Dave Chappelle Emmy Noms Cause Outcry: 'Cancel Culture Doesn't Exist'

According to many online comments, Dave Chappelle's two Emmy nominations for his Netflix special The Closer is proof that "cancel culture doesn't exist."

His 2021 stand-up show caused an outcry amongst the LGBTQ+ community as it was labeled "transphobic" by many. He recently stood by his comments during another Netflix special, calling students who criticized him "instruments of oppression."

When the 2022 Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday, Chappelle's The Closer was nominated for "Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special.'

Chappelle's nominations were met with fury from some online who believed it was proof that cancel culture isn't as big a threat as it's made out to be.

"Dave Chappelle's transphobic stand up special was nominated for an Emmy," wrote @pierogiwitch on Twitter, "I'm sorry I don't ever want to hear any cishet man complain about cancel culture again. f***. this is crushing." Cishet is short for cisgender and heterosexual.

Twitter user @daul_powning agreed with the sentiment, writing that Chappelle's nomination is "really all the proof you need that cancel culture doesn't exist."

TV writer Rod, co-host of the podcast The Black Guy Who Tips, weighed in. "Dave Chappelle's Oscar acceptance speech gonna be about how he's the real victim of cancel culture," he said.

Others took the opportunity to mock those complaining. "There are people out there that will claim the world is a hellhole because they can't silence everyone that has the temerity to disagree with them in public," commented @meme_space_nine. Commenting on Chappelle they continued, "I'm sorry you couldn't destroy the man's career at will. I guess you'll just have to learn to deal with disappointment."

"Cancel culture is clearly doin a number on him," said @ImNotAStatistic in response to the Emmy nominations.

Multiple Reddit threads discussed the controversy too, with thousands of people posting about it, both for and against Chappelle.

"Just a tired performance from a once great comedian," wrote one Reddit user, questioning the quality of the special aside from the controversial jokes.

"Wow he seems cancelled to me," one user sarcastically wrote, "that's definitely real an not just a culture was talking point used for marketing to their base." Another added, "Emmy nom while crying about being canceled lol."

The 2022 Emmy nominations recognized a lot of fan-favorite shows. Succession was the most nominated show with 12 in the major categories and 25 across all categories.

The White Lotus received 11 major nods while Ted Lasso scored 10. Both shows received 20 nominations overall. Other shows with multiple nominations were Dopesick, Barry, Severance, Squid Game and Pam & Tommy.

Notable snubs included the sitcom Black-ish, which came to an end this year. Host Anthony Anderson joked the Emmy voters were "racist" after the show received just two nominations in technical categories.

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on September 3 and 4, 2022.