Comedian Michelle Buteau criticized Dave Chappelle for making “not funny” and “dangerous” jokes about the transgender community in his popular Netflix specials.
Buteau, who hosted her own Netflix comedy special Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall that premiered on Tuesday, addressed the topic during her performance. She made a joke about her “beautiful, Black lesbian friend,” saying it was an example of how to humorously and respectfully refer to the LGBTQ community.
“What I’m saying is it can be done,” Buteau said. “We can tell jokes and stories without attacking a whole community. It’s possible to make it funny, you just have to put in the work.”
She added, “So if you guys ever run into Dave Chappelle, can you let him know that? I don’t think he knows that.”
Buteau went on to criticize Chappelle for his repeated jokes about the transgender community. “Dave, it’s not funny. It’s dangerous,” she said. “I can’t believe someone would make millions off making people feel unsafe. That’s wild to me.”
Buteau emphasized her stance, saying, “I want to make millions by making people feel safe, seen, secure, heard, and entertained.”
In an interview with USA Today, Buteau again called out Chappelle’s remarks, stressing the importance of supporting the LGBTQ community. “I’m not saying you can’t joke about things, I’m just asking, ‘Can you make it funny?’ Because it doesn’t feel funny,” she said. “You’re hurting people and making it dangerous.”
She also criticized the broader cultural attitude surrounding jokes about marginalized groups. “When people say, ‘We can’t do what we used to do,’ yeah! Slavery used to be legal,” Buteau continued. “Sometimes we have to move forward. I’m sorry if it feels different, but it’s time to change.”
Chappelle faced backlash for his transgender jokes in his 2021 Netflix special The Closer, sparking protests from transgender activists and even a walkout from some Netflix employees.
In 2023, Chappelle continued to make similar jokes about transgender people in his special The Dreamer. He recounted an experience visiting Jim Carrey on the set of The Man on the Moon, where Carrey stayed in character as comedian Andy Kaufman. Chappelle likened the experience to how he feels about transgender people.
“I wanted to meet Jim Carrey, but I had to pretend he was Andy Kaufman all afternoon,” Chappelle said. “He was clearly Jim Carrey, but I had to call him Andy. Anyway, that’s how trans people make me feel.”
