Hart was clear in his comments on the situation while visiting Jimmy Kimmel Live and talked with guest presenter Mike Birbiglia (who is one of the hosts sitting in for Kimmel as he recovers from COVID-19). When Birbiglia fought back against Hart’s comment, Hart went on to explain what he meant.
“Do you want people to believe they can continue to breach that boundary, Mike? And how about breaking the barrier…? “He inquired. “When someone gets their ass whipped, it sends a message to the other individuals, like, ‘I was thinking about doing that, but after witnessing that, I don’t really want to do that.'” Hart went on, “I believe that in the environment we live in now, many lines have blurred, and that sometimes you have to take a few steps backwards to take a few strides ahead. And I believe that the moment we just watched with Dave is obscuring a larger event.”
The comic went on to say how Chappelle created history by selling out his concert, but that no one is talking about how professional he was in managing the issue because of the attack. “After that, Dave returned to complete the performance. And I didn’t make it a big deal about it. He soon moved on and returned to doing stand-up comedy, like a professional should “Hart elaborated. “Professionals should not be broken by these instances of impropriety. They should not construct or mould a world in which we are not seen or observed. So, I believe it is time to return to a position of respect for your live performer.”
An attacker later identified as 23-year-old Isaiah Lee rushed the stage during Chappelle’s Tuesday night set for the Netflix Is a Joke festival at the Hollywood Bowl, tackling him after he rolled up a routine about comedians having to worry about their personal safety after the notorious moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards in reply to Rock making a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
