A forthcoming documentary about veteran comedian Chevy Chase has been met with a wall of silence from his former colleagues on the cult sitcom Community. The film's director has revealed that every single cast member she approached declined to participate on camera, casting a shadow over the project 13 years after Chase's controversial departure from the show.
A Universal Refusal
Marina Zenovich, the filmmaker behind I'm Chevy Chase, and You're Not, hoped to feature insights from the star's co-stars in the documentary, which is scheduled to premiere on 1 January. However, in an interview with Variety, she disclosed a blanket rejection. 'Every single person' from the show said no, including the series creator Dan Harmon, whom she initially believed was on board. Zenovich eventually secured an interview with director Jay Chandrasekhar, who was helming an episode of Community during a pivotal on-set incident.
The On-Set Incident and Aftermath
The documentary delves into the 2012 controversy where Chase allegedly used a racial slur during an argument with co-star Yvette Nicole Brown. Chandrasekhar recounts that after both stormed off set, Brown demanded an apology. Upon returning, Chase did not apologise and, according to Chandrasekhar, referenced a past relationship with Richard Pryor to justify the language. The incident was leaked to the press, leading to a production halt and Chase being forced to issue an apology. He left the series after its fourth season.
Further reports emerged of Chase making racially insensitive remarks to co-star Donald Glover. In a 2018 interview, Glover stated that Chase once told him, 'People think you're funnier because you're black.' Glover reflected on Chase as someone 'fighting time,' while Chase later said he was 'saddened' by Glover's perception.
Legacy and Silence
The collective refusal of the Community ensemble – which included Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, and Ken Jeong – to contribute speaks volumes about the lasting impact of these events. The CNN Films documentary, I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not, will now premiere without their testimonies, offering a portrait of a complex figure whose reign in comedy has been overshadowed by controversy. It airs on 1 January at 8 pm EST.
