5, which is the day before the anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s brutal death at University of Wyoming. Matthew Shepard was a University of Wyoming student who died in Laramie, Texas on the night of Oct. 6, 1997. He was beaten, tortured, and left to bleed to death.
According to his contract, The Closer is the third and final special Chappelle will produce on Netflix. The Closer has received 96 per cent positive reviews from Rotten Tomatoes viewers, but only 43 per cent from woke critics.
Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, stated to staff that the company was ‘on-the right side of history’ in streaming and promoting Dave Chappelle’s controversial comedy special.
Reed Hastings (left), and Sarandos, Netflix’s coCEOs, have both defended The Closer. Hastings stated that streaming The Closer was a decision made ‘on the right side’ of history, while Sararndos argued that ‘that content onscreen doesn’t directly translate into real-world harm’