Jon Stewart & Jerry Seinfeld Speak Out on Dave Chappelle’s ‘SNL’ Monologue
On Tuesday’s episode of The Late Show with Steven Colbert, Jon Stewart joined his former Daily Show co-star and friend to discuss the recent controversy surrounding Dave Chappelle‘s monologue on Saturday Night Live.
Speaking plainly, he acknowledged his longtime friendship with Chappelle, before noting that he doesn’t think censorship is the way to help people with hostile views learn and grow.
“Comedy is reductive. We play with tropes because everyone has prejudices in their lives and the way they view things,” he said. “And comics rely on those prejudices as a shorthand for our material. Even the wokest of comics play with tropes to a certain extent.”
He proposed that anti-Semitism should be dealt with in a straightforward manner, or “we will never gain any kind of understanding with each other.”
“Dave said something in the SNL monologue that I thought was constructive, which he says, ‘It shouldn’t be this hard to talk about things,'” he continued. “Look, I can’t pretend that there aren’t a s**t ton of people, in this country and this world, who believe that the Jews have an unreasonable amount of control over the systems.
“I’m called anti-Semitic because I’m against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians,” he said. “I’m called other things from other people based on other opinions that I have, but those shut down debate. They’re used as a cudgel. And whether it be comedy or discussion or anything else, if we don’t have the wherewithal to meet each other with what’s reality, then how do we move forward?”
He’s not Chappelle’s only comedy peer chiming in. Jerry Seinfeld, who featured Chappelle on his show Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, and in his new 10th anniversary book, was asked for his thoughts on the controversy in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
While he was much less verbose, his comments weren’t as generous as Stewart’s.
“I did think the comedy was well-executed, but I think the subject matter calls for a conversation that I don’t think I’d want to have in this venue,” he noted. “It provokes a conversation which hopefully is productive.”
When asked if he would have that conversation with Chappelle personally, as a friend, he replied, “I don’t have a close relationship with him. We’re friends and it’s not a close relationship.”
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Sick of everyone getting their baby feelings hurt. If the joke didn't impact your daily life or your wallet, what's your damage?
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Jon acknowledged his friendship with Dave while Jerry acknowledged being friendly with Dave. The conversations I have with my friends are very different from the conversations I have with colleagues. I get it. Maybe the personalities of Jon & Jerry explain why 1 is a friend & the other is a colleague.
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RT., Even The way People behave & speak To a Male friend, rather than How they behave & speak to Female Friends (and Colleagues)... The Things, tone & Vernacular, I say to my parents are Not the SAME way I Speak to colleagues at work ,or Friends on the Conner! .. Good POINT 👍
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So Seinfeld says Chappelle provoked a conversation but Seinfeld doesn’t wanna have it. Haha. Seems like someone got offended.
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He's just saying that the comic stage isn't the venue to have the conversation because comedy often relies on stereotyping.
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Jon Stewart had a much more favorable opinion which he provided openly. Don't forget he is also Jewish.
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...and?
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I think we should get 2 comedians from every walk of life and have a discussion on race, gender, religion, inequality, anything in today's discussion of current events.
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How is it anti-semitic when he pointed out the fact that Jewish people make up a high percentage of Hollywood despite being such a small percentage of our population in the U.S?
Like it or not some groups of people look out for their own. I've seen this in the African American community, in the gay community, and even Asian postal workers in the SF Bay Area. This mentality is wrong regardless of who is doing the discrimination.
I'm a minority and I've personally been overlooked for promotion twice because the color of my skin was different from the executive leadership. Both times they promoted someone from their race.
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Is this the same Seinfeld with zero blacks on his show throwing stones at Dave? Interesting 🤔
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Jackie Chiles the lawyer was black
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So in all the years of that show and one token blk lol don't forget Kramer and his racist bs
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George had a black friend in one episode.
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Kramer’s lawyer, Jackie.
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Remind Kramer of that before his racist outburst in 2006. Calling people the N word and saying "50 years ago my people would have you upside down with a fork up your a**es."
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I think tokenism might do more harm than good. I don't believe a regular, black character on Seinfeld would prompt anyone to think, "Oh, there's a black person on Seinfeld . . . maybe I should change my racist views of African-Americans." That a work of fiction doesn't have characters representing every color of the rainbow is common and realistic. You don't have to be black to be offended by racism, nor Jewish to be offended by anti-Semitism. I didn't find Chapelle's monologue to be offensive. I think his point was that performers are walking a razor's edge today when the topic is race or ethnicity. The outrage following his monologue pretty much confirms his comments.
