The Dave Chappelle Show: Its Over

[HomerJay]

This is from E! Online news:
http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/eo/20050511/111586788000.html

Dave Chappelle in a South African psychiatric hospital? WTF?

Well at least season 2 will be out on DVD on May 24th...

[Leslie Lee III]

Nigga done lost his damn mind like Martin Lawrence.

[Deathstroke]

Well this story sure does get interesting as the days go by.

[monkeysweat]

Thin line between insanity and genius. And copious amounts of drugs*.






*allegedly

[Michael P]

Oh, I think we can dispense with the "allegedly."

[StoneGold]

Cocaine's a hell of a drug.

[clayholio]

This is from E! Online news:
http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/eo/20050511/111586788000.html

Dave Chappelle in a South African psychiatric hospital? WTF?

Well at least season 2 will be out on DVD on May 24th...

If you're going to lose it, go all the way. Better South Africa than just going crazy in New Jersey or something.

But seriously, $50 million buys a lot of pressure. That's like winning a lottery, but only if you're funny right now.

[StoneGold]

If you're going to lose it, go all the way. Better South Africa than just going crazy in New Jersey or something.

But seriously, $50 million buys a lot of pressure. That's like winning a lottery, but only if you're funny right now.
Like Dave as Rick James said, "They should have never give you $()*%$ money!"

[Scorpion13]

Oh brother. This gets better and better....

[Anthony]

Fool done went Mariah Carey on us.

[DarlingNikki]

dave done went and become his own punchline...

[fly on the wall]

Nigga done lost his damn mind like Martin Lawrence.

Exactly. Both Bipolar or something related illness.

Not to worry, he'll probably come out of it. And then he'll probably eventually go back into it.

Well, say a little prayer for him. He probably could use it right now.

[DarlingNikki]

Exactly. Both Bipolar or something related illness.

Not to worry, he'll probably come out of it. And then he'll probably eventually go back into it.

Well, say a little prayer for him. He probably could use it right now.

true indeed. as funny as the brotha is, this ain't a laughing matter. i wish he and his family well...

[Ugoff]

This is from E! Online news:
http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/eo/20050511/111586788000.html

Dave Chappelle in a South African psychiatric hospital? WTF?

Well at least season 2 will be out on DVD on May 24th...

I just dont know if I beileve this. You cant beileve everything your told, especially if it's from the media. Truth is we really dont know whats going on. I think he's under a lot of pressure and maybe had a slight mental break down. It happened to Margo Kidder and Anne Heche(i think) but they over came the bad publicity and came back strong, especially Anne. I just dont see why Dave is worried, he's so funny. I also dont know if I believe that Comedy Central was worried or against Dave taking the show to another level(which would mean more out there humor concerning race and what not). I mean the first two seasons are pretty out there already. But who knows, hopefully they'll get it together, I'm ready for new episodes.

[Artemis1]

Somebody told me that at school.

[Michael P]

I just dont see why Dave is worried, he's so funny.
No one knows quite why, but talented, creative people seem to be more prone to anxiety and depression.

I'm not sure why he went all the way to South Africa, though. I mean, if he was in Jersey, that's not too far a car ride from some of the best mental health facilities in the country.

[HomerJay]

I'm not sure why he went all the way to South Africa, though.

Probably so it would stay out of the news.

So much for that...

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i just wan't the show back period.

[fly on the wall]

I just dont know if I beileve this. You cant beileve everything your told, especially if it's from the media. Truth is we really dont know whats going on. I think he's under a lot of pressure and maybe had a slight mental break down. It happened to Margo Kidder and Anne Heche(i think) but they over came the bad publicity and came back strong, especially Anne. I just dont see why Dave is worried, he's so funny. I also dont know if I believe that Comedy Central was worried or against Dave taking the show to another level(which would mean more out there humor concerning race and what not). I mean the first two seasons are pretty out there already. But who knows, hopefully they'll get it together, I'm ready for new episodes.

