Dave Chappelle appeared to shut down further speculation about whether or not he’s still hosting “Saturday Night Live” this weekend following reports about a writer boycott on the show.
The 49-year-old comedian appeared in a advertisement from “SNL” as he and cast member Ego Nwodim appeared to joke a about whether he will still appear on the show, the Daily Mail reported.
“‘Wait, we’re doing it live?” Chappelle replied. “Of course,” Nwodim shared, “With you?”
“Obviously,” the comedian replied.
The cast member then asked, “In this news cycle?” And Chappelle replied, “Yep.”
Dave Chappelle jokes he will STILL be hosting SNL this weekend https://t.co/EoODYdMb6V
— Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) November 11, 2022
Chappelle also reportedly joked that the episode will be “so black it’ll be on BET,” the outlet noted.
In another clip shared from the official account for “SNL,” the “Chappelle’s Show” star announced that he’s “hosting SNL” this week as he introduced the musical guest Black Star.
WATCH:
This Saturday! Dave Chappelle and Black Star are here! pic.twitter.com/JbKwxvxtGK
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 10, 2022
The account for the late-night sketch comedy show also appeared to be shutting down further speculation about the comedian hosting when it tweeted a littler earlier, “Read-thru with Dave Chappelle!” The post included a photo of Chappelle sitting around a writer’s table.
Read-thru with Dave Chappelle! pic.twitter.com/ahD20bfwEi
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) November 10, 2022
It all comes following reports that some writers reportedly threatened to boycott the show if Chappelle was picked to host, as The Daily Wire previously reported.
“They’re not going to do the show,” an insider reportedly shared with the outlet. “But none of the actors are boycotting.”
Chappelle — who has faced a backlash in the last year over his comments regarding transgender people in his Netflix special “The Closer,” as well as a variety of stand-up shows where he’s been accused of telling “transphobic” and “homophobic” jokes — reportedly upset writers after producers picked him, Page Six noted.
The “Half Baked” star has maintained that the backlash against him isn’t about his comments and has everything to do with “corporate interests,” NPR noted.
“It’s about corporate interests, and what I can say, and what I cannot say,” Chappelle previously shared. “For the record, and I need you to know this, everyone I know from that [LGBTQ] community has been loving and supportive, so I don’t know what this nonsense is about.”
It will be Chappelle’s third time hosting the NBC late-night sketch show.
Related: ‘Nobody Should Be Censored’: Comedians Defend Chappelle After Theater Caves, Cancels His Show
