Rumors of Dave Chappelle 'Meltdown' Go Viral
Did he or did he not have a tantrum while walking offstage? Twitter investigates.
(The Root) - Late last night, tweets began to fly from audience members of a Dave Chappelle show in Hartford, Conn.
Though all tweets confirm that Chappelle did, in fact, walk
offstage - there is video of him walking off as Kanye's "New Slaves"
plays -- details vary among those who claim they were in attendance.
Some say that Chappelle had a full meltdown onstage; others say he just
sat down and read a book.
Many angrily blamed Chappelle for the show's end, referencing his record of walking off stages and off his own hit show. But others, like audience member Mike Wellman,
point the finger at the crowd, who they say was loud and unruly and
became rude once it was clear that Chappelle was not simply going to
regurgitate famed lines from his popular television show.
So Dave Chapelle just went on stage, told jokes for around 3 minutes, and the audience wouldnt stop yelling things at him so he stopped
— Mike Wellman (@mikewellman88) August 30, 2013
Everybody hates Dave Chapelle now. I dont. People were not heckling the other comedians
— Mike Wellman (@mikewellman88) August 30, 2013
At one point Chapelle told the crowd “If someone sitting next you is yelling, punch them in the kidney”
— Mike Wellman (@mikewellman88) August 30, 2013
I did want to hear Chapelles jokes but people were literally yelling and yelling
— Mike Wellman (@mikewellman88) August 30, 2013
Based on this account -- and this one by Lesli-Ann Lewis,
who wrote about her experience at the show for Ebony -- it sounds as if
Chappelle walked offstage for the same reason he walked away from his
show: The crowd was only interested in catchphrases and superficial
snips. They came to laugh at him, not with him. This is especially easy
to believe when you happen upon those in attendance referring to him as a
"scum nigger."
There appears to be a pretty clear racial divide in the opinions surrounding the show, generally speaking. Most white commentators seem to view Chappelle's actions as those of a diva throwing a tantrum, while most black observers say he was standing up for himself and protecting his art.
For the ppl who heckled Dave Chappelle tonight, let this be a lesson: you don't disrespect a person & then expect them to perform for you.
— Brian Fleurantin (@BrFleurantin) August 30, 2013
Money has folks feeling super entitled. I paid for this show so I can act a fool. Actually, no you can't. You can act a fool at your house.
— Ashykins (@ASmith86) August 30, 2013
Dave Chappelle reminds me of Lauryn Hill. Everyone wants him to be the guy from the show. He's not that guy anymore, guys.
— Carolyn Edgar (@carolynedgar) August 30, 2013
#TeamChapelleRead more at Colorlines.
— Tyrion's Ladyfriend (@larimah) August 30, 2013
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