Chevy Chase’s On-Set Outburst: A ‘Community’ Director Recalls the Fallout

Key Takeaways:

• Director Jay Chandrasekhar recalls the 2012 on-set incident that led to Chevy Chase’s departure from the TV show Community
• The incident involved a "blackface hand puppet" storyline and an alleged racial slur used by Chase
• Chase had a history of tension with costar Yvette Nicole Brown, who is Black, and refused to apologize to her after the incident
• The incident led to a "full meltdown" by Chase, who eventually left the show after season 4
• Chase has not publicly commented on the incident, but appears in the documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, which premieres on January 1 on CNN

Introduction to the Incident
The documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, set to premiere on CNN on January 1, features an interview with director Jay Chandrasekhar, who shares his memories of the night Chevy Chase got fired from the TV show Community. According to Chandrasekhar, the incident occurred in 2012, during the filming of a scene that involved a "blackface hand puppet" storyline written for Chase’s character, Pierce Hawthorne. The scene was intended to showcase the character’s tone-deafness, but it ultimately led to a heated exchange between Chase and his costar Yvette Nicole Brown, who is Black.

The On-Set Incident
Chandrasekhar recalls that Chase said something to Brown, although he didn’t hear what it was at the time. However, he knew that there was a history of tension between the two actors regarding race, and Brown got up and stormed out of the set. Chase also stormed off, and the producer informed Chandrasekhar that Brown would not return to the scene unless Chase apologized to her. When Chase returned to the set, he denied saying anything to Brown and instead brought up his past friendship with the late comedian Richard Pryor, claiming that they used to use racial slurs as a term of endearment. However, when Chandrasekhar suggested that Chase apologize to Brown, he refused, saying "For what?"

The Aftermath of the Incident
The incident took a turn for the worse when someone leaked the story to The Hollywood Reporter, which reported that Chase had used a racial slur during the filming of the scene. Although the outlet clarified that the slur was not directed at Brown or another Black costar, Donald Glover, the damage was already done. Chase returned to the set, furious and demanding to know who had leaked the story. He had a "full meltdown," according to Chandrasekhar, shouting and cursing at the cast and crew. The director attempted to calm him down and continue filming, but Chase never returned to the set after that.

The Fallout and Chase’s Departure
The incident marked the end of Chase’s time on Community, as he left the show after season 4. Although he made a brief appearance in season 5, his departure was a significant blow to the show. Chandrasekhar’s account of the incident provides a behind-the-scenes look at the tensions and conflicts that can arise on set, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like race and representation. The documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not promises to offer a candid and unflinching look at Chase’s career and personal life, including his experiences on Community.

Conclusion and Reflection
The incident on the set of Community serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a respectful and inclusive work environment, particularly in the entertainment industry. The fact that Chase refused to apologize to Brown and instead became defensive and angry highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of the impact of our words and actions on others. As the documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not prepares to premiere, it’s clear that the incident on Community will be a major topic of discussion, and one that will likely spark important conversations about race, representation, and the responsibilities of those in the entertainment industry.