Comedian Howie Mandel believes Will Smith assaulting Chris Rock at the Oscars has made it open season on stand-up comics, citing the this week’s attack on Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl.
Howie Mandel said in an interview with E! News’ Daily Pop that he is now afraid to return to the stage.
“I was before even last night but last night kind of is my worst fear come true,” he said, referring the the assault on Chappelle at the Bowl. “Not to comment on what happened at the Academy Awards, but I thought that that opened the floodgates for people.”
He added: “We’re already as comedians being attacked as far as being canceled for something that you don’t like, something that you find offensive, something that you think is too soon. And then you saw what happened at the Academy Awards.”
Watch below: