Some 'Saturday Night Live' Staff Writers Are Reportedly Boycotting Dave Chappelle Hosting Gig

Dave Chappelle's hosting gig on Saturday Night Live isn't sitting well with staff writers, who are reportedly protesting the comic's hosting gig.

Saturday Night Live fans aren't the only ones with backlash for Dave Chappelle's appearance on the long-running comedy series. Staff writers of the show are reportedly protesting the comedian's hosting gig on Saturday, November 12, when Chappelle will appear with legendary rap duo Black Star.

According to Page Six, some writers are citing Chappelle's history of transphobic and homophobic jokes as reason for not supporting the upcoming episode.

“They’re not going to do the show,” an insider told Page Six. “But none of the actors are boycotting.”

However, Chappelle's representative claim that the response from staff writers was quite the opposite when the comedian attended SNL writers meetings.

“The room was full of writers. They all pitched ideas and they seemed very excited about it…. Dave is looking to have some fun,” Chappelle’s representatives said.

The next SNL episode will be Chappelle's third time hosting the show, his last appearance being in 2020, one year before Netflix released his controversial stand-up special The Closer. After the announcement of Dave Chappelle returning as host, SNL writer Celeste Yim condemned the move on their Instagram Stories.

“I’m trans and non-binary. I use they/them pronouns. Transphobia is murder and it should be condemned," Kim wrote.

In July, Minnesota venue First Avenue canceled a stand-up show from Dave Chappelle and apologized to those offended with the comedian being booked to perform.

"We are not just a black box with people in it, and we understand that First Ave is not just a room, but meaningful beyond our walls," the venue said in a statement.