Being the star of a big TV show must be an incredible amount of pressure. And that's pressure bearing down on someone that wasn't built to code to begin with. Add cocaine and a prediliction to mental illness and stir...

[Ryan K]

Anne Heche came back strong?!?

[Alex]

...
If the show comes back, this is going to make a hilarious Charlie Murphy story.

[Grant]

No one knows quite why, but talented, creative people seem to be more prone to anxiety and depression.

A lot of people in the entertainment industry seem to have this. Maybe it's that need for attention.

I'm not sure why he went all the way to South Africa, though. I mean, if he was in Jersey, that's not too far a car ride from some of the best mental health facilities in the country.

Maybe he or his management didn't want people to know he's in a mental health facility.

I hope he gets better.

[I Must Break U]

Man all i hope Dave Chappelle gets right man. I'd hate to see another brother from D.C. cracked out!

[blackdragon6]

aint that the damn truth

[Inkthinker]

It's hard to say, but something about this makes me feel as though he's winding us up for a Kauffmanesque punchline...

Of course, it could just be the pressure. As someone else said, it's like winning the lottery... so long as you can keep it up. ALL THE TIME. FOR YEARS TO COME.

That's not easy. And Chappelle has said himself that sometimes the fame and all freaks him out... the man can't go out in public with his kids without hearing some stranger yelling, "I'm Rick James, biatch!". That's gotta get really tiresome after a while.

[mgs]

whatever happened, it's just sooo weird....I mean, all this going on now, seems nothing like the story they did on dave a while back. legit, on the news, maybe 20/20, when he seemed all right on his farm in nice quitetude, but then the success of his show and bam! he's just another certified loony hollywood person.

[Dennis K]

I guess we can count on him going the Pat O'Brien route and getting verbally b*tch-slapped by Dr. Phil on national tv soon.

[fly on the wall]

whatever happened, it's just sooo weird....I mean, all this going on now, seems nothing like the story they did on dave a while back. legit, on the news, maybe 20/20, when he seemed all right on his farm in nice quitetude, but then the success of his show and bam! he's just another certified loony hollywood person.


A few things that most people don't get about this situation.

You can have 'nervous breakdowns' not just from bad things happening to you but from good things, too. Whatever jolts your psyche, man.

The 50 million dollars, the success of his show, these things could unhinge many mentally disturbed types. It could make the whole world seem unreal and distorted. Why work hard anymore, I've already got the 50 mill?

I keep reading in this thread about how funny he has been lately. Creativity often spikes just before a 'nervous breakdown'.

[Mr. Furious]

no he went there jsut to get away from everything he didn't lose his mind.......they are still trying to put season 3 on very soon

[hugh45]

He wanted to turn up the heat on racial issues,but CC punked out and
they fell apart from that.

What's wrong w/CC?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

This Is something like outta his sketch. Can you Imagine him writing this on his show.


" I took your money b-tches ! And I ran to Africa ha ha ha . I'm really rich and I don't give a damn ! "

[mgs]

A few things that most people don't get about this situation.

You can have 'nervous breakdowns' not just from bad things happening to you but from good things, too. Whatever jolts your psyche, man.
i know, *thinks* thanks fly, but I mean, I would find it highly ironic if, at the end of all this, the cause of his sudden paranoia was found out to be his use of marajuana (not really sure if it was all jokes or he really smoked pot).

[Ugoff]

This Is something like outta his sketch. Can you Imagine him writing this on his show.


" I took your money b-tches ! And I ran to Africa ha ha ha . I'm really rich and I don't give a damn ! "



Yes,Totally! It instantly made me laugh!

