Dave ‘Chappelle’s Home Team’ Comedy Specials Coming to Netflix

Netflix has announced a series of four new comedy specials hosted and executive produced by veteran stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle, titled Chappelle’s Home Team — reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Each of the upcoming specials will feature a different stand-up comic introduced by Chappelle, with the first of the four premiering on February 28 and giving Earthquake (real name Nathaniel Martin Stroman) the centre stage.

Another special will feature Donnell Rawlings in the spotlight, and all four of the comics being featured have been part of the stand-up scene for at least 30 years.

“I’ve been doing this a long time and comedians like Quake and Donnell are not only friends but have inspired my own career,” said Chappelle. “Anyone in the comedy community knows these names and knows their time to shine is long overdue. I am proud to be a part of this moment.”

The series is by Chappelle’s go-to helmer Stan Lathan and executive produced by Chappelle, Lathan, Earthquake, Rikki Hughes, and Jermaine Smith.

Netflix’s collaboration with Chappelle has been a big part of the platform’s comedy push. The streamer and its CEO Ted Sarandos stood behind Chappelle after his last comedy special, October’s The Closer, stirred up significant controversy over the comic’s lengthy discussion of the transgender movement.

Sarandos backed the program and said it is “consistent with our comedy offering, it’s consistent with Dave Chappelle’s comedy brand and this is … one of those times when there’s something on Netflix that you’re not going to like.”

The Closer was advertised as the final installment of a six-special package of Chappelle content for Netflix.

Chappelle is also slated for a headline performance at Netflix is a Joke — the streaming platform’s Los Angeles-based comedy festival, scheduled to kick off April 28 at the Hollywood Bowl.