Following the much-chronicled and appreciated monologue he delivered while hosting Saturday Night Live last week, Dave Chappelle makes headlines again as Netflix announces the upcoming release of three new comedy specials starring the comedian.
Sharing the news on Twitter, the network disclosed that one special will be an original set filmed exclusively for Netflix and the other two have been taped at Austin City Limits Live and the Hollywood Palladium. While the latter two productions will be released in 2017, the original special has yet to receive an official premiere date.
“Dave Chappelle is a legendary voice in comedy—searing, vital, and now more than ever, essential,” said Lisa Nishimura, Netflix’s vice president of original documentary and comedy, in a statement. “Dave’s three new specials promise to be some of the most anticipated events in comedy.”
Chappelle's first TV specials in 12 years, the programs follow Netflix's recent announcement regarding the release of two new comedy segments from Chris Rock (for which he will reportedly be paid a total of $40 million) and the airing of other comedy specials starring Aziz Ansari and Patton Oswalt.