[Inkthinker]

**NEWS BREAK**

From Drudge Report:

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm

**Exclusive**

Dave Chappelle Found! Talks Exclusively with TIME Magazine in South Africa

"I figured, Let me just cut myself off from everybody, take a minute and pull a Flintstone-stop a speeding car by using my feet as the brakes. I am surprised at what I would do for $50 million. I am surprised at what people around me would do for me to have $50 million," Dave Chappelle tells TIME's Christopher John Farley in an exclusive interview.

CHAPPELLE tells TIME he's not in mental hospital or drug rehab, debunking earlier reports in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and elsewhere.

The full story, as well as exclusive photos of Chappelle in South Africa, will appear on TIME.com Sunday morning and in the issue that hits newsstands Monday.


So there you go. Tune in on Monday to find out exactly what happened, and what Dave means by his statement. Sounds very interesting, I believe I'll definitely be following up on this.

[Scorpion13]

All this, the worrying, the speculation, the gnashing of teeth....all because Dave wanted to go on a vacation without anybody knowing.


Heh. Nice.

He seems like a guy who in the midst of script rewrites, network censorship battles and an upcoming deadline would say "Man, fuck ya'll. Im outta here."

[Patient Boy]

At least we know that he's not insane or on drugs.

[clayholio]

At least we know that he's not insane or on drugs.

Well, at least not insane. He's been pretty open about his love of weed.

[Leslie Lee III]

Well, at least not insane. He's been pretty open about his love of weed.

The original comment still applies. Weed is not a hell of a drug.

[Patient Boy]

On the Beach With Dave Chappelle (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,1061415,00.html)

Free Time interview with Dave in South Africa.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Charlie Murphy told MSN News that Chappelle's Show won't be coming back. Star Dave Chappelle had filmed half of season 3# when he left to Africa and It tossed the show In limbo.

Murphy thanked Chappelle for helping get him noticed as well as getting him offers to do movies. He said the show started fast and just sadly burnt out quickly.

In July the co-creator of Chappelle's Show left to develope other shows at a Network. This pretty much put the nail Into the show and Comedy Central still hasn't annouced It yet. But with a key cast member telling everyone Its done , what else can ya say ?


We might as well treasure the 2 Season DVD's and think back on the memories of a show that was just one of the best sketch shows. Good-bye Chappelle's Show. You'll be missed.

[StoneGold]

I'm a sad panda. But I guess we all kind of saw it coming. Rick James had it right, they shoulda never given them niggas money.

[Brock]

Wonder if he gets to keep the $50 million?

[clayholio]

You know what got filmed is going to make it out eventually. Even though I'm disappointed there won't be any more Chappelle's Show, I still think this season would have tanked because of the unrealistic expectations for it.

[thetube]

I didn't think he would be back. As far as the money goes, can you say "LITIGATION?"

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i noticed that all the good sketch comedy shows burn out while garbage like SNL,and mad tv (in living color lite) stays on the air.

[Scorpion13]

SON OF A BITCH!!!

Well thats just great. Now we get to enjoy Mind of Mencia. Whoopee.

Dammit Dave, why!? WHY!??!!?

[Adem]

Sad news, but it did give us a lot of memories.

[StoneGold]

How many good Comedy Central shows go past two seasons? Not that many.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

How many good Comedy Central shows go past two seasons? Not that many.


True...but Comedy Central Is slowly starting to let shows go Into 2nd and 3rd seasons. I'll really miss Dave. Guy was cutting edge. If I'm SNL I hire Murphy and this creative team behind Chappelle. You need cutting edge focus and these guys can do It.

[Shellhead]

True...but Comedy Central Is slowly starting to let shows go Into 2nd and 3rd seasons. I'll really miss Dave. Guy was cutting edge. If I'm SNL I hire Murphy and this creative team behind Chappelle. You need cutting edge focus and these guys can do It.

They would have to tone it down too much for network tv, it wouldn't be the same.

[Scorpion13]

I wonder, is it cancelled because of Chapelle himself, and his actions, or is it something else? It may be Chapelle, cuz the show was rapidly becoming the biggest thing since South Park.

