News is spreading that Dave Chappelle had a major meltdown and stormed off the stage after only a few jokes during his headlining set at Thursday’s oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival in Hartford, Conn.
According to WTNH News, Chappelle sat on a stool for several minutes and smoked a cigarette while hecklers taunted him with boos and yells.
Everything seemed fine at first, according to various attendees who were interviewed after the show. Dave Chappelle was telling jokes, as usual, but every time anyone would scream out anything, he would stop speaking and tell the crowd how “awful” it was.
The Associated Press reports that Chappelle told the audience he needed to do only about 25 minutes to get paid, then walked off after his contractually mandated time on stage.
This is not the first time the comedian has abruptly exited an act. He has had a troubled relationship at times with his audiences, leaving Comedy Central’s “Chappelle’s Show” in 2005 in the middle of producing its third season, walking away from a reported $50 million contract.
