The daughter of actor Chevy Chase, Caley Chase, has publicly recounted an incident during a wrap party for the television series Community, where her father was the target of heckling by the cast and crew. In the CNN documentary, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, she describes how the atmosphere turned hostile as they entered the celebration.
Caley, now 40, recalls her father being eager to share the experience with her and her mother. “My dad was super excited to bring me and my mom to the wrap party,” she said. However, upon their arrival, they were met with the crowd chanting, “F*** you, Chevy!” This moment was particularly painful for her, as she felt it was an unkind reception for her father, who was proud of his work on the show.
Community, which premiered in 2009, followed the comedic escapades of a diverse study group at a community college. The series ran for five seasons before being revived for a sixth season on Yahoo! Screen in 2015. Chase played the character Pierce Hawthorne, but his departure from the series in 2012 was marked by controversy, particularly after an incident involving a racial slur on set.
Director Jay Chandrasekhar, who is featured in the documentary, elaborated on the circumstances surrounding Chase’s exit. He recalled a specific incident involving a “blackface” hand puppet bit written for Chase’s character, which led to a confrontation with co-star Yvette Nicole Brown. Chandrasekhar noted that Brown left the set in response to the situation, highlighting the tension that existed on set regarding race relations.
According to Chandrasekhar, when the producer insisted that Brown return for a scene, Chase expressed confusion and frustration over the need for an apology. “Chevy claimed he didn’t say anything to offend Brown,” Chandrasekhar recounted, noting that Chase reacted with indignation when asked to apologize. This culminated in a dramatic moment where Chase reportedly stormed onto the set, declaring, “My career is ruined! I’m ruined!”
The fallout from the incident left a significant mark on the production. Harmon, the show’s creator, had previously clashed with Chase, creating a fraught working relationship. In a March 2023 podcast interview, Chase reflected on his relationship with Harmon, saying, “I have no idea if we’re OK,” while acknowledging Harmon’s sometimes difficult personality.
Brown has remained relatively silent about her working dynamic with Chase. In response to a fan question regarding their relationship, she simply stated, “Never have. Probably never will.” This suggests a lingering unease from their time together on set.
As discussions about race and representation continue to evolve in Hollywood, this incident underscores the complexities of workplace dynamics in the entertainment industry. The documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not provides a candid look at not just Chase’s career, but the broader cultural conversations surrounding it. The series Community remains a significant part of television history, not just for its humor but for the underlying tensions that ultimately shaped its production.
