Comedian Dave Chappelle made a surprise appearance Friday at fellow comedian John Mulaney’s show in Columbus, Ohio, drawing criticism on social media for what some in attendance said were jokes targeting the LGBTQ community.
According to attendees, Chappelle, who lives in Yellow Springs, around 40 miles southwest of Columbus, was a surprise opener for Mulaney’s “From Scratch” tour stop at Value City Arena at Ohio State on Friday. There is no footage from the event, as attendees were required to lock their phones up before the show, Variety reported.
Afterward, many attendees took to social media to express concern and criticism for what they said were jokes targeting the transgender community. Some also reported that Mulaney and Chappelle shared an embrace on stage.
Comments about Chappelle’s performance on the show, as well Mulaney, were trending on Twitter over the weekend, with more than 19,200 tweets by Sunday afternoon.
Neither comedian has publicly commented about Friday’s show. USA TODAY has reached out to Mulaney’s and Chappelle’s representatives for comment.
The viral incident comes on the heels of other recent controversies involving Chappelle.
On Oct. 20, hundreds of Netflix employees staged a walkout following protests over Chappelle’s latest Netflix comedy special “The Closer,” where the comedian made remarks many deemed as transphobic.
He has come under particular ire for his defense of “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who has been accused of transphobia for years.
Last month, a 23-year-old man rushed on the stage and tackled the performer to the ground during the Netflix Is A Joke comedy festival in Los Angeles. Video shared online appears to show the attacker launching himself into Chappelle, knocking the comedian onto the ground. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month to four misdemeanors relating to the incident.
