Dave Chappelle brought up AIDS during his SNL monologue over the weekend, and people were understandably divided.
Many did not see the humor:
AIDS jokes.
Not funny in the 1980s.
Not funny now. pic.twitter.com/7T0g8hu4jA— Matthew Hodson (@Matthew_Hodson) November 9, 2020
nice to see that AIDS is deemed relevant in the current moment in the context of a (terrible) joke pic.twitter.com/8EIbjqIZog
— Jack King (@jackarking) November 8, 2020
Sorry… Did this 'joke' just air in 2020? @nbcsnl @nbc @DaveChappelle pic.twitter.com/r4PK8bLE9t
— Dan Ellis (@dgellis0907) November 9, 2020
Cool, it’s 2020, and “jokes” about Freddie Mercury contracting AIDS are funny again; a joke made with the unspoken presumption that he was a man having a lot of sex with men, so of course he got AIDS. Yep, hilarious, Dave Chappelle and #SNL. Thanks for that.
— Tim Teeman (@TimTeeman) November 8, 2020
Watching @nbcsnl yesterday I couldn’t believe I was seeing someone make an AIDS joke in 2020.
I didn’t tweet immediately as I wasn’t sure quite how to express my reaction.
32m dead, 38m of us living with HIV today.
This is NOT ok @DaveChappelle / @nbc.pic.twitter.com/C5O4VhB8GO
— Tom trying to stay PositiveLad (@PositiveLad) November 9, 2020
and with one Dave Chappelle Freddy Mercury AIDS "joke" all of my optimism fades away.
— (((Kenny Mellman))) (@kennymellman) November 8, 2020
We want to know what you think…
A. Is Dave out of bounds?
B. Or is comedy just comedy?
Here’s the full monologue:
How about we take this to the next level?
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WashDrySpin
Dave is currently NOT that funny…in the past he was HILARIOUS
AxelDC
No, Chappelle looked like he lost his magic 15 years ago. Can’t he stop smoking for 90 minutes?
MISTERJETT
just because AIDS was mentioned in the joke doesn’t make it an AIDS joke. Freddie mercury was mentioned as well and it wasn’t a Freddie Mercury joke either.
dic.sicle
This has got to be one of the dumbest comment in the history of comments for sure.
WashDrySpin
So many internet idiots…
Dave ridiculed gay people and AIDS
tjack47
I winced when I heard it, but it had context. At least, I know he’s a controversial comic. POTUS isn’t so much responsible for Herman Caine’s death as Herman Caine was. Superspreader in chief, though.
SeanF
There was context. Comics are by definition dangerous truth tellers and we need to allow them more room than others in their language.
sardonically_amused
Thank you. Anyone who has seen Dave Chapelle before knows to expect controversy. It’s what I love about him.
Donston
At this point Chappelle isn’t “controversial”. Only folks looking to be upset would get mad at his “jokes”. The issue with Chappelle is that he no longer seems comfortable on stage. He has lost most of his vitality. And a lot of his “outrageous” humor just comes off lame or dated. Chappelle was never a great standpoint comic. People loved him for his skits, his energy and his insight. But he’s flailing on that front as well. He’ll always be given some grace because of The Chappelle Show, but he ain’t got it anymore.
Donston
I’m not here for the outrage police. But I did find his appearance disappointing. More than anything, the joke was just cheesy. A Freddie Mercury joke in 2020? The Chappelle Show will always be one of the comedy highlights of television. But Dave has definitely lost his verve and wit. Now, he’s mostly for people who get up for saying “controversial” stuff, even if there’s no wit or insight or actual punchline. However, that represents a lot modern comics. It’s just a shame because Chappelle used to be Fire, at least in his skits. Even his skits on SNL were lifeless. Oh well.
trsxyz
I felt that it was a pretty uncomfortable monologue all round.
Cam
He seemed uncomfortable, and I was surprised that he kept interrupting the flow to smoke which was distracting. I thought the joke was something that he wrote a long LONG time ago. It seemed like he was going for some minor shock value.
slinky49
I don’t watch SNL, so, obvi, didn’t see Dave Chappelle’s monologue until social media pointed at it. Whatever you think about Dave’s joke, it has everybody talking about Dave. Great mileage out of one joke, I’d say. Keep talking about him. He’ll love it.
drmiller
Love Dave. Loved his monologue and watched it several times. He will always be hilarious to me. I honestly bet Freddie would have laughed himself if he’d heard it. Get over it wvery
trsxyz
Agree that Freddie would probably have laughed over that joke himself.
barryaksarben
I thought he nailed the race jokes and pointing out the hypocrisy of AMerican whites HOWEVER the AIDS joke was the low point and he should know better. People of color are NOT the only ones who have been treated unfairly and for him to diminish our struggle was horrible. Too bad as I again I thought his insights into racial prejudices were strong and funny but he lost me with the TONE DEAF AIDS joke. It is 2020 for fK sake. Black comics seem to think their homophobia is okay, IT IS NOT
G-Man
I would have to agree with you.
