Howie Mandel says Will Smith slapping Chris Rock ‘opened the floodgates’ for Dave Chappelle attack

The attack on Dave Chappelle was an assault on comedy at large, according to at least one comic. Howie Mandel told E! News’ “Daily Pop” Wednesday that he is “absolutely” afraid to return to the stage. “I was before even last night but last night kind of is my worst fear come true. Not to comment on what happened at the Academy Awards, but I thought that that opened the floodgates for people,” said the Canadian-born comedian, 66. “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 t...