[StoneGold]

I wonder, is it cancelled because of Chapelle himself, and his actions, or is it something else? It may be Chapelle, cuz the show was rapidly becoming the biggest thing since South Park.
You can bet your ass if CC could have kept the show on the air, they would have. But I can understand the loss of confidence that they're ever going to get a show.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Without Chappelle or the original co-creator there Its not worth It. Sorry...but he made this go.

[Pepsigirl]

i noticed that all the good sketch comedy shows burn out while garbage like SNL,and mad tv (in living color lite) stays on the air.

The season before last was comedy gold, it saved SNL for me for a little while.

[IamtheRock3]

will they show the first half of the season that he actully did?

[YoungG03]

MadTV is aight

[SnowTrooper]

NO!!!! Damn that Dave Chappelle.Why did he have to ruin it for all of us.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

"N-I-G-G-A-R...it's the Niggar Familiy" HAHAHAHAHA. Oh no...it can't be coming to an end. I watch his Season 2 DVDs all the damn time. Shit! Why? Why take away one of my favorite shows of the last 5 years? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Dennis K]

I thought the show was okay, but certainly not the be all end all that so many others do. Half the time I forgot it was even on.

[Michael P]

NO!!!! Damn that Dave Chappelle.Why did he have to ruin it for all of us.
Do you know how dickish a statement that is? The man has a serious mental problem.

[StoneGold]

Do you know how dickish a statement that is? The man has a serious mental problem.
Not according to the Time article.

[Random Dude 22]

The show came to a halt when Dave Chappelle abruptly left the U.S. for a "spiritual retreat" in Africa this past April. Now Charlie Murphy, one of the lead comedians in the show's sketches, has told The New York Post that the show won't return for a third season.

"I don't think Dave is going to do anymore," Murphy, who also writes for the show told The New York Post. "We shot about eight shows for the third season and they're hilarious. They'll be released on DVD, I'm sure. But that's it."

Murphy became a show favorite after the premier of "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories." The two-part series spoofed funk legend Rick James and pop veteran Prince. Murphy is presently keeping busy by headlining Caroline's comedy club in Manhattan, New York from August 11th to August 14th. Word is Chappelle has also been working on some stand-up comedy routines.

"He probably wants to put a big show together, then put it on the road," Murphy revealed to The Post.

Murphy also claims that he still doesn't know why Chappelle disappeared last April. According to the comedian, he, Chappelle and Donnell "Ashy Larry" Rawlings filmed a skit for the third season entitled "Monsters Inc." a day before Chappelle left for Africa.

"It was hilarious," Murphy shared with The Post. "I was Frankenstein. Dave was The Wolfman. Donnell was The Mummy. We were living together and experiencing problems because we're monsters. But I thought it was because I was black that all these things were happening, not because I was Frankenstein. It was all fun, very normal."

Apparently, Murphy came to work the next day and Chappelle was nowhere to be seen.

"The ball's in Dave's court," Comedy Central president, Doug Herzog, recently told the press. "If you see him, tell him to phone home."

The second season's DVD was first scheduled to hit stores February 8th, but was postponed to May 24th. Meanwhile, the show's third season was first slated to premiere in February to coincide with the second season's DVD release. The season premiere later got pushed back to May 31st.

Weeks prior to the expected third season premiere, billboards advertising the series were plastered all over various cities across the country. The third season was then pushed back for the third time when Chappelle suddenly went to Africa. Reports say Chappelle flew out to Los Angeles to meet with Herzog this past June. Word is the two parties were meeting to finally get the third season off the ground. Chappelle Show heads have been on stand by ever since.

Since premiering in early 2003, the Emmy-nominated sketch comedy has routinely featured performances from Hip-Hop and R&B's finest, including Ludacris, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton, DMX, Kanye West, Common, Talib Kweli and many more. Mos Def, Snoop Dogg, and Lil Jon have performed as well as appeared in skits.

