A comedy tour featuring Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock is generating strong demand, with the two comedians having their own viral moments in 2022 thanks to streaming giant Netflix Inc NFLX and an infamous slap at the Academy Awards.
The duo’s Sunday show featured a surprise appearance from the richest person in the world, resulting in some pushback and awkwardness.
What Happened: The two legendary comedians are covering topics like cancel culture and politics during their current comedy tour. The duo is also discussing the viral moment of actor Will Smith slapping Rock at the Academy Awards, which led to Smith getting banned by the awards show and seeing pushback on his upcoming film slate.
Chappelle’s discussion of cancel culture comes as the streaming giant Netflix was criticized by some viewers and employees for including specials from the comedian on the platform despite covering other controversial topics.
On Sunday, Chappelle brought another controversial figure on stage, which likely didn’t go as planned.
“Make some noise for the richest man in the world,” Chappelle said as he welcomed Tesla and Twitter CEO Elon Musk onto the stage.
The moment featured a wide range of cheers and boos from the audience in the city of San Francisco, the headquarters of Twitter. Since taking Twitter over for $44 billion, Musk has cut thousands of employees and also made changes that have upset some of the employees and followers of the social media platform.
“Weren’t expecting this were you,” Musk said to Chappelle in response to the boos.
Chappelle played off the audience's reaction with several jokes.
“It sounds like some of those people you fired are in the audience,” Chappelle joked.
Chappelle added that Musk’s "whole business model is 'f*** Earth, I’m leaving it anyway, I’m going to Mars.'"
Musk thanked Chappelle for having him on stage. Chappelle responded that he wouldn’t miss the opportunity, and also lobbied to have the first comedy club on Mars.
“Don’t say nothing, it’ll only spoil the moment,” Chappelle told Musk before telling the crowd to “shut the f*** up with your boos.”
“I wish everyone in this auditorium peace and joy. Thank you very much San Francisco,” Chappelle said to end the show and Musk’s appearance.
Turns out Twitter can, in fact, be real life. https://t.co/FFpups1yEy pic.twitter.com/41jcZgdDR4
— Steven Goffman (@SteveGoffman) December 12, 2022
Related Link: Elon Musk Takes Over Twitter: Who's In Charge, Who's Gone And What Happens To The Stock
Why It’s Important: Musk wore a Twitter shirt and appeared to have a Twitter work badge on his front pocket during his appearance.
A prominent figure, Musk has become a hate-him-or-love-him kind of guy with the acquisition of Twitter. Musk announced he was unbanning the account of Donald Trump and other prominent figures who were previously banned from Twitter.
The event at Chase Center, home of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, was in the backyard of Twitter headquarters, a business that has seen thousands of employees laid off or putting in this resignation due to Musk taking over the company.
It’s unclear if Musk would have gotten the same reaction of boos at a stop in a different city.
Musk previously said that Rock had invited him out on tour to do some stand-up, something that the EV pioneer would likely have second thoughts and reservations about now.
Several videos of Musk on stage have surfaced on Twitter, despite attendees being required to lock up their cell phones and smartwatches during the show.
Musk was the host of a 2021 episode of “Saturday Night Live” for Comcast Corporation CMCSA. He was featured in many of the skits, and viewers were mixed on whether the world’s richest man had a career in comedy ahead. The episode with Musk was the third most watched “SNL” episode last season, beaten only by episodes hosted by Chappelle and Rock.
Read Next: Here's Why Elon Musk Won't Win An Emmy For SNL Hosting Gig
Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock.
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