Chappelle's Show was a comedy television series hosted by and starring comedian Dave Chappelle that ran for two complete seasons on Comedy Central. In 2005, Chappelle signed a $50 million deal to continue the show for two additional seasons, but walked away after only shooting portions of three episodes, citing creative differences and a stifling professional atmosphere.
Fast Facts:
- Network: Comedy Central
- First Aired: January 22,2003
- Starring: Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy
Brief Background
Chappelle's Show debuted in 2003 and immediately became a hit for Comedy Central. The DVD of Season 1 of the show became the best-selling TV show DVD in history, and many of Dave Chappelle's catchphrases on the show, such as "I'm Rick James, bitch!", became embedded in American culture. Chappelle, a young comedian who had already met success in films such as Half Baked, delivered a form of sketch comedy that lampooned race relations and stereotypes while all the while keeping audiences laughing and critics impressed. Chappelle's abandonment of his contract with Comedy Central brought the show to a halt at the height of its popularity, and the 32 episodes which aired are repeated often.