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It is an all jewish show, diversity is not allowed.
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Sara Silverman joked that she only liked babies so she was thinking of adopting babies with terminal illnesses. Funny is funny. Comedians should be allowed free range to joke about anything. Period.
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It’s New York City in the 90’s. How do you not have any comedian friends? How do you not run into people of color? It made no sense that most shows had no blacks in them. I thought that back then as well.
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I agree & disagree. Moving from state to state within the USA. I’ve lived in cities that are diverse in whole but are segregated based on geographical region within the city. The south appears to be a huge culprit in the separate but equal category but they are definitely not the only or the most prolific characters.
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What Stephen did in response to Jon's first-person viewpoint on the solution (which Stephen ASKED for) is a big problem we have, which is; 1:The groups who are being stereotyped/raced are not nearly as offended as other people who get offended FOR them (wat?) And 2: Instead of considering what intelligent people from those groups are saying is the solution, these outside forces are trying to race-splain what should ACTUALLY be done. Not saying Stephen shouldn't have an opinion, but he seemed to disregard what Jon was saying. Why ask what should be done, as though you value their opinion, when you know you're just going to toss it if it is disagreeable with yours?
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Seinfeld has said in the past, “Stereotypes are funny because they’re usually true…..”. I think Chapelle is brilliant and loved the stand-up (er, monologue).
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Well if stereotypes are true where does that leave me? I'm Black. But: I don't have an army of kids and "babymommas" I have three grown kids in their 20s and early 30s. I have an ex-wife I was with for almost 4 years. I have a current wife that I have been with since 95. Side note stereotype: we met in college in Manhattan, she was 23 and ZERO kids! Shocking! I like fried chicken (who doesn't) but would choose pizza instead) I am a veteran so I am PRO-MILITARY (within reason) and PRO-LAW ENFORCEMENT (as long as they don't abuse their power) I don't know how to play basketball, I don't even know the rules. I can't dance and I am not fast.
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Not "always" true, "usually" true. What is always are exceptions. There are always exceptions to the rule, the stereotype, and the generalization. I'd bet dollars to donuts that there is a Black stereotype that you do match. Just as there are stereotypes that I match, but, I don't match every stereotype. Doesn't make the stereotypes any more or less true.
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bro a stereotype doesn't mean it applies universally to everyone. it usually does mean there's a familiar overriding theme but not all stereotypes are true either. chill.
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How can anyone in America not know how to play basketball? Did you not go to school? No one ever played basketball in the military? Ive never even met a foreigner who didnt know how to play basketball. I don't care what race you are, that is mind blowing.
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Though both these comedians were diplomatic with their comments, neither really spoke their truth on the matter. Stewart has worked hard recently against anti Black racism, and for that I applaud him. Seinfeld was interestingly very supportive of Michael Richards after his ridiculous N word tirade, yet dismissive of Chappelle's (anything but antisemitic) monologue.
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Like he said, he and Chappelle were not close friends... He worked with Richards for like 9 years.
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I think Dave Chappelle's potato hole was the funniest skit I've seen in a decade.
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The hell with censorship. So, to hell with those that "canx" others.
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Jews are just smarter and more motivated than other races, sucks for everybody else, what are u gonna do put them in concentration camps? Obviously that didn't work.
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Chappelle did what he does, made thought provoking edgy comedy. What when he does it about racism (see Black KKK skit or Jessie Smolet bit) it's fine because he's black?
The idea that he's "normalizing" anti-Semitism is ridiculous. Borch belt comedians have a decades long tradition of playing up supposed Jewish stereotypes.
No one believes Chappelle is an anti-Semite. That's what should matter. Feigning indignation for effect is dishonest and counterproductive. There are millions of real bigots in this country, some of them hold positions of influence, THAT is something to worry about.
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I think what is usually called "hate speech" is simply free speech that leftists hate.
We have seen this over and over. As tame as this post is it would not surprise me to see it banned.
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Dave is brilliant. He never sold out. Everyone is ultra sensitive these days. Can’t tie your shoe without offending someone. Get over it!
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After Reading, Seems Some of You haven't Traveled very much; Ireland, Middle East, Africa, Israel, and Even Asian Countries All Have a Dislike for One Religion (or Tribe, for Lack of a more Common Term), Or other People's Rituals (ie. American Indians) ! Since We we're Caveman, We've been Distrustful of The Tribe (say) With "Red Hair",or Lighter/ Darker Skin, Even Taller/Smaller (David & Goliath)! My point is Since The "Dawn of Man" We as Humans are Hard Wired to Be Distrustful of People that are Different from Each other!! And Others are Learned Experience , I'm Sure ; Persians & Greeks ,
Spanish & Inca's, ..ect!
