What's the deal with
Dave Chappelle? According to TMZ, Chapelle was reportedly acting strange on a private jet, so much so that the jet had to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh. Their source is stating that the flight was headed from New Jersey to Ohio and that Chappelle "freaked out," refusing to put on his seatbelt.
The source also says that Chappelle repeatedly walked into the cockpit, asking the pilot how much longer the flight would be, and even grabbed the pilot's arms. That is when it was allegedly determined that Chappelle was a safety risk, and the flight was grounded.
TMZ then claims that after landing, Chappelle checked into a hotel. However, sources at the hotel are claiming that Dave told the employees that he wanted to rent a car to go back to Ohio, but that he didn't remember where he lived.
I'm not sure what the deal is with Dave Chappelle, one of the most talented and privileged comedians in America. He had the world at his feet, with a hit show and a $50 million contract to do what he does best. It does appear, however, that there is something inside Chappelle that simply can't handle fame.
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In this handout photo provided by Disney, comedienne and Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique poses with a pair of Mickey Mouse gloves as she prepares to visit "Captain EO" on the film's grand re-opening day on July 2, 2010 at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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In this handout photo provided by Disney, comedienne and Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique poses with a pair of Mickey Mouse gloves as she prepares to visit "Captain EO" on the film's grand re-opening day on July 2, 2010 at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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I'm not here to say that Dave Chappelle has a drug or alcohol problem, but some might wonder if that's the case. Such peculiar behavior does nothing to give corporate America confidence that he is a reliable brand in which they should invest their money. Corporations don't like risk, and every celebrity who freaks out on a plane, uses the N-word on his girlfriend (Mel Gibson) or jumps up and down on Oprah's couch (Tom Cruise) becomes a risk that most financial backers are not willing to take.
Good luck Dave, I wish you the best.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (29)
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By: DawnKA on 7/03/2010 4:31PM
Unlike Mel Gibson who did Passion of Christ with his own resources and made millions and Tom Cruise, Robert Downey, etc. have been able to make movies - Dave Chappelle and others like him will be easily dismissed as too risky to invest.
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By: rdw on 7/03/2010 9:25PM
For your info Tom Cruise latest movie didn't do to well like they predict. Maybe because he has "alienated" alot of his fans too with his "strange" behavior or his promotion of his cult (scitology whatever bullsh!t) has really turned alot of people off to him now.
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By: mike on 7/03/2010 6:56PM
Boyceman, I know summer is here, and you are probably bored since nothing is going on up in Sayracuse, but come on invest in some intelligent stories.
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By: David1 on 7/03/2010 7:24PM
What ever is going on with him I hope he gets his act together. I don't think he will ever have any type of success in white racist Hollywood after turning down 50 million dollars. Hollywood is use to black comedians selling out. Though Dave Chappell is talented his main crossover appeal was being someone who was more than willing to use the N word for laughs. Just like Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor before him, they all had the same appeal. They all sold the word n*gg*r to the white masses and made millions for themselves. For the exception to Pryor if you take that word out of their vocabulary many black comedians would never have crossover success with whites.
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By: rdw on 7/03/2010 9:06PM
WTF do white people have to do with this dude acting a dam fool on a plane?
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By: Cassandra on 7/03/2010 7:24PM
Sounds like he was having an anxiety/panic attack.
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By: mh on 7/03/2010 11:27PM
"Such peculiar behavior does nothing to give corporate America confidence that he is a reliable brand in which they should invest their money."
Well good, because he is a human being, not a product. Corporate America used to literally brand black men--or have you forgotten? What shallow, crass thinking: Oh no, Dave is acting "peculiar" and damaging his "brand."
He's got plenty enough money and doesn't need advice from any of us.
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By: meanvee on 7/04/2010 12:42AM
Sounds like he might be bipolar, they need to get him checked out.
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By: adelayde on 7/04/2010 2:04PM
"BLACK" paid for by academic institutionalized maintenance of Jim Crow in classrooms Syracuse Dept of Education oversight with hindsight.. Chappelle symptomatic of allowing TEACHERS etal to assimilate white only colored imagery... Psych Dept MHMR negligent USED as comedy Chappelle understands reality not a joke STRESSSSSSSed ONLY FORM OF COMEDY(?) & OUTRAGE(?) depends on CONTEXT??? anthropologicworks.com
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By: ARNEADER on 7/04/2010 4:15PM
Since you won't say it, I will. Dave Chappelle was on drugs or alcohol! He was H.I.G.H.
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