Chappelle's Show

Chappelle's Show is a sketch comedy series starring Dave Chappelle, a comedian (previously) best known for his role as Thurgood Jenkins in the stoner film Half Baked. The show premiered on January 22, 2003 on US cable television network Comedy Central. Since then, the show has become the second highest rated show on the network, trailing only the long-running cartoon series South Park. After numerous delays of the third season, the future of the series is in doubt.

Third Season Delays

After the success of the first two seasons, the third season of Chappelle's Show was scheduled to premiere in February 2005. This date was pushed back to May 31, 2005 when production fell behind schedule in December 2004 because Dave had fallen ill with the flu. On May 4, 2005, just weeks before the anticipated premiere, Comedy Central announced that Chappelle's Show would not be ready by the announced date and that production had been suspended "until further notice." No reason for the delay or suspension was given and there was no response from Dave Chappelle, although one week later it was reported (most notably by Entertainment Weekly) that Chappelle had previously flown to South Africa on April 28 to stay in an undisclosed psychiatric facility. On May 14th, Time announced that one of their reporters, Christopher John Farley, had interviewed Chappelle in South Africa, and that no psychiatric treatments were occurring or necessary. Dave returned shortly thereafter and quelled rumors of psychiatric or substance abuse problems, and emphasized that his trip was a "spiritual retreat" intended to keep his sense of reality outside the bubble of intense pressure and fame and to keep his humor fresh.

Related Topics:
May 31 - Flu - May 4 - Entertainment Weekly - South Africa - April 28 - Time

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Shortly after his return from South Africa, Dave returned to his home in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Since then he has given a series of very good surprise performances at small comedy clubs near his home. His small-town community has been very supportive of his return, and has worked hard to honor his wish to live a normal life and escape constant public attention.

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On July 14, Comedy Central president Doug Herzog announced that Chappelle was welcome back any time, but that the comedian had said he was still not ready to return. Herzog put a positive spin on negotiations, but conceded that he did not expect the Chappelle Show to return in 2005. In all probability, Chappelle himself cancelled the 3rd Season project.

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In an August 2005 interview with TV Guide, longtime costar Charlie Murphy said that Chappelle's Show was finished. Dave Chappelle, on the other hand, has yet to announce this to the public.

Related Topics:
August - 2005 - TV Guide - Charlie Murphy - Dave Chappelle

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http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/03/tv.chappelle.sshow.ap/

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