Kevin Hart defends Dave Chappelle after terrifying on-stage incident
Kevin Hart stated on May 5, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, that Dave Chappelle was more important than ever to be beaten up and broadcast to the world.
Chappelle was performing at Hollywood Bowl as part the Netflix Is a Joke Comedy Festival when a man ran up to him and attempted to challenge him.
Later, it was revealed that the attacker was carrying a replica plastic gun with a knife. Chappelle’s security personnel then confronted the attacker. Video footage showed that the attacker had fractured his arm.
Hart stated, “Somebody ran onto the stage and got their a—- whooped.” “Not scary. It was not scary.
“Someone getting their a** shaved sends a message to others that is like, “You know, I was considering doing that.” After seeing it, I realized that I didn’t want to do that.
Hart said, “I think the world we are in right now — there’s a lot more lines that are blurred. Sometimes you have to take a lot back to make a step forward. I think it’s high time to respect your entertainer and realize that you’re going to a show.”
Isiah Lee, 23, was arrested by police shortly after the incident. He was being held under suspicion of assault using a deadly weapon.
Lee was not charged with a felony by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office May 5.
Lee was later charged with four misdemeanor charges, including battery and possession of a gun with intent to attack, unauthorized entry to a stage area during a performance, and commissioning an act that delays or interferes with an entertainer.
A spokesperson for Netflix said that they care deeply about creator safety and strongly support comedians’ right to perform on stage in the face of violence.
In the aftermath of the attack, a spokesperson for Chappelle issued the following statement: “Dave Chappelle celebrated 4 nights of comedy and music, setting records for comedians at the Hollywood Bowl.
“This run ties Chappelle and Monty Python for most headlined shows at the Hollywood Bowl. It reached 70k fans from diverse backgrounds during the inaugural Netflix Is A Joke Festival. He refuses to let last night’s incident overshadow the magic of this historic moment.
