A rep for Dave Chappelle has responded to a report claiming the writing staff at Saturday Night Live is boycotting the comedian’s upcoming hosting gig.
“We’ve seen nothing to support media reports of a writer’s boycott,” the rep said in a statement Thursday to CNN. “In fact, the writers delivered over 40 sketches for Dave’s consideration and collaboration. Just as during Dave’s past SNL appearances, you won’t want to miss it!”
Rumors of a boycott surfaced a day earlier via the New York Post, which reported there was “unrest” among the show’s writers.
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Citing an anonymous source, the paper said writers were “furious” that Chappelle had been booked to host this weekend’s episode of the NBC sketch series because of his controversial comments about the LGBTQ community. The source supposedly said the writers vowed they were “not going to do the show.”
SNL announced last weekend that Chappelle would host the Nov. 12, post-election episode with musical guest Black Star — a New York rap duo made up of Mos Def and Talib Kweli.
This marks Chappelle’s third time hosting the late-night series. He previously pulled hosting duties in 2016 and in 2020, and won two Emmy Awards for Best Comedy Guest Actor for his work on the show.
SNL airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT
