Chevy Chase’s Emotional Reaction on the Set of Community After Controversial Incident, Witness Shares Insight

Chevy Chase on ‘Community’.
Credit :

Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Need to Know

• Director Jay Chandrasekhar reflects on Chevy Chase’s exit from Community in CNN’s documentary, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not.
• The filmmaker described a “meltdown” following Chase’s use of a racial slur on set.
• I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not premieres Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST on CNN.

New details regarding the incident that led to Chevy Chase’s exit from Community are highlighted in Jay Chandrasekhar’s upcoming documentary, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not.

Chandrasekhar, who directed multiple episodes of the sitcom, recounted the 2012 incident in which Chase used the N-word, contributing to a contentious situation on set that resulted in his termination. The conflict began during a skit involving a “blackface” hand puppet designed for Chase’s character, Pierce Hawthorne.

During the filming, Chandrasekhar recalled that Chase exchanged words with co-star Yvette Nicole Brown, although he did not specifically hear what was said. At the time, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Chase expressed frustration regarding his character’s development, leading to the controversial remark while questioning dialogue choices. Despite the presence of Brown and fellow cast member Donald Glover, the slur was not directed at them.

The main cast of ‘Community’ season 1.

Mitchell Haaseth/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Chandrasekhar further noted the existing tensions between Chase and Brown regarding race, stating that after the incident, Brown left the set in frustration. A producer then insisted that she would not return unless Chase issued an apology. Upon returning, Chase reportedly refused to acknowledge the remark.

“He goes, ‘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 recounted, expressing his own acknowledgment of the controversial nature of the comment. After the episode, news of a “racial incident” leaked, leading to a significant fallout.

Describing Chase’s subsequent behavior, Chandrasekhar described a “full meltdown” as the actor confronted the crew, exclaiming, “Who f—– me over? My career is ruined! I’m ruined!” This emotional outburst happened just before Chase never returned to the set.

Production was halted following the incident, and Chase later issued an apology. He departed from Community after the fourth season aired in 2013, making an occasional appearance in 2014.

The fallout from this incident was compounded by an ongoing feud between Chase and creator Dan Harmon over creative differences, which are also explored in the documentary. Chandrasekhar remarked on the public discourse surrounding Chase’s difficult persona during the series, highlighted by a wrap party incident where Harmon encouraged attendees to chant, “F—- you, Chevy!” This animosity culminated in a notable voicemail left by Chase for Harmon.

Dan Harmon and Chevy Chase in 2009.

 Frederick M. Brown/Getty 

Caley Chase, one of Chevy’s daughters, described the awkwardness of the aftermath at the wrap party in the documentary, recalling that their family walked into a scene where cast and crew were chanting against him. “We walk in, Dan, he had had some drinks. He had gotten the whole cast and crew to yell, ‘F—- you, Chevy!'” she shared, adding, “That’s rough. And mean.”

I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not is set to premiere on January 1, 2021, at 8 p.m. EST / 5 p.m. PST on CNN.