In September, Chappelle managed to reunite disbanded super group The Fugees for his Brooklyn block party. The show marked the group's first collective performance in over 7 years and is now in preparation to hit the streets as a DVD music documentary. The concert also featured performances from the aforementioned Badu and The Roots with surprise guests Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap among others.

[handOFfate]

Do you know how dickish a statement that is? The man has a serious mental problem.
He's just saying what everybody feels. And I don't feel sorry one bit for Chappelle, to be honest. I will miss the show, though. Great stuff.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Chappelle has said he was not suffering from mental problems and just felt that this seasons show wasn't funny. That everyone got the check and got lazy creatively and he pulled the plug on It.

[Scorpion13]

This whole thing is insane. I hear about 4 or 5 different stories about this, and I dont know what to believe.

Whatever. I friggin love the show, but life goes on. I was pissed as hell when the cancelled UCB, but what are ya gonna do?

[SoulOnIce]

http://www.chappelletheory.com/

I don't know how accurate this site is but this guy has developed a theory on why he ended his show. Very interesting read.

[Shellhead]

I find most conspiracy theories to be a waste of time, and this one is par for the course. Most of the alleged members of the cabal behind this "conspiracy" would not have any interest in shutting down Chappelle's show.

I am a big believer in Occam's Razor... basically the simplest explanation is generally the most accurate one. In this case, Occam's Razor would take Chappelle's own explanation at face value, that he was becoming uncomfortable with the possiblity that his own humor was causing people to laugh *at* black people instead of at racial issues.

Another possibility, left unspoken, is that Dave might have hit the wall with writer's block. It can happen to even the best writers, but this might have been his first time. With the pressure of the big new contract, Dave might have panicked.

[Jared]

You do realize it's a joke, right? I mean, nobody seriously thinks that Bill Cosby, Louis Farakahn, Oprah et. all. formbed a cabal called the Dark Crusaders, right? Right?.... :confused:

[Dennis K]

That's some funny stuff right there, I don't care who you are.

[Shellhead]

You do realize it's a joke, right? I mean, nobody seriously thinks that Bill Cosby, Louis Farakahn, Oprah et. all. formbed a cabal called the Dark Crusaders, right? Right?.... :confused:

I've heard so many ridiculous conspiracy theories over the years, including some that had sincere supporters... I just assume the worst. For example, the theory that the CIA introduced crack cocaine into inner cities across America. Damn silly, indicating a lack of any understanding of what the CIA does or where they do it.

[SnowTrooper]

I didnt read all of that because it seemed too long, but I think that Dave Chappelle quit the show so that he could get away from it all. In his stand up show, For What Its Worth, he said that he hates it when people come up to him on the streets and quotes what he says from the show, like "Im Rick James bitch", and he said that pisses him off when people call him a bitch in front of his kids. I dont know if this is why he quit, its just one mans opinion.

[davids]

He Didn't Want To Do, So He Didn't Do It. That's His Buisness. I Just Want To Know If He Paid Back The Fifty Million Dollars.

Ps Sid Ceasar In The Fifties Did Your Show Of Shows, Helped Write, And Live. All But Killed Him!

[davids]

I watched the missing shows and now know the real reason Dave headed for Africa. The shows were not funny, he knew it, he gave up and dropped out!:evilsmile

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I watched the missing shows and now know the real reason Dave headed for Africa. The shows were not funny, he knew it, he gave up and dropped out!:evilsmile

Nope....not true in the least. Other than the Gary Coleman sketch , these are very funny. The Tupac sketch last week was funny as was Revenge and the sketch where he was cursed by all the money. This past week we got a very raw sketch that pushed things. The Ethnic Pixies sketch pushed some very hard buttons.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

The Ethnic Pixies sketch pushed some very hard buttons.
as a matter of fact these were the reason he left.

