In a new profile for GQ, Jerrod Carmichael addressed the nature of “cancel culture,” Dave Chappelle, and the fallout with his family after coming out in his intimate comedy special, Rothaniel, which premiered on HBO earlier this year.
During his frank conversation with the magazine, the typically private comedian reflected on the encouraging response from his niece and why he has faith in the younger generation, which led to him opening up about his thoughts on the way certain big-name comedians use the idea of cancel culture as a “boogeyman” scare tactic: “I love this generation. I actually f*ck with them, and f*ck all those comedians that are going so hard against them.”
Though he didn’t initially mention Chappelle by name, it was pretty clear who Carmichael was referencing. Over the past few years, Chappelle has been criticized for continually “joking” about trans people in his stand-up material, including his 2021 Netflix special, The Closer, which prompted a company walkout in protest by the streamer’s LGBTQ employees and allies. When Chappelle took the stage at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this year as part of the Netflix Is A Joke comedy festival, he remarked, “If this is what being canceled is like, I love it,” to the cheers of a sold-out audience.
Related: Billy Eichner absolutely buries Dave Chappelle in new Netflix comedy special
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“Look, I get it. Everybody’s got to create a boogeyman to sell tickets. But it’s not true,” continued Carmichael. “Who’s getting canceled for what they’ve said? What does that mean, that people are mad on Twitter? Everybody’s fine. These grown men are fine.”
But, before long, Carmichael was addressing Chappelle directly, calling him out for continuing to complain about the trans community:
“Do you know what comes up when you Google your name, bro? That’s the legacy? Your legacy is a bunch of opinions on trans shit? It’s an odd hill to die on. And it’s like, hey, bro. Who the fuck are you? Who do you fuck? What do you like to do? Childish jokes aside, who the fuck are you? It’s just kind of played. But he’s choosing to die on the hill. So, alright, let him.”
When Carmichael hosted Saturday Night Live back in April, the comic joked he was “the least famous host in SNL [history],” but his profile’s been on the rise ever since his guest stint on the long-running sketch series and his HBO special were warmly received by critics and audiences.
The newfound attention is not something he’s taking lightly. As he shared with GQ, coming out in Rothaniel has changed him for the better: “I’m not hiding anymore… Once I knew that I had the power to tell the truth and I wasn’t… I had no other choice.”
Dijonaise
I felt the HBO special was cringey and self absorbed to the point I had to turn it off. It was not comedy. I respect what he’s saying, but they had a lot of nerve calling it a comedy special.
Texasholdem
How did you feel about Bo Burnham Inside being called a comedy special by Netflix? It won 3 Emmy awards.
barryaksarben
I lost all respect for Chappelle. He like so many comedians has gotten old and lazy. Punching down is always the first and biggest sign that a comedian has lost their mojo. Even Richard Pryor had a fallow period. Most dont recover after getting fame. It makes them less likely to target the people that made them famous because now they are working with them. Like this guy says “this is what he will be remembered for” Not something most edgy comedians would want to be known for. But hey F**K Dave Chappelle. This “being cancelled” is jut cis guy whining. SO if he was cancelled why do we see so much of him? it is just a childish immature whine
cc423
Well put.
Ronbo
It’s amazing how few people understand that a person’s sex is determined by being born with either female or male parts – ovaries or testicles (and the assorted accoutrements. Their gender and orientation blossom later.
This isn’t a complex thought – unless you are an extremist. And there are certainly extremists everywhere.
The most dangerous element is science-denial. Sex, gender and orientation are 100% real. We are here, we are LGBTQ, get used to it.
DarkZephyr
Its amazing how you refuse to understand that the trans community isn’t denying that sex is real. But you are right about one thing. We are here, we are LGBTQ, including the “T” and maybe you should be the one getting used to it.
barryaksarben
You are obviously not a scientist or anyone with a decent education
michellepfeiffer
I was bummed when the Carmichael Show was cancelled. Loretta Devine was delicious in it.