God Help Us All to be More Tolerant ? Peace ✌️ OUT!
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If you don't like what is happening around you, change your location, if you don't like seeing what's going on close your eyes, if you don't like hearing it, turn it off. But don't whine and cry because others don't want to hear that either, and it instigates dissention in our perfect world of Jews, Africans, Americans, Yiddish, German, Transvestite, Homosexuals, Heterosexuals, Babies, Dogs, Cats, Dragonflies, Whales, Fish, Peanuts, Potatoes, Steaks, Gum, Trees, Quartz, Silver, Platinum, Plutonium, Swimming Pools, Screen, Tile, Buses, Locomotives, Children, Pheasants, whatever you can think of you need to not waste time on stupid things other people do or say.
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I'm proud to be who I am, and no matter what you say or do you cannot change that fact. If you are not proud of who you are then cry whine and be a little bi@# but don't let someone else's words hurt you babygirl!!
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Have to respect everyone's opinion, but I guess I won't be watching Seinfeld as much. I'd rather watch actual comedy than "What's with airline stewardesses?" crappy comedy. But he can make an episode of him and Kramer stomping on a Puerto Rican flag. Kramer, a racist who on record yelled racial epithets at black people... Hypocrite.
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I think the problem was that these tropes were said by a Black person abt. another race and it kept going for a long time.
If a white comedian had said equal tropes abt. Black people that individual would have been canceled immediately.
This is reality. Comedians can make jokes abt. their own culture. Not someone else’s. And if they choose to do so they usually do a 1 liner. Not 1/3 of their routine.
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I agree that the problem is that the statements were made by a Black person. Chappelle simply made statements of fact. Fact: Lots of Jews in charge in Hollywood. Fact: Jews have gone through a lot, but they can't blame Blacks for it. That said, there are plenty of white comedians who go well beyond one liners when telling jokes about Black people. Gary Owen, Louis C.K., Dustin Nickerson, the late Ralphie, etc. They make honestly funny observations
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Sorry but I love Dave and used to think he was funny....lately I see him as just another black angry comedian.... Mad that God made them black, when they should be proud of that fact... And quit blaming whites for it ...stand up for being black thank God for it and move on.. .
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What this issue reveals is just how ignorant people really are when it comes to what the bible very clearly reveals. Things I have come into the knowledge of after nearly 40 yrs. of study and research. The true descendants of the ancient Hebtrew Israelites were to be carried off into slavery, scattered to all four corners of the earth, lose their identity and not see the land of their forefathers again until Christ return at which time he would gather them together throughout all the lands into which they've been scattered to return them home., Back to Israel. And He hasn't returned yet has he? And also in the later days which we are now clearly in one would be able to identify the true descendants of the ancient Hebrew ISraelites by the curses they would still be under found in Deuteronomy 28: 15 -68.
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Amen.
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What this issue reveals is that too many people are ignorant to the fact that the Bible was written by a bunch of dudes thousands of years ago and then reinterpreted again and again and again and those men were definitely fallible no matter where the message originally came from. 🤡
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Remember when Gandalf fought the Balrog? Man that was amazing.
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What does that have to do with show business and aren’t all Jews welcome in Israel right now? I’m a fan of the Bible but I don’t see the relevance to the issue at hand.
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I think jon Stuart is out of his mind. Keep anti semitism buried. Letting it have air breathes life into it. It won't change anyone's mind. For a supposedly smart man you sounded like an idiotd, jon.
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God granted the Jews the power and love they have and I'm not going against God's wishes...if this bothers you turn it off. I'm not a Jew I'm a Christian granted the same salvation thru Jesus Christ
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The Jewish people are in the positions there in because there blessed by God and they have worked for it.
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So Jon, what should be done? It's been reported that Chapelle lied to SNL about the material he was going to use, so does THAT get him penalized? How much bull are we supposed to take from him and comedians who use bigotry as a comedic tool? It's hate speech regardless of how you want to parse it. I found none of his monologue remotely humorous. Do you like hearing your friend disparage your people? I don't.
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Question:
Why didn't they STOP,make adjustments,and yank his ass off the show right there and then?🤔
Did something OVERRIDE that decision?$
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