HBO is honoring Dave Chappelle’s wishes by removing “Chappelle’s Show” from the streaming platform.
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The announcement was made by HBO’s Chief Content Officer Casey Bloys during an interview at Variety’s FYCFest. Bloys said he spoke with Chappelle and said the conversation discussed the comedian’s personal issues with the show and Viacom. As previously reported, Chappelle does not receive any revenue from ViacomCBS when the show is licensed to streaming platforms and by Dec. 31, “Chappelle’s Show” will be immediately removed from HBO Max’s streaming service.
“We had a conversation with Dave. I won’t get into it, but it’s very clear that it’s a very unique and specific and emotional issue he’s got. So at the end of the year, at the end of this year, December 31st, we’re going to honor his request and take the show down.”
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According to Variety, the comedian also mentioned how HBO originally rejected him when he pitched the comedy sketch show before it was greenlighted for Comedy Central.
“They said, literally, ‘What do we need you for?’ That’s what they told me as they kicked me out of the office, ‘What do we need you for? And here we are all these years later and they’re streaming the very show I was pitching to them. So I’m asking them, what do you need me for?”