Chapelle's Show

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm a big fan of Chapelle's Show. And I'm not alone, it's been Comedy Central's highest ratings draw. And the 3rd season was supposed to start airing May 31st, according to commercials and bilboards.

Well, last week, Comedy Central announced that production has stopped and the season indefinitely delayed. Why? It seems, Dave's losing it.

He got a contract renewal this year...for something like $50 million. There have been a few explanations for him pulling the plug, I get the feeling that they're all true, that it's a combination of them. One is that he's been fighting a lot with network censors to get his racier stuff through. Another is that he's just been partying way too hard. A friend of his said that he wouldn't describe it quite as out of control, but it's enough that it's gotta be affecting his work. The third explanation is that he simply freaked out over the $50 mil. That he just wasn't ready for the pressure of having to deliver $50 million worth of comedy.

Supporting that third explanation...he's now reportedly checked himself into a mental facility in South Africa! Wow.

I hope he sorts through what he needs to, 'cause I miss the show.

http://www.nbc4.tv/entertainment/4480047/detail.html

[MerryPrankster]

Oh nooooo!! :( I caught the very tail end of this story on the radio yesterday, but I couldn't figure out who they were talking about. I love Chapelle's Show -- that man can really make me laugh. What a shame, I'm sure the pressure must have gotten to him. I hope he can get it back together soon.

I was just talking about the Priince skit the other day. :) Oh, and the R. Kelly "I'm Gonna' Pee on You" video just kills me every time. I never get tired of watching the reruns.

[Mr. Fusion]

The third explanation is that he simply freaked out over the $50 mil. That he just wasn't ready for the pressure of having to deliver $50 million worth of comedy.

I bet you're right, that it's because of all three. There was a similar article in Newsweek, saying that he's having a lot of trouble handling the pressure because he's always played second fiddle or been the plucky comic relief.

Hope he resumes production soon, it's rare that there's a genuine, bonafide hit on the airwaves AND that the public recognizes it.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I also heard mention of writer's block. There has been a lot of speculation going on.

Hopefully he will be able to work things out, whatever is going on, and be able to resume the show. I've always loved it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Update: He's not crazy!

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1061415,00.html

And the season is back on, from what I've heard, though a bit delayed. Comedy Central, in place of the season permier on May 31, is showing a "new" (who knows when it was taped, but it's never been shown on TV) Chapelle standup special. They had a pretty damned funny commercial for it, the old answering machine bit ("Dave, this is Comedy Central, why won't you return our calls?!").

[MerryPrankster]

Yay!! :D I'm glad it's back on.