Despite the controversy surrounding his appearance, Dave Chapelle took the stage to host “Saturday Night Live” last night. And he didn’t hold back, per usual. He went in on Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), Kyrie Irving, Herschel Walker, and more. Get into his 15-minute monologue inside…
There was controversy leading up to Dave Chappelle’s “Saturday Night Live” hosting gig, but it didn’t stop the show.
Ahead of his “SNL” episode, some of the show’s writers were reportedly planning to boycott the episode due to Chappelle’s involvement, likely due to his jokes/comments about the transgender community in his Netflix comedy special, The Closer, released last year. Sources told Page Six some writers were furious and were “not going to do the show.” However, TMZ reported that the show’s staff meetings were full during rehearsals last week and that every writer was pitching sketch ideas “as they normally do.”
The show went on as planned, and Dave Chappelle delivered, as he often does.
The Emmy-winning comedian returned to host “SNL” for his third post-election appearance after hosting two episodes after two key elections. You’ll recall, he hosted “SNL” in November 2020 after President Joe Biden was elected president, and he hit the “SNL” stage in November 2016 following the election of then-President Donald Trump.
Chappelle kicked off the popular late-night live TV sketch comedy show with jokes about Ye’s anti-Semitic comments, how NBA star Kyrie Irving got caught up in the controversy, the midterm elections, and how “observably dumb” former NFL player-turned-politician Herschel Walker is in a 15-minute monologue. It felt more like a comedy special than an “SNL” opening.
While he didn’t touch on how folks have been trying to cancel him over transphobic jokes he made, Chappelle did model how to escape being canceled for anti-Semitic comments.
“Before I start tonight, I wanted to read a brief statement that I prepared: ‘I denounce antisemitism in all its forms, and stand with my friends in the Jewish community.’ And that, Kanye, is how you buy yourself some time.”
When Ye gets involved in drama, the 49-year-old comedian says he is usually ready to “pull up immediately.” After Ye said he was going “death con 3” on Jews in a tweet, Chappelle said he decided, “You know what? Let me see what happens first. I was up all night worried: ‘What is he going to do to the Jews?’” he joked.
“I don’t think Kanye is crazy at all. I think he’s possibly not well,” Chappelle said.
Chappelle also joked about Ye’s billionaire status and his appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast.
Watch a clip below:
Dave Chappelle roasts Kanye West during his Saturday Night Live monologue. pic.twitter.com/Xcmoj4ScNG
— Sean Fracek (@seanfracek) November 13, 2022
Chappelle joked about how Ye’s anti-Semitic drama caused Brooklyn Nets baller Kyrie Irving to get caught up in the controversy for simply tweeting the link to a documentary he watched.
As he often does, Chappelle threw in some jokes that had shock value:
”I’ve been to Hollywood, and this is just what I saw: It’s a lot of Jews, like a lot,” Chappelle said as the audience laughed. “But that doesn’t mean anything, you know what I mean? There’s a lot of Black people in Ferguson, Missouri, but that doesn’t mean we run the place.”
Oop.
While most of his monologue was focused on Ye, he eventually moved on to former NFL star-turned-football player Herschel Walker, who faces a runoff election against Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock on Dec. 6th. He called the Black GOP Senate candidate “observably stupid,” adding that he has to think about tic-tac-toe moves. He also called Herschel the “most ominous sign” of the midterms.
Chappelle then turned his attention to former President Donald Trump, sharing that he believes Trump is so popular because he’s an “honest liar.” He also mocked the so-called “End of the Trump Era.”
Check out the clip below:
Dave Chappelle done took that shot at Herschel Walker #SNL pic.twitter.com/A7k2SQ5Vej
— TRY JESUS (@lilwaltjr305) November 13, 2022
At the end of his monologue, Chappelle – who was attacked by a crazed fan with a weapon in May – told the audience he longer enjoys performing in front of large crowds, likely a reference to the controversy surrounding him over his Netflix comedy special.
“It shouldn’t be this scary to talk about anything,” he said. “It makes my job incredibly difficult. I love you to death, and I thank you for your support.”
Get your laugh on when you check out his full 15-minute monologue below:
Too funny.
Donnell Rawlings and Ice-T appeared alongside Chappelle to reprise their characters from “The Playa Haters’ Ball” in a “House of Dragons” skit.
Watch the skit below:
Chappelle’s classic Rick James character also made a guest appearance:
Before the episode aired, Ice-T took to Twitter to address people trying to cancel him for appearing on “SNL” alongside Chappelle:
Somebody said they’re gonna CANCEL me after doing SNL with Dave Chappelle.. LOL! These MFs have been trying to Cancel me for over 30yrs!
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) November 12, 2022
”Somebody said they’re gonna CANCEL me after doing SNL with Dave Chappelle.. LOL! These MFs have been trying to Cancel me for over 30yrs!,” tweeted Ice-T.
During promos…
Chappelle was joined by Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey of musical guest Black Star.
Check out Black Star’s performance below:
Thank you, Dave Chappelle, Black Star, @madlib, @donnellrawlings, and @FINALLEVEL! Goodnight! pic.twitter.com/0CMVYHRELc
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 13, 2022
Funny times!
Photos: Will Heath/Rosalind O’Connor/NBC
