The history between Chevy Chase and the cult-favorite sitcom “Community” is one of the most well-documented television feuds of the last decade. Chase, who played Pierce Hawthorne, famously exited the series after four seasons following a series of highly publicized clashes with creator Dan Harmon.
The tension culminated in reports of an on-set incident involving the actor’s use of racial slur during a creative frustration, a moment that signaled the final breaking point for his tenure on the show. Now, over a decade later, Chase is offering his own perspective on the fallout that led to his exit.
‘I’m Not Racist’: Chase Addresses the ‘Community’ Fallout
While promoting the new CNN documentary “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not” in a conversation with The New York Times, Chase dismissively recalled the quality of the series. He stated: “It wasn’t a bad experience. I just didn’t think it was that good, the show.” When the conversation turned toward the nature of his departure and the specific controversies that surrounded it, the actor maintained a positive outlook on the conclusion of his run, simply saying: “I thought it ended great.”
Source: IMDb
Chase moved to clarify the circumstances of his exit, suggesting that the surrounding controversy was the result of a disconnect between himself and his colleagues. He explained: “It was too great a misunderstanding of what I was saying and not saying. I thought that there was at least one person — and another who, for some ungodly reason, didn’t get me, didn’t know who I was, or didn’t realize for one second I’m not racist.”
The actor attributed the reaction from certain members of the production to a generational gap and an ignorance of his professional history. He concluded: “They were too young to be aware of my work. Instead, there was some sort of visceral reaction from them.”
Ultimately, Chase’s comments suggest that he views the “Community” chapter as a footnote in a long career rather than a defining controversy. As the upcoming “Community” movie prepares to bring the rest of the study group back together, it seems increasingly clear that Chase is content to leave the halls of Greendale
