Netflix has stopped streaming Chappelle Show. Why? Because Dave asked them to. Netflix ceased streaming the hugely popular show less than a month after it added it to its catalog in November. In an Instagram video spotted by Deadline, Chappelle says he asked the company to remove the series and Netflix honored his request. Why?
“I called them and I told them that this makes me feel bad,” said the ground breaking comedian. “And you want to know what they did? They agreed that they would take it off their platform just so I could feel better.”
Netflix acquired the rights to the series from ViacomCBS as part of a non-exclusive streaming deal. Chappelle doesn’t own any rights to the series that has his name on it. Chappelle has not been shy about criticizing the media company for licensing the show it without paying him.
But you have to ask what motivated Netflix to make such a charitable move. It definitely cost them some money. Maybe they did it because Netflix has a big money deal with Chappelle for exclusive access to his standup specials. This may be just a case of Netflix wanting to keep its money making star happy. Someone at Netflix did the math. Keeping the Mark Twain Award winner happy makes financial sense in the long run. Netflix is not shy about signing black actors, producers and directors and this is another feather in their cap. For Netflix it was a smart move and more profitable than streaming an old shows everyone has seen. But still, it was an impressive show of his star power by Dave Chappelle.
Ava DuVernay
Have you heard about Naomi? The comic book was written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker with illustrations by Jamal Campbell. The story revolves around a young black girl, Naomi McDuffie, who discovered her magic powers. And that she’s from an alternate Earth.
As reported by TV Line, Ava DuVernay is collaborating with the CW television network to bring the tale to life. Working through DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks banner, she and Jill Blankenship (Arrow) will be writing the script for a possible adaptation of the book for the CW, in association with Warner Bros. TV.
This isn’t DuVernay’s first superhero project. She’s presently also working on the ‘New Gods’ movie and leading HBO Max’s DMZ, making Naomi the third in a trifecta of DC properties in DuVernay’s hands.
Michael B. Jordan
Action star Michael B. Jordan is launching is joining OnlyFans to raise money for a barber. Jordan is the star of The Wire, Black Panther and Creed 1 & 2 as well as being declared “the world’s sexiest man” by People magazine.
Jordan made the announcement while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live talking about his new mustache.
“I’m actually going to start one,” Jordan said. “But like, all the proceeds I want to go towards a barber school because during the quarantine, you know, there’s been so many businesses and schools that shut down.” When Kimmel asked him to clarify whether he was being serious, he replied: “Yeah, it’s a thing. My barber Joe and the whole team, we’ve been plotting on that so we’re going to work the system.”
Holiday Movies with People of Color
While there’s still a long way to go towards broader representation in mainstream media, there are still great tales—both old and new—that tell holiday stories starring people of color. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey combines a genius toy maker with adventures in Black girl magic; the heartfelt holiday comedy Nothing Like the Holidays has an all-Latinx cast; and Lifetime produced their first Asian American-led Christmas film with the romantic comedy A Sugar & Spice Holiday. Along with favorites like The Best Man Holiday, here are a few more films giving space for people of color in holiday movies.
