Chappelles Show Television Program

Late last month, comic Dave Chappelle called his bosses at the Viacom Inc.-owned cable network Comedy Central with some distressing news. He had suddenly decided to quit "Chappelle's Show," the enormously popular sketch series that has made him a $50-million star and a household name among young fans of his outrageous spoofs and impersonations. The reasons were murky, and network President Doug Herzog stayed on the line for a long time, working hard to turn his star around.

Comedy Central couldn't resist the easy joke, opening the aborted third season of "Chappelle's Show" on Sunday with a shot of an empty stage and introduction of a star who never appears. It's the first of three episodes compiled from sketches left behind before Dave Chappelle's now-legendary freakout, walking out on a $50-million contract and one of TV's hottest shows two years ago under still-mysterious circumstances.

Time to face the facts: Dave Chappelle's hit Comedy Central series isn't coming back, says one of its stars. " 'Chappelle's Show' is over, man. Done," comic Charlie Murphy told TV Guide. "It took me a long time to be able to say those words, but I can say it pretty easy now, because it's the truth." Chappelle's sudden "spiritual retreat" to South Africa on the eve of his show's third season has left the series in limbo since May.

Comedian Dave Chappelle says he may never return to his hit Comedy Central show if the cable network goes through with plans to air new episodes culled from material he filmed before leaving the series. "I feel like it's kind of a bully move," Chappelle told Ohio's Dayton Daily News in a telephone interview for a story this week. "That's just how I feel about it. I don't know if that's the case. But if people don't watch it, then I'd be more than happy."

Dave Chappelle is back on Comedy Central -- well, kind of. The popular comedian, who last spring walked off his show just weeks before its season premiere, will be on view in four episodes' worth of sketches he filmed before his startling exit, the network announced Monday. The four half-hours of "Chappelle's Show" will premiere in weekly airings in April, May or June, the network said.

Comedian Dave Chappelle says he may never return to his hit Comedy Central show if the cable network goes through with plans to air new episodes culled from material he filmed before leaving the series. "I feel like it's kind of a bully move," Chappelle told Ohio's Dayton Daily News in a telephone interview for a story this week. "That's just how I feel about it. I don't know if that's the case. But if people don't watch it, then I'd be more than happy."

Comedy Central couldn't resist the easy joke, opening the aborted third season of "Chappelle's Show" on Sunday with a shot of an empty stage and introduction of a star who never appears. It's the first of three episodes compiled from sketches left behind before Dave Chappelle's now-legendary freakout, walking out on a $50-million contract and one of TV's hottest shows two years ago under still-mysterious circumstances.

Dave Chappelle is back on Comedy Central -- well, kind of. The popular comedian, who last spring walked off his show just weeks before its season premiere, will be on view in four episodes' worth of sketches he filmed before his startling exit, the network announced Monday. The four half-hours of "Chappelle's Show" will premiere in weekly airings in April, May or June, the network said.

Time to face the facts: Dave Chappelle's hit Comedy Central series isn't coming back, says one of its stars. " 'Chappelle's Show' is over, man. Done," comic Charlie Murphy told TV Guide. "It took me a long time to be able to say those words, but I can say it pretty easy now, because it's the truth." Chappelle's sudden "spiritual retreat" to South Africa on the eve of his show's third season has left the series in limbo since May.

Late last month, comic Dave Chappelle called his bosses at the Viacom Inc.-owned cable network Comedy Central with some distressing news. He had suddenly decided to quit "Chappelle's Show," the enormously popular sketch series that has made him a $50-million star and a household name among young fans of his outrageous spoofs and impersonations. The reasons were murky, and network President Doug Herzog stayed on the line for a long time, working hard to turn his star around.