[Wheegiabe]

By DAVID BAUDER

NEW YORK (AP) - Comedy Central star Dave Chappelle has checked himself into a mental health facility in South Africa, the magazine Entertainment Weekly reported on Wednesday.

The comedian's whereabouts and condition have been unknown since Comedy Central abruptly announced last week that the planned May 31 launch of the third season of ``Chappelle's Show'' had been postponed and production halted.

Chappelle flew from Newark, N.J., to South Africa on April 28 for treatment, said the magazine, quoting a source close to the show it would not identify. Entertainment Weekly said it had corroborating sources for its story.

``We don't know where he is,'' Comedy Central spokesman Tony Fox said. ``We've heard about South Africa. We don't know. We haven't talked to Dave.''

Chappelle's spokesman, Matt Labov, would not comment on the magazine's story.

``It seems like the issues he's contending with are really quite serious,'' said Dade Hayes, a senior editor at Entertainment Weekly. ``It isn't a case of him spending a weekend someplace recuperating from exhaustion.''

The magazine's sources say Chappelle is still in the facility, which was not named, Hayes said. Chappelle's representatives have denied that the comedian was abusing drugs.

Chappelle reportedly signed a $50 million deal with Comedy Central for two more seasons of his show, a payday made possible because of the explosive sales of the show's first season DVD.

The magazine said Chappelle had shot four to five episodes' worth of sketches for the new season, but none of its onstage introductions.


05/11/05 19:06 Comments: Wow. I thought he had cleaned up his life somewhat since he started the show. I guess he didn't. I hope he can get out of that treatment center soon so 'Chappelle's Show' can started up again.

EDIT: I just read another report at Yahoo! and they say that this is not a drug-related thing. He apparently is either having issues with the breakout success of the show, or is having disputes with Comedy Central on how racist the show should be (Chappelle is pushing for more racism). Either way, he reportedly went AWOL.

[ May 11, 2005, 09:34 PM: Message edited by: Big Luther ]

[Teareerah]

WTH?

Is he gonna become the black Andy Kaufman..

he just needs to go to the Philipines and get some chicken surgery

[usadatronourl]

must agree...i hope he's back soon...chappelle's show was the funniest show in a long time

[Jifyicyfuhpop]

Whoa! I really hope he's okay and gets back to the States soon. The pressure and sudden popularity of the show is probably just too much to handle. At least he is getting help instead of doing something drastic. Think about it: the show is hillarious and a third season is coming. How can someone not worry about it living up to everyone's expectations??

About the DVD release and the earlier report of Season 2 being held back again:
From an E! Online article:

With the show's future suddenly in doubt, Comedy Central and corporate sibling Paramount are hoping to plug the Chappelle gap in the meantime with the release of the second-season DVD collection on May 24. ^This is some good news for those who have been waiting for Season 2's DVD. Let's just hope Season 3 starts soon after that.

[craditc]

wow, i really hope that he is okay. I got his season 1 dvd and right now he might be the funniest man on tv. I might even pick up season 2 when it comes out on the 24th.

[htDgExh8]

hey if anything, we get episodes of Reno 911 earlier.

Which is a pretty funny show.

How come Comedy Central can put Good shows like Reno 911 and Chappelle on air.

Then go around and put garbage like Distraction or Con in their place.

The Hollow Men and Blue Collar Tv are atleast enjoyable

[JesikaFlpk]

I hope he's ok. I don't know what I'd do if there was no more Chappelle show. Though he's gone nuts, I always knew there was something wrong with that man. Just look at him.


"not drug related".......yeah right

[Agehoobionibe]

Now dave can say "Im Nelson Mandela Bitch"

[Vznvtthq]

This sucks anus balls. It truly does. Chappelle's Show is my favorite show on TV. Hope he gets his head straight soon so he can finish the season.