New Chevy Chase Documentary Shares Insights on Controversial N-Word Incident and Dan Harmon’s Role in the Anti-Chase Chant
Upcoming CNN Documentary Reveals Controversial Chevy Chase Incident
The highly anticipated CNN documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not is set to premiere on January 1, but it has already sparked significant conversations. New revelations are surfacing regarding an infamous 2012 incident that led to Chevy Chase’s abrupt exit from the popular sitcom Community.
In the documentary, director Jay Chandrasekhar recounts a "meltdown" that Chase experienced on set following an incident in which he reportedly used a racial slur during a conversation with co-star Yvette Nicole Brown, as reported by People magazine. Though Chandrasekhar did not directly hear the exchange, he confirmed he was present while directing that night when Chase was dismissed from the show. The situation escalated from a scripted scene involving Chase’s character, Pierce Hawthorne, which included a "blackface" puppet bit.
Chandrasekhar explains in the documentary, “I know that there was a history between [Chase and Brown] around race,” noting Brown’s reaction when she left the set. He recalled, “Chevy storms off, so the producer is like, ‘We need Yvette in the scene, right?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, she’s in the next scene.’ And he goes, ‘Well, she won’t come out unless Chevy apologizes to her.’”
Chase reportedly denied any wrongdoing, claiming, “You know, me and Richard Pryor, I used to call Richard Pryor the N-word, and he used to call me The Honky, and we loved each other.” Chandrasekhar acknowledged this but urged for a simple apology, which Chase dismissed: “For what?”
As news of the incident leaked, Chandrasekhar described Chase’s reaction as a “full meltdown.” He recounted, “He came storming onto the set, and he goes, ‘Who fcked me over? … My career is ruined! I’m ruined!’ Like, it’s a full meltdown. ‘Fck all of you!’” Soon after, Chase did not return to the set.
Despite later apologizing, Chase departed Community following its fourth season in 2013, with only a brief appearance in 2014.
Chandrasekhar reflects on a troubling episode during the show’s wrap party, where tensions were palpable. He stated, “It was out in the open that Chevy Chase was a little difficult on Community, and I’m being nice.”
At the wrap party, it is alleged that creator Dan Harmon incited attendees to chant “F*ck you, Chevy!” as Chase entered, which led to an infamous voicemail from Chase, filled with expletives directed at Harmon.
Caley Chase, Chevy’s daughter, shares her perspective on the incident, recalling, “My dad was super excited to bring me and my mom to the wrap party.” She remembers their entrance being marred by the crowd’s chants, saying, “That’s rough. And mean.”
The documentary promises to provide an in-depth look into not only Chase’s career but also the complexities that unfolded on the set of Community.
