Netflix has quietly removed Chappelle’s Show from its library after Dave Chappelle reached out to them personally saying ViacomCBS has been licensing out his show without paying him anything. The comedian said that just because he signed a contract years ago, that doesn’t make things right for ViacomCBS to not have to share some of the profits with him today.
The comedian posted a video for his 1 million Instagram followers simply titled, “Unforgiven,” in which he explains that he never got a dime after leaving Chappelle’s Show, even when it’s been licensed out to streaming and reruns many times since the show ended.
“When I left that show I never got paid. They (ViacomCBS) didn’t have to pay me because I signed the contract. But is that right? I found out that these people were streaming my work and they never had to ask me or they never have to tell me. Perfectly legal ‘cause I signed the contract. But is that right? I didn’t think so either.” Chappelle says in the video.
On the other hand, the comedian seems to not be able to say enough about how much he likes working with Netflix.
“…when I found out they (Netflix) were streaming Chappelle’s Show, I was furious. How could they not– how could they not know? So you know what I did? I called them and I told them that this makes me feel bad. And you want to know what they did? They agreed that they would take it off their platform just so I could feel better. That’s why I (expletive) with Netflix. Because they paid me my money, they do what they say they’re going to do, and they went above and beyond what you could expect from a businessman. They did something just because they thought that I might think that they were wrong. And I do — I think that if you are (expletive) streaming that show you’re fencing stolen goods.”
Dave Chappelle currently has a deal with Netflix for standup specials, and according to the comedian, it appears to be going just fine. However, Chappelle is now calling on fans to boycott watching Chappelle’s Show until ViacomCBS works out a deal to pay him for it.
“So I’m not going to the agents, I’m coming to my real boss — I’m coming to you. I’m begging you — if you ever liked me, if you ever think there was anything worthwhile about me, I’m begging you, please don’t watch that show. I’m not asking you to boycott any network — boycott me. Boycott Chappelle’s Show. Do not watch it unless they pay me.”