Jake123
I thought it was a great opening. And I think some of his jokes highlighted truths that many in America need to hear!!
Donston
He gets a lot of credit for supposedly saying things others won’t. But that doesn’t make someone a good comedian. I just think a lot of people (including “Liberals”) get off on not being “snowflakes”. It doesn’t matter if there’s actually wit there or not. They just like not being “sensitive”. The dude did spend an extensive amount of his last standup special going at “queers” but with no real wit or insight. And many gave him a pass just because of the “outrageousness” of it all. I find the “anti-snowflakes” just as lame and exhausting as the outrage police. That whole monologue was sentimental, awkward and lifeless. While he was pretty terrible in his skits. And that has nothing to do with being offended by anything. The actual funny thing is that he’s gotten a lot of safer in his comedy, but people get hype over a silly, witless, “controversial” joke here and there.
ldweisberg
Bye, Felicia – time for you to go away again… did anyone actually ask you to come back?
Dijonaise
Hi entire monolog was boring and preachy, not very funny. He is pretty full of himself.
cuteguy
Black ppl are some of the most homophobic ppl out there, despite knowing the effect of being discriminated against. It’s sad but true.
Goforit
Do you really not see the irony of your comment? You are being just as racist as he is being homophobic.
Kangol2
‘White ppl are some of the most homophobic ppl out there, and have no idea what the effects of being discriminated against are. It’s sad but true.”
There, fixed that hateful comment for you, racist creep.
BTW, Black people en masse yet again voted for the people who’ll PROTECT your rights and equality as a racist White gay man. A majority of White people voted for the people who are still working hard to take them away. When will racists gays like you ever wake TF up?
Cam
That’s interesting, because nearly all of those Republicans trying to attack us are White. The Vice President who nearly tanked his states economy to attack LGBTQ people is White. Trump who appoints anti-LGBTQ judges is white, the judges he appointed who are attacking us are nearly all white.
But nice try.
cuteguy
Why do you think black ppl wouldn’t support Pete Buttigieg? Bc he’s GAY! They only believe in BLM, not GLM. It’s not racist if it’s reality. I wish that wasn’t the case. Black ppl used to always say that gay ppl could hide their sexuality and they couldn’t hide their race. Educate yourself. I truly hope they become allies one day. And FYI, they only support Dems bc it helps them, they can care less about gay ppl.
Cam
@cuteguy
Translation: You can’t respond to any points, so just blather out the same rac-ist B.S. you do under all of your other screenames.
cuteguy
@Cam
It’s pretty ironic you cannot respond to any points bc you know it’s true. Why didn’t black ppl support Buttigieg? Go ahead and repeat the extreme leftist garbage that cost us seats in the house. I’m not a Republican, far from it. But everyone is blaming “defund the police” as the reason there wasn’t a blue wave. So continue to live with your head in the sand and it will be ignorant ppl like you that will allow another Donald Chump in the future again
nm4047
did not realise that Chappell was still even around. Glad he is keeping his material fresh, reference the death of a man that died nearly 30 years ago. I’m kind of guessing SNL equally appeals to the generation that Chappell did/does.
Rock Star
Dave’s not here.
johnnymcmxxx
Comedy is best when it’s irreverent. Does anyone know who Lenny Bruce is? Is your knowledge of history lacking? People are too eager to be offended. I thought the joke was hilarious. I don’t think any topic is sacred & it’s all fodder for comedy. Sorry if you’re offended but please move on. You’re a bore.
barryaksarben
His race jokes were on point but the AIDS joke was 20 years too old and just not that funny and if it isnt funny it is offensive
scotty
thank you mask man
wiredpup
Once he “apologizes” the sheep will forgive him and move on ie, Chris Rock, Terry Crews.
Dick Gozinia
I was a little shocked that he likened Freddy Mercury and AIDS to Trump and COVID. In those days Freddy didn’t necessarily know that his behavior could cause him to be infected with AIDS. Trump was a dumba** who deliberately engaged in behavior that infected him. Freddy died, he wasn’t hated by half of America and his legacy is a catalogue of iconic music. Trump did not die, he IS hated and his legacy is a nation that will be deeply divided for years to come. Freddy was a victim; Trump is a victimizer. It was a bad joke and a bad analogy.
Jeffrey Matthews
It wasn’t offensive. It wasn’t funny either.
rarediel
His joke was on point. Drugs and sex parties does not make Freddy Mercury a victim. We are seeing a spread of STI’s in the gay community because people are again having unprotected sex. There are gay circuit parties that are happening all over the place during covid. You can go on social media and find many examples of gay democrats partying.
Chrisk
Troll needs to do better.
Cam
Except all of the videos are pretty much Republicans at rallies.
