WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:
- Howie Mandel says he’s “really afraid” about going onstage after Dave Chappelle was attacked on Tuesday.
- Mandel, who suffers from depression, said he’s worried about his mental health.
- Chris Rock joined Chappelle on stage and was seen taking a microphone from the comedian to say, “Was that Will Smith?”
Howie Mandel said he is now afraid to go on stage after what happened to David Chappelle on Tuesday night. Chappelle was performing at the ‘Netflix Is A Joke’ event at the Hollywood Bowl when a man rushed the stage and tackle the comedian.
“That hit… no pun intended… that hit very deeply,” Mandel told Extra‘s Billy Bush on Wednesday. “Watching what happened to Dave last night confirmed my fear. I was watching it kind of live on Twitter and I turned to my wife and I said, ‘I don’t want to. I don’t want to go on stage. I’m just really afraid.’ “
When asked about his future plans for comedy tours, Mandel replied, “The love of what we do is fading… joking now has no safety net.”
The America’s Got Talent judge said he’s “actually going to do less because the love is not as fervent as it was six months ago.” He explained that “fear overtakes.” Mandel then described himself as “a guy who lives with worry.”
“I’ve been open about my mental health. I am neurotic. I suffer from depression,” the former Deal or No Deal host added.
Mandel also referenced the incident at the recent Academy Awards back when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
“And then, after the Academy Awards, I said violence triggers violence,” Mandel said.
Chris Rock joined Chappelle onstage shortly after the attack. He was seen taking a microphone from Chappelle to say, “Was that Will Smith?”
Chappelle’s attacker, identified as 23-year-old Isaiah Lee, has been arrested and charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon — “a replica handgun with a knife.” Chapelle was not injured.
Netflix issued a statement on Wednesday, saying “We care deeply about the safety of creators and we strongly defend the right of stand-up comedians to perform on stage without fear of violence.”
Source: Salon
I never thought that Mandel was a comedian
He obviously doesn’t either, he should know he’s a game show host, but not even like Groucho was.
4 1/2 ft.Case Iron water pipe would work better!!
Carry a big stick on stage!