Comedian Michelle Buteau criticized Dave Chappelle for frequently making jokes about the transgender community during a set in her new Netflix comedy special titled “Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall.” She shared an anecdote about a Black lesbian friend and addressed the diversity of reactions in the audience to emphasize that comedians should be able to tell jokes without disparaging entire communities. Buteau humorously called out Chappelle for his controversial jokes, urging him to make his humor more considerate and less harmful, stating that making people feel unsafe is not funny and can be dangerous.
During her set, Buteau jokingly referred to Dave Chappelle as “the GOAT,” or greatest of all time, in relation to his jokes about the transgender community, suggesting that in this case, GOAT stands for “going off on trans people.” She expressed disbelief that someone could make millions of dollars by making people feel unsafe, and emphasized her desire to make people feel safe, seen, secure, heard, and entertained as a comedian. Buteau’s strong words attracted applause from the audience, highlighting her stance against using comedy to harm or discriminate against marginalized communities.
In an interview with USA Today, Buteau further elaborated on her criticism of Dave Chappelle and others who use comedy to hurt people rather than make them laugh. She emphasized the importance of making jokes funny rather than offensive, stating that humor should not be used to cause harm or make anyone feel unsafe. Buteau addressed the need for progress and understanding in society, suggesting that people should adjust their mindset to reflect changing cultural norms and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes or behaviors.
Dave Chappelle faced backlash for his jokes about the transgender community in his 2021 Netflix comedy special “The Closer,” which many viewed as transphobic. Despite the criticism, Chappelle refused to apologize and defended his comments in his 2023 Netflix special “The Dreamer,” continuing to make jokes that some find offensive. The controversy surrounding Chappelle’s comedy highlights ongoing debates about the boundaries of humor and how comedians should approach sensitive topics without causing harm or perpetuating stereotypes. Buteau’s decision to use her platform to criticize Chappelle’s approach to comedy reflects a growing awareness of the impact of words and the responsibility that comes with being a public figure.
