Michelle Buteau didn’t hold back in her latest Netflix comedy special, Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind, filmed at the iconic Radio City Music Hall. The comedian took aim at fellow comedian Dave Chappelle for his controversial jokes targeting the transgender community, calling his humor “dangerous.”
“We can tell jokes and stories and not disparage a whole community,” Buteau said during her set. “We can make it funny, we just have to work at it.” She added, “If you guys ever run into Dave Chappelle, can you let him know that sht? I don’t think he knows that sht. I don’t think we’ll ever run into Dave, though, because he is the GOAT, and that means going off about trans people. Dave, it’s not funny. It’s dangerous.”
Critiquing Wealth and Responsibility
Buteau also addressed the responsibility that comes with Chappelle’s platform and wealth, challenging his choice to make jokes at the expense of marginalized communities. “I can’t believe someone would make millions and millions of dollars for making people feel unsafe,” she said. “That is so wild to me. I wanna make millions and millions of dollars for making people feel safe, seen, secure, heard, and entertained. What are we doing? That is my goal.”
Her comments come in response to ongoing backlash surrounding Chappelle’s 2021 Netflix special The Closer, which sparked protests and walkouts from Netflix employees. The special was widely criticized for its jokes targeting the transgender community, leading to accusations of perpetuating harm.
Breaking Barriers at Radio City
Buteau didn’t just use her platform to address Chappelle—she made history herself. The comedian became the first woman to film a comedy special at the legendary Radio City Music Hall. Reflecting on this milestone, she shared her journey to making the special happen. “I never asked my team, ‘Can I do this?’” she told USA Today. “I was like, ‘How can you help me do this?’ I don’t want to hear ‘can’t.’ It’s insane. How do you exist as a Black, brown, queer, or fat person? You just do. Stop listening to people who want to keep you down.”
A Call for Accountability in Comedy
Buteau’s critique highlights a growing conversation about the role of comedy in addressing sensitive topics. While comedians have long pushed boundaries, the line between humor and harm has become a contentious issue in recent years. Buteau’s stand underscores her belief that comedy can be powerful without being harmful, and her call for accountability is a message that resonates beyond the stage.
As Buteau continues to break barriers and use her platform to amplify underrepresented voices, her voice in comedy remains a critical force for change.