"I'm Rick James Bitch!" LOL c'mon I know you guys remember that one. Yeah, that was a funny catch phrase from Dave Chappelle's "Chappelle Show", a popular sitcom that aired on Comedy Central in 2003. On the show he impersonated people like lil John and of course Rick James.I remember when I was in middle school everyone used to act out the scenes from the show and talking about it. You think with such a large fan base why would he leave?
In August 2006 chappelle did an interview with Anderson Cooper on "ac360" explaning what happened to the show. Apparently Comedy Central was trying to buy Chappelle's jokes with a 50 million dollar contract to continue season three of the show. But there were certain issues during the filming of the show that never happened seasons one and two. Chappelle stated that "it was so mush negativity, so much undue pressure, sometimes I felt like I was put though stress deliberately to confused me."
That type of money is nice, but if I was doing the the show, and I was being forced to do something that I wasn't comfortable with, only for financial gain I wouldn't do it. Because constantly there will be someone who will ask you to do something foolish for them even when you don't want to. Just the fact that they paid you gives them the ability to run your life. "I paid you now you gotta do something for me." That was the situation that Dave was in and he tells Anderson this in the interview.
Chappelle stated "there's such a big price tag. You're working for $50 million and you're like "oh my god." But at a certain point, I feel miserable and I come here everyday? for what?"
In the beginning of 06 Chappelle left for Africa. Also, leaving his fans and the contract behind as well. Anderson asked Dave "why did you decide to go there?" Dave replied with "it was the only place where I felt safe, it was far away, it was a place where I felt there was no Comedy Central there. I needed a context where I could reflect. I felt like things around me are so chaotic, and I didn't even tell anyone where I was going."
Dave didn't even tell his wife because he didn't want the media to make any bad assumptions about why he left the U.S. Chappelle said "The funny thing about it I was only gone for two weeks! With everything I read they act like I bought an apartment.And I was only gone for TWO WEEKS BE COOL MAN!
Toward the end of the interview he started talking about the perspective that he got from when he was in Africa. He said that "there are elements of showbiz that's vicious for everybody. The elements of fame and fortune which everyone competes for. and can bring out the dark side in people. So he's grateful for where he's at."
I feel like more comedians/actors,or anyone one else trying to get to "the big time" should take a page out of Dave's book. I'm sure Dave's goal was like everyone else be the best that you can be, but don't sell yourself for money. Do what works for you, don't try to adjust yourself "JUST DO YOU."
Chappelle has certainly been doing that he lives with his wife Elaine, two sons, Sulayman and Ibrahim, and daughter Sonal, on a 65-acre farm, in Ohio. Chappelle is a Muslim, having converted to Islam in 1998.
aH BiG MiKeY DUn KNo ZeeT if yuuh dont know. Read the top my yoot.
