Chappelle releases surprise special
An angry and emotional Dave Chappelle spoke on the killing of George Floyd in a surprise Netflix special, saying America was being punished for its mistreatment of black men.
“I don’t mean to get heavy, but we got to say something,” said Chappelle, who added that America is enduring “the wrath of God” for a string of police assaults on black men.
The special was released Thursday and is streaming free on Netflix’s comedy YouTube channel. It was taken from a show at an outdoor pavilion in Yellow Springs, Ohio, with about 100 attendees on June 6.
Chappelle called his special “8:46” in part after the length of time the officer was on top of the handcuffed Floyd. It is also the time Chappelle was born on Aug. 24, 1973. “I can’t get that number out of my head because it was my time of birth on my birth certificate,” he said.
“When I watched that tape, I understood this man knew he was going to die,” said the comedian. “I can’t tell you, as a man, watching another man, go through something like that, what it makes you feel like.”
Chappelle added that he has been quiet until now for a reason. “Answer me: Do you want to see a celebrity right now?” he asked. “No, this is the streets talking for themselves. They don’t need me right now.”
ABC names first black ‘Bachelor’: ABC has named Matt James as its first black “Bachelor” to lead the network’s longrunning dating competition show in 2021.
The casting was announced Friday on “Good
Morning America.”
James, 28, from North Carolina, was originally chosen to compete for Clare Crawley’s affection on “The Bachelorette,” but filming was scrapped in March. “Good Morning America” says James founded an organization in New York City that finds creative ways to engage children from underserved areas.
The show has been under pressure for years to be more diverse and cast a black “Bachelor.” Until now, Rachel Lindsay was the only African American to be cast as a lead in the franchise’s history when she was named “The Bachelorette” in 2017.
James said he was optimistic Friday. “I think it’s a step in the right direction,” he said on “Good Morning America,” adding, “I don’t think there’s a wrong time
to do the right thing.”
Kelly Clarkson seeks divorce: Kelly Clarkson has filed for divorce from her husband of nearly seven years, Brandon Blackstock. The singer, talk show host and coach on “The Voice” filed court papers to end the marriage June 4 in Los Angeles. Clarkson, 38, cited irreconcilable differences and requested that she not be required to pay Blackstock, 43, spousal support. The two wed in October 2013 and have a daughter, 5, and a son, 4.
June 13 birthdays: Actor Bob McGrath is 88. Magician Siegfried is 81. Actor Malcolm McDowell is 77. Actor Richard Thomas is
69. Comedian Tim Allen is
67. Actress Ally Sheedy is
58. TV anchor Hannah Storm is 58. Singer Rivers Cuomo is 50. Actor Chris Evans is 39. Actresses Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen are 34.