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Comedian Dave Chappelle Tries "to Reinvent the Wheel"

By Trina Logan
Black College Wire

Dave Chappelle Web site Dave Chappelle, on a national tour that includes HBCUs, says "I'm just trying to reinvent the wheel, push the envelop, and be funny."

Picture a stock boy in a toy store.

You watch this guy every Friday and Saturday yelling at kids for stealing, placing Nintendos inside cases and Barbies and G.I. Joes on the toy store's shelves. Then, one night, the guy in the toy store quits after earning $50 at a comedy club. We�re talking about the hilarious Dave Chappelle.

Born in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 23, 1972, Chappelle started out telling jokes on the streets and later progressed to opening in local comedy clubs. His first comedy hour, on HBO in 2000, was "Killin' Them Softly," where he discussed his personal life and gave detailed observations about characters on the children's show "Sesame Street."

Some fans may remember him as a regular act on "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam."

"Def Jam didn't give me my start like it did Chris Tucker and Bernie Mac," said Chappelle during a phone interview. "If you did Def Jam on Friday, people will notice you at the mall or buy tickets for your show in that area, but that's it."

Chappelle is most known for his film roles in Mel Brooks� �Robin Hood: Men In Tights" (1993), "Half Baked" (1998) and "Undercover Brother" (2002). He has also played opposite Eddie Murphy and Tommy Davidson.

Chappelle's comedic material is so wild that when he guest-starred on "The Best D**n Sports Show," they tried to censor him. "I don't know why they bleeped my comments out. They asked me what was my sports fantasy and all I said was a three-way with Venus and Serena," said Chappelle.

Chappelle has been staying busy with his new "The Dave Chappelle Show" on Comedy Central.

"We've already done 10 shows, expect some material on Michael Jackson because that guy is taking up time on two different networks," said Chappelle. "I want this show to be funny while I talk about life, stuff I'm going through and just have fun with the audience."

Asked at Howard University what separated his television show from other variety programs, he said, "I'm just trying to reinvent the wheel, push the envelope, and be funny."

Chappelle spoke about a street comedian named Charles Burnett, who he said was legendary.

"I was 18 and I used to watch him perform comedy on the train and in the streets. He actually showed me how to perform with no microphone, cover charge or drinks in front of you," said Chappelle. "He stayed in the hospital from '92 to '95 and then he died. If I stopped doing television and movies today, because of him I would still be able to make money doing street comedy."

Trina Logan is a student at North Carolina A&T State University who writes for The A&T Register.