What’s behind the stoush between Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby and the US superstar Dave Chapelle?   It’s all about Chappelle’s Netflix comedy special, The Closer. 

 

Netflix has stood by its decision to air The Closer despite Chappelle slurring members of the LGBTIQ community – particularly the trans community.  Its CEO Ted Sarandos said that content on-screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm, and he also named the other shows they produced that promote inclusivity and diversity including... Sex Education, Orange Is the New Black AND Aussie comedian Hannah Gadsby – Gadsby struck back with a vengeance.  She didn’t like being used by Netflix to justify The Closer.

 

We’re joined by Variety’s senior entertainment and media writer, Matt Donnelly who secured an interview with Sarandos where he conceded he “screwed up” in managing Netflix staffs’ concerns about the special.  But he won’t be binning it.

 

This is a fascinating story about big media, comedy in 2021….. and how the actions of one of the planet’s biggest corporate players has two the world’s biggest comedians, facing off.

 

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