Variety said late Monday that Comedy Central will air the previously-recorded sketches that would have made up the third season of Chapelles Show that Dave Chapelle filmed before his sudden and strange departure from the show that was set to earn him 50 million dollars. Quoth Variety: “Chappelle has been on an open-ended hiatus for about ten months, with taping of the third season of his Chappelle’s Show suspended indefinitely. Sources close to the skein were recently quoted that they did not believe the funnyman would ever return to the program. At a Los Angeles taping of its year-end special Last Laugh '05, Comedy Central showed a preview of what it will air as part of season three, which included send-ups of MTV skein Cribs and the Morgan Spurlock documentary Super Size Me.”
I cannot remember where I read this same news a few days ago, but the article hinted that these episodes would air sometime next spring.
I actually prefer Dave’s stand-up to his show. Although I did enjoy the show, there were a lot of okay sketches surrounding some truly golden bits. I’d rather see a new hour-long special. But hey, whatever gets him back on tv as he really is a funny guy.
I think we all knew this was coming once it was discovered that they had actually shot a few episodes. Personally, I’m not expecting much since Chappelle abandoned the show in part because he felt the episodes weren’t up to snuff.
Originally Posted by Matt Goldberg Personally, I’m not expecting much since Chappelle abandoned the show in part because he felt the episodes weren’t up to snuff.
I thought the TIME article said he felt like he was surrounded by “yes men”, and that he couldn’t distinguish for himself what was truly funny.
He said something like even his friends were telling him everything was funny, even when he didn’t think it was. But to me that doesn’t mean he thought the skits produced werent good - just that the creative process had become a chore because he was the only one without bias.
maybe I’m remembering incorrectly.
EDIT: and I remember hearing Charlie Murphy say he thought the new stuff was good - that’s all I need.
I had read that, while Comedy Central had sole posession of the material recorded for the new season, they agreed to meet with Chappelle a few times to negotiate what to do with the footage, and he repeatedly blew them off. If that’s true, then Comedy Central is essentially severing ties with Chappelle, mostly due to Chappelle’s lack of cooperation.
Originally Posted by fabfunk The latter. Comedy Central has given him plenty of chances after he flaked out on an over-$50 million deal with them.
Yeah but think of how much they stand to make in advertising. I don’t think they’re airing it to do Dave any favors. People are gonna flip to see new Chappele’s Show and CC stands to make a small fortune in ad revenue. I’m sure that’s why they’re doing it.
Originally Posted by Brechtsky I thought the TIME article said he felt like he was surrounded by “yes men”, and that he couldn’t distinguish for himself what was truly funny. He said something like even his friends were telling him everything was funny, even when he didn’t think it was. But to me that doesn’t mean he thought the skits produced werent good - just that the creative process had become a chore because he was the only one without bias.
Right, but without constructive criticism, the work suffers.
Originally Posted by fabfunk The latter. Comedy Central has given him plenty of chances after he flaked out on an over-$50 million deal with them.
Exactly, which is why they have every right to air the footage that they have. Dave had the chance to continue making the show and opted not to. Comedy Central owns the rights to the Chappelle’s Show footage that was filmed and they want to make back the money they lost on promotion and advertising on Season 3. Here in NYC there were whole subway cars lined with Chappelle’s Show ads, not to mention radio and TV spots. I bet Comedy Central lost a small fortune.