As to what I think.. Ive learned enough in my days to know that anything is possible and the story isnt really that far-fetched. It does put into context alot of confusion about the cancellation and what-not. But I do not know whether to believe it or not.

However, I do think that if this story continues to circulate the internet as much as it is, eventually its gonna be brought up in an interview with somebody like Chapelle or Charley Murphy. Though I doubt they would confirm it if it was true, if there was no truth to the story I’d expect a humourous, care-free reaction. If they act nervous while trying to discredit the story, it would only give the story more credit in my eyes.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/televisio.../2004-03-15-chappelles-show-dvd_x.htm

That website was paid for, it’s too nicely done.

Well, speaking as somebody who does web design just for the shit of it, just because you have a nice website doesn’t mean its bought and paid for. But I know what you’re saying.

The best refutation of it that I saw anywhere was on the Laugh Machine site I linked to somewhere above, where somebody pointed out how the article claims that the black klan member sketch was based on his grandfather. That really is more unbelievable than all the stuff about Oprah trying to crush him in his sleep or whatever - though that is really hilarious.

I have cable AND TiVo at work. It has changed the way I process information from television. Those who say TV rots your brain don’t realize that (thanks to the power of imagination) TV watching can be transformed into an interactive activity, if you’re willing to not just sit there and passively absorb what you’re being spoonfed.

http://www.dead-frog.com/archives/2005...12/chappelle_theory_conspiracy_as.php

Sorry, if that last bit was too promotional.

1) The stand-up special wasn’t new at all. It’s actually quite old. Comedy Central replays stuff like that uncensored late at night.

2) “Season 3″ isn’t really a season like we’re used to. Before fleeing, Chappelle shot a bunch of sketches. There’s only (I think) 4 episodes worth of material. And no in-betweens he does with the audience. CC is thinking of getting people like Chris Rock, Chris Tucker and Martin Lawrence to perform sort of a wake for the show in between sketches.

And what’s awesome about it is: it makes sense. I read a lot of strange things in the press shortly after Chappelle’s “breakdown”, and some were diparaging, such as actor Mike Epps’ comments about Chappelle

Yeah, that’s what’s so great about it - is that there ARE a lot of unanswered questions and rumors that flew around about the whole thing. This does a neat job of filling in the blanks, whether its true or not.

But never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined THIS theory that was put forth! And what’s awesome about it is: it makes sense. I read a lot of strange things in the press shortly after Chappelle’s “breakdown”, and some were diparaging, such as actor Mike Epps’ comments about Chappelle (at the time, Epps and Charlie Murphy were working on a movie together)…

Just think: if this CT has any validity, it can explain Eddie Murphy’s run-in with the tranny hooker that suddenly changed his career arc towards Disney movies. Disney is in bed with ABC, which is in bed with… Oprah Winfrey!

God, I love this stuff, viral marketing or not!

I think the biggest gap between people like Cosby and someone like Dave Chappelle is generational, not racial. All these old black performers want to be seen as elder statesmen to the youth, but the youth knows bullshit when they see and hear it.

Absolutely. I mean, what young black person looks up to Bill Cosby anymore. In my eyes, what Chappelle did was showed that it’s okay to talk about these issues. Race is not this horrible untouchable thing to never talk about. Cause if that’s the case, nobody ever gets anywhere. Nothing ever changes. This actually brought it out into the public eye, and showed how much was really there, and how it was okay to realize that a lot of this shit was really pretty ridiculous and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

Whether it’s true or not is irrelevant. Personally, I feel that Chappelle was tired and exhausted from working his ass off for Comedy Central. And a preview of some of the sketches for the aborted Third Season (excerpts of which were seen during a recent CC special) confirms that Dave was getting sick of the hype machine going into overdrive.

I think the biggest gap between people like Cosby and someone like Dave Chappelle is generational, not racial. All these old black performers want to be seen as elder statesmen to the youth, but the youth knows bullshit when they see and hear it. That’s why someone like Dave Chappelle cites Richard Pryor & Eddie Murphy– NOT Bill Cosby –as his comic influence. Pryor nor Murphy would’ve never tried to tell Chappelle to change his content.

Speakin of the late great Pryor: Go rent Richard Pryor’s short-lived TV series, now on DVD for the first time. Like Chappelle, Pryor pulled the plug early on his NBC sketch series rather than watch it grow out of his control. It’s funny to see how the things that got the network so upset back then are tame by today’s standards.