Submission 10,931

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Are you two friends? PATTON OSWALT PATTON OSWALT Yes. No.

Matt's Idea Shop @MattsldeaShop The only reason you're criticizing Patton Oswalt for two-facing is because you wanna date him because you think he's hot 8:46 PM · Jan 3, 2022 · Twitter for iPhone 105 Retweets 11 Quote Tweets 2,210 Likes

Rest in peace to all the soldiers that died in the service I died in her c-----

Ooo eee O0o ah ah Ting tang walla walla bing bang Ооо еее Осоo ah ah Ting tang walla walla bing bang Translate Tweet

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About

Patton Oswalt Apology Letter, also known as Patton Oswalt Writing a Letter, refers to an image of stand-up comedian Patton Oswalt pensively writing an apology letter in regards to the backlash he received over an Instagram post of him and fellow comedian Dave Chappelle. Oswalt uploaded the "apology letter" image to his Instagram in January 2022 where it was quickly used in memes across Twitter shortly after.

Origin

Background

On January 1st, 2022, Patton Oswalt uploaded a carousel post to his Instagram^[1] featuring photos of him and fellow stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle (primary one shown below). Towards the end of 2021, Chappelle was involved in a controversy regarding his newest Netflix special, The Closer, which was released on October 5th, 2021.^[2] Publications like Forbes^[3] detailed how the comedian received backlash for moments in the special where his comments were allegedly transphobic, alienating that part of the LGBTQ+ community. There was so much outrage that Netflix employee walkouts were organized in reaction to Chappelle's statements.

The "Apology Letter" Photo

When the images of Chappelle and Oswalt on New Year's Eve 2021 were posted to Instagram,^[1] Oswalt received lots of backlash across Twitter^[4] for his support of the canceled comedian. In response to this, Oswalt posted an image to his Instagram^[5] on January 2nd. 2022, that showed him in a dressing room writing a long apology letter in a very serious tone (shown below). In the caption of the post, Oswalt explained how he and Chappelle have been friends for 34 years but differ on their views of transgender issues. The post received roughly 54,200 likes over the course of three days.

Spread

Reactions

Users across Twitter reacted to Oswalt's apology letter and post in the days following. Many of the reactions were negative. For instance, Twitter^[6] user Harry1T6 posted a tweet on January 3rd, 2022 (shown below, left), that expressed Oswalt's Instagram post as "unnecessary." It received 109 likes in three days. Twitter^[7] account VitoGesualdi posted a headline-style tweet on January 3rd (shown below, right). It received roughly 20,500 likes over two days.

Harry Khachatrian @Harry1T6 One of the saddest things l've ever seen. Alleged comedian Patton Oswalt publicly apologizes for the high crime of posting photos with Dave Chapelle Patton Oswalt @pattonoswalt · Jan 2 Just posted a photo instagram.com/p/CYN3w4iL4qc/.. 10:26 AM · Jan 3, 2022 · Twitter for iPhone

YOUTUBE.COM / VITO @VitoGesualdi Patton Oswalt took a selfie with Dave Chappelle on New Year's Eve and had to write an entire essay apologizing for it 3 Seattle, Washington View more on Instagram 48,330 likes pattonoswalt I saw a friend I hadn't seen in a long time this New Year's Eve. We've known each other since we're teens. He's a fellow comedian, the funniest I've ever met. I wanted to post a pic & an IG story about it - so l did. The friend is Dave Chappelle. Thirty four YEARS we've been friends. He's refocused and refined ideas a lot of us took as settled about race & history & Life On Planet Earth and spun them around with a phrase or punchline. We've done bad & good gigs, open mikes & TV tapings. But we also 100% disagree about transgender rights & representation. I support trans peoples' rights - ANYONE'S rights - to live safely in the world as their fullest selves. For all the things he's helped ME evolve on, ' always disagree with where he stands NOW on transgender issues. But I also don't believe a seeker like him is done evolving. learning. You know someone that long, see the struggles and changes, it's impossible to cut them off. Impossible not to be hopeful and open and cheer them on. Also, I've been carrying a LOT of guilt about friends I've cut off, who had views with which I couldn't agree, or changed in ways I couldn't live with. Sometimes I wonder - did I and others cutting them off make them dig their heels in deeper, fuel their ignorance with a nitro-boost of resentment and spite? I'm an LGBTQ ally. I'm a loyal friend. There's friction in those traits that I need to reconcile myself, and not let cause feels of betrayal in ANYONE else. And I'm sorry, truly View more on Instagram 57,751 likes pattonoswalt Finished me set at @mccawhall and got a text from @davechappelle. Come over to the arena he's performing in next door and do a guest set. Why not? I waved good-bye to this hell-year with a genius I started comedy with 34 years ago. He works an arena like he's talking to one person and charming their skin off. Anyway, I ended the year with a real friend and a deep laugh. Can't ask for much more. view all 1,094 comments

Memes

Memes using the image of Oswalt writing the letter started appearing on Twitter going into early January 2022. The first person on the platform to use it as an exploitable was Twitter^[8] user lunch_enjoyer, whose tweet (shown below) posted on January 3rd received roughly 1,300 likes over the course of two days.

Patrick @lunch_enjoyer I'm just saying you could do better Tell me have you heard that lately? I'm just saying you could do better And l'll start hatin' only if you make me COMPOSITIONS

Other Twitter users also started following the trend, using the image in their own tweets. Meme creators even started to make video memes using the photo, such as Twitter^[9] user apt_a_1, whose video (shown below) on January 3rd received 69 likes over two days.

pic.twitter.com/gAhsqmOtmP

— “The Punishment” (@apt_a_1) January 3, 2022

Various Examples

I remember you was conflicted Misusing your influence Sometimes I did the same Abusing my power, full of resentment Resentment that turned into a deep depression Found myself screaming in the hotel room COMP

Patrick @lunch_enjoyer Hey Slim, I drank a fifth of vodka. You dare me to drive?

Search Interest

Unavailable.

External References

^[1] Instagram – @pattonoswalt

^[2] iMDb – The Closer

^[3] Forbes – Dave Chappelle, Transphobia And Anti-Semitism

^[4] Twitter – @joeyalison

^[5] Instagram – @pattonoswalt

^[6] Twitter – @Harry1T6

^[7] Twitter – @VitoGesualdi

^[8] Twitter – @lunch_enjoyer

^[9] Twitter – @apt_a_1

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Patton Oswalt Apology Letter

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