If you’re going to troll, try doing it on a site where people don’t follow the news.
rarediel
I personally know many democrats who went to those parties. You are a fool to think that dick has a political party.
rarediel
so weho parties are all republicans, got it. Please cite your sources. Like I said earlier I know many people going to parties who are not republican.
rarediel
I love how you both ignore the FACT that STIs are on the rise in the gay community. People are shunning condom use.
kdhain12
Hilarious. Now do a slave joke and be sure to use the N word for maximum effect. Tired, trashy and reeked of cigarette smoke. Go back to Ohio.
frenchjr25
Of all people we should know how to take a joke. And AIDS no longer has the same level of stigma attached to it as it once did.
rarediel
People here can take a dick but can’t take a joke, its pretty funny.
Harley
Dave’s entire monologue was BORING!!!! Didn’t even illicit a smile from me. And the smoking was just ugly.
Kangol2
It was a terrible, homophobic joke, and while I get that Dave Chappelle thought he was being provocative, it fell as flat as a lead anvil. But the monologue did have some good moments. In general, as he’s gotten richer he’s lost a step. When he came out four years ago on SNL and asked for us to give the racist, lying psychopathic traitor Don the Con a chance, I knew something had changed. He backed off that, but as he has said at other times, he’s got tons of money and he identifies with rich people, even as White people still give him hell at times. Chris Rock is basically on the same wavelength these days.
Liquid Silver
I watched the joke, muttered a few well-chosen words that noted the not at all amusing hypocrisy, and wrote him off that quickly.
It’s a hypocrisy he himself is completely blind to, and the typical culprits will remain blind to for as long as it’s useful. Forever, in other words, as it’s a great excuse.
Other than that, what’s to say?
Chrisk
Smug and not funny.
TheDefiler
That was really just the tip of the iceberg. The whole monologue was X-ist — it restricted the universe to str8 men only animated by conflict of white vs black. No mention, e.g., that a woman finally entered the US Executive. But why would he? In Chapelle world, women aren’t worthy of consideration.
I used to like him, but this was disgusting.
CityguyUSA
No, I’m not OK with it. It was truly tasteless. I can see with the surrounding commentary how he might have thought it would be ok. Look we all have moments where something stupid comes out of our mouths but Trump has him beat easily for sticking his foot in his mouth almost daily. I’d prefer a Trump apology instead. BTW what country is he moving to?
Peter
I’ve never found him funny — and I still don’t. AIDS stole friends from me, so this joke…
Michael007
I tuned into SNL for the first time in many months, thinking that the post-election would give them GOLDEN opportunities for jokes at the expense of both sides. The entire show was flat and not funny. Beside Chapelle being a tasteless flop, I noticed SNL/NBC filled the audience with ultra-left liberals and they hooted and cheered for every little inane and stupid ‘joke’. SNL has lost that objective they started out with decades ago which pricked the skin of every political construct. They have lost me again for being a viewer.
Cam
Except under your other screenames you’ve said the exact same thing about SNL every single time they have Alec Baldwin on playing Trump.
You’re boring, Troll.
cuteguy
Why do you think black ppl didn’t support Pete Buttigieg in the primaries? Bc he’s GAY! Is it any surprise that a black comedian is homophobic? Eddie Murphy used to be one the most homophobic ppl out there until it didn’t behoove him to do so anymore, then he gave a lame apology to help his career. Black ppl will never vote someone like a Pete Buttigieg solely Bc he’s GAY. Sad but true
Cam
Still here under this screename attacking black people.
It’s so nice when you Republican trolls make your rac-ism so obvious.
michael_bates
Dave is a brilliant comedian who does not owe any apology or explanation for the joke. It’s his brutal honesty and in your face delivery that has people uncomfortable. OMG he said this … you laugh and then you see others comments and you jump on the “cancel” bandwagon. Its funny that everyone is upset about that joke when they probably would have been those individuals screaming Freddy come out of closet at the end when AIDS have ravaged him. This is not about the joke its about those who have gone so far to their right that their mindset has become those of the right … lets just say what cancel culture really is … “Censorship”. Comedy is about pushing the envelope and all you want to do is rip it up and “whitewash” the delivery to your liking.
Godabed
I’m not a snowflake I got the joke, was it funny that’s relative. No I’m not offended by it.
Dez
ahahahaha omg Freddie Mercury was gay… so OF COURSE he had aids!!! HILARIOUS!!
…
So Dave Chapelle is still a closet case? Only someone with deep homosexual tendencies focuses as much on gay people as Dave does.
When he had his little mental break years ago and disappeared to Africa…. he should have stayed.
artguy1000
I thought his monologue was horrible – too long, too serious, mean spirited, self indulgent AND NOT FUNNY! Totally wrong choice for that particular day of Biden’s win. Oh well.
Mr C
Please learn context, Thanks!
mailliw110
Maybe he should have used Magic Johnson instead of Freddy Mercury?