Oop! Some writers for the comedy sketch show, ‘Saturday Night Live,’ are allegedly not here for Dave Chappelle hosting the show.
Last week, ‘SNL’ announced that Chappelle is hosting this week’s episode along with musical guest Black Star.
According to Page Six, a few staff writers have opted out of being involved with the episode.
“They’re not going to do the show,” an insider told the publication. “But none of the actors are boycotting.”
However, a rep for the comedian debunked the claims and says there weren’t any indications of a boycott when Chappelle attended a writers’ meeting this week.
“The room was full of writers. They all pitched ideas and they seemed very excited about it. Dave is looking to have some fun,” the rep said.
It’s unclear why some writers are against Chappelle being a part of the show but it could stem from his past LGBTQ controversy.
Chappelle last hosted ‘SNL’ in 2020, shortly before the release of his Netflix special “The Closer.” Many viewers were upset with Chappelle, whose jokes mocked the trans community. At one point, Chappelle purposely misgendered a trans friend and another comedian for the sake of laughs.
Following the show’s announcement, “SNL” writer Celeste Yim seemingly confirmed that they wouldn’t be a part of Chappelle’s episode.
“I’m trans and non-binary. I use they/them pronouns. Transphobia is murder and it should be condemned,” Yim wrote on Instagram.
Chappelle and ‘SNL’ have yet to address the recent allegations.