[EZMOHR]

Nope....not true in the least. Other than the Gary Coleman sketch , these are very funny. The Tupac sketch last week was funny as was Revenge and the sketch where he was cursed by all the money. This past week we got a very raw sketch that pushed things. The Ethnic Pixies sketch pushed some very hard buttons.


First off, I see the duality of the Racial Stereotype Pixies, and what it did. I can see how this sketch stayed true to the show, and just added to it. Especially the Black Stereotype Pixie. Not much makes me cry when I laugh. This did. I could not breath I was laughing so hard. It was funny because it just showed how ridiculious that old stereotype is. HOWEVER.....

I can see why Chappelle supposedly quit the show after this skit. While it was funny as hell....it pushed a limit. It was funny in that it was uncomfortable. I'm a white dude that has African ancestory...but it really is not my culture. It's the only time watching the show where I thought...damn if I laughed at this skit like I did in front of the black contigent in my family...they would think I'm a douche...BIG TIME.

Couple this skit, with the demands of $50 million, the pressure to stay Chappelle show funny, and the fact that it seems Dave Chappelle went from barely known niche comedian, to beyond belief mega-star, to smoked out artist in a span of a year...I can see where this skit may have had him throw his hands in the air and just leave for a while.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

First off, I see the duality of the Racial Stereotype Pixies, and what it did. I can see how this sketch stayed true to the show, and just added to it. Especially the Black Stereotype Pixie. Not much makes me cry when I laugh. This did. I could not breath I was laughing so hard. It was funny because it just showed how ridiculious that old stereotype is. HOWEVER.....

I can see why Chappelle supposedly quit the show after this skit. While it was funny as hell....it pushed a limit. It was funny in that it was uncomfortable. I'm a white dude that has African ancestory...but it really is not my culture. It's the only time watching the show where I thought...damn if I laughed at this skit like I did in front of the black contigent in my family...they would think I'm a douche...BIG TIME.

Couple this skit, with the demands of $50 million, the pressure to stay Chappelle show funny, and the fact that it seems Dave Chappelle went from barely known niche comedian, to beyond belief mega-star, to smoked out artist in a span of a year...I can see where this skit may have had him throw his hands in the air and just leave for a while.who knew EZMOHR was a negro:p


but seriously i think chapelle probably caught heat from alot of people both black,white whatever.that and along with his own conscious was really weighing heavy on him i guess.

[Erebus]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. I don't find Dave Chappelle funny. I know millions of other people think he's hilarious, but he just doesn't work for me.

[EZMOHR]

who knew EZMOHR was a negro:p


but seriously i think chapelle probably caught heat from alot of people both black,white whatever.that and along with his own conscious was really weighing heavy on him i guess.


Yeah, the last of the blonde hair, blue eyed negro's. :p

And I most definately can see where Chappelle left after this skit. And I can see where a lot of people would be offeneded by this skit. It's very Song of the South.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Of course by now everyone knows why he walked out. They detailed it on the show when they showcased & discussed the sketch. Sometimes you can push so hard you'll shock yourself and I see it here.

[Shellhead]

Yeah, the last of the blonde hair, blue eyed negro's. :p


Are you South African-American?

[EZMOHR]

Are you South African-American?


No not the white variety of African. My great-grandmother was black and she had children with my Irish great grandpa.

[Shellhead]

No not the white variety of African. My great-grandmother was black and she had children with my Irish great grandpa.

Oh. My girlfriend is half-Kenyan and half-Irish. She doesn't have blonde hair or blue eyes, but she is easily mistaken for a white girl with a dark tan.

[EZMOHR]

Oh. My girlfriend is half-Kenyan and half-Irish. She doesn't have blonde hair or blue eyes, but she is easily mistaken for a white girl with a dark tan.


I'm very easily mistaken for a white boy. Very easily......:D

Hell I look the prototypical white boy.

[Leslie Lee III]

You do realize it's a joke, right?

The fact that that has to be said has been funnier than the skits of the new shows.