Featured Image Credit: Netflix. Jim O Donnell / Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Celebrity
Stewart Perrie
People reckon cancel culture isn't a thing after Dave Chappelle was nominated for an Emmy Award.
The comedian has been recognised for his standup special The Closer, which was featured on Netflix.
When the special landed on the streaming service, there were protests and calls for boycotts because Chappelle had some controversial lines about the trans community in his material.
At the time, many thought the comedian would be cancelled for his remarks and his refusal to apologise.
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However, people say it's clear his career hasn't suffered as a result of The Closer as it was just nominated for an Emmy for best pre-recorded variety special.
The Closer director Stan Lathan is also in the running to take out the variety special directing category.
During the special, Chappelle said that he supported J.K. Rowling, who has also been criticised for her comments about the transgender community.
At one point, he says: "They cancelled J.K. Rowling, my God. Effectively, she said gender was a fact, the trans community got mad as s**t, they started calling her a TERF.
"I'm Team TERF. I agree. I agree, man.
"Gender is a fact. Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact.
"Now, I am not saying that to say trans women aren't women, I am just saying that those p*****s that they got ... you know what I mean? I'm not saying it's not pussy, but it's beyond p***y or impossible p***y. It tastes like p***y, but that's not quite what it is, is it? That's not blood. That's beet juice."
Netflix stood its ground when all the drama erupted about the special last year and insisted that the comedian was free to push the boundaries in the name of comedy.
Netflix co-CEO Te Sarandos said in a memo: "Chappelle is one of the most popular stand-up comedians today, and we have a long standing deal with him.
"We don't allow titles on Netflix that are designed to incite hate or violence, and we don't believe The Closer crosses that line.
"I recognise, however, that distinguishing between commentary and harm is hard, especially with stand-up comedy which exists to push boundaries.
"Some people find the art of stand-up to be mean-spirited but our members enjoy it, and it's an important part of our content offering."
The stance saw a mass employee walk-out in October, with hundreds of staffers downing tools to protest The Closer.
Netflix staff held a rally outside the Los Angeles Netflix office on Sunset Boulevard to 'underscore the importance of responsible content offerings that prioritise the safety and dignity of all marginalised communities', according to CBS.