Report blames pressure and partying for Chappelle's Show delay
NEW YORK (AP) - Dave Chappelle is under pressure, according to a Newsweek report.
The star of Comedy Central's popular Chappelle's Show is exhausted due to tension, partying and creative differences with the cable channel, causing the recent halt in the show's production, the report said, citing unnamed friends and sources.
Neither Comedy Central publicist Tony Fox nor Chappelle's spokesman, Matt Labov, has discussed what caused the halt in production or how long it will last. The third season was set to premiere May 31.
"All parties are optimistic that production will resume in the near future," Comedy Central said in a statement issued last week.
The Newsweek report claims Chappelle wants to delve into more controversial racial issues, unsettling Comedy Central executives, but Comedy Central and an employee in Chappelle's camp said last week the delay "is not a network issue."
Last summer, Comedy Central signed Chappelle to a deal reportedly worth $50 million US for a third and fourth season of his popular sketch-comedy series.
The two-year agreement also allowed Chappelle to develop other programming for the cable channel and cut him in on DVD sales, a lucrative factor considering his series' first-season DVD sold more than two million copies.
Last season the show was nominated for three Emmys, including outstanding comedy series.
Oh noes! Chapalle show in trouble?!
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