Gary Miller/Film Magic

The comic was performing as part of the Funny or Die Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival in Hartford, Conn.

Dave Chappelle found himself on the receiving end of a not-so-warm welcome at the Funny or Die Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival tour in Hartford, Conn., on Thursday.

According to local reports and at least one fan-captured video, the comedian walked off the stage during his performance, telling the crowd, "I like some of you, I hate some of you. I forgive some of you, but I don't forgive all of you."

Audience members tell The Hartford Courant that Chappelle's performance was going well, until he stopped telling jokes and instead opted to read passages from a book, smoke cigarettes and ramble on a variety of subjects, insulting the fans.

"The crowd was supportive, but once he stopped performing, they just turned," Joe Moriarty of Holliston, Mass., told the paper.

Another insider, Latanya Barrett of Bridgeport, Mass., said that "everything was great" for the show's first 10 minutes. "It was a typical crowd, yelling out occasional 'I love you' or something random. … But every time anyone would scream anything, he would stop speaking and tell us how awful we were. … It was just a regular crowd. … I didn't understand why he was doing this."

Cheers eventually turned to boos as tension filled the room, and after Chappelle stood onstage for his obligatory 25 minutes, he left.

"He picked up his pack of cigarettes and said something like 'I have a pack of cigarettes, a glass of water, I could sit here all night,'" said Hartford Courant reporter Julie Stagis. "He told a story about opening for Richard Pryor when he was 19, and how Richard was so sick at that point that he left midset, saying he couldn't do it anymore. He said this was like that, except he wasn't sick. … The heckling got bad because it was just horrible to watch."

Dave Chappelle Didn't Melt Down

[OPINION] Lesli-Ann Lewis attended the now-infamous Connecticut show and says the comedian is not the one who's got a problem

"You are booing yourself."

I just watched Dave Chappelle quit stand up. Out in the Comcast Theater in Hartford, Connecticut, shivering in the open air, I can’t think that this is anything else. I felt this coming just five minutes after the silver curtain had dropped dramatically, by which point the former Comedy Central star had barely gotten any jokes out. We all knew it was five minutes because, with an edge in his voice, Chappelle had ticked off the time.

I don't know. I wasn't there so I can't judge. There's been all different kinds of stories out there about what happened so, that the audience wouldn't stop heckling so he walked off, and stories like this one as far as he as the cause of the heckling. So, I dunno.

missfee said:

I don't know. I wasn't there so I can't judge. There's been all different kinds of stories out there about what happened so, that the audience wouldn't stop heckling so he walked off, and stories like this one as far as he as the cause of the heckling. So, I dunno.

Seems to be the crowd to me.

***

At the Gansevoort show a few years back, Dave jumped on stage and entertained the crowd while Prince took a break, and it was hilarious. I love him, and I love the Chappelle Show. He seems to be someone who is troubled by his own success, and that's too bad.

Efan said:

At the Gansevoort show a few years back, Dave jumped on stage and entertained the crowd while Prince took a break, and it was hilarious. I love him, and I love the Chappelle Show. He seems to be someone who is troubled by his own success, and that's too bad.

Or someone who is troubled by the means by which he reached success. He seems pointedly disturbed at the notion his broad appreciation has come at the expense of his dignity.

I'm not so sure I'd say he's sold himself out, but I very much respect that he's mature enough to consider the issue himself. We've very recently seen instances in which we wish certain artists would exude more self respect.

Lammastide said:

Efan said:

At the Gansevoort show a few years back, Dave jumped on stage and entertained the crowd while Prince took a break, and it was hilarious. I love him, and I love the Chappelle Show. He seems to be someone who is troubled by his own success, and that's too bad.

Or someone who is troubled by the means by which he reached success. He seems pointedly disturbed at the notion his broad appreciation has come at the expense of his dignity.

I'm not so sure I'd say he's sold himself out, but I very much respect that he's mature enough to consider the issue himself. We've very recently seen instances in which we wish certain artists would exude more self respect.

I don't know enough about his struggles, I guess. Are you saying he regrets his own comedy bits? I admire him for considering these things so deeply, but at the same time, it has an outward appearance that belies the seriousness of his own internal struggles. At least it often seems so to me. Nevertheless, I hope this recent event doesn't prevent him from continuing to perform. I hope it is just a minor unpleasant blip.

Efan said:

Lammastide said:

Or someone who is troubled by the means by which he reached success. He seems pointedly disturbed at the notion his broad appreciation has come at the expense of his dignity.

I'm not so sure I'd say he's sold himself out, but I very much respect that he's mature enough to consider the issue himself. We've very recently seen instances in which we wish certain artists would exude more self respect.

I don't know enough about his struggles, I guess. Are you saying he regrets his own comedy bits? I admire him for considering these things so deeply, but at the same time, it has an outward appearance that belies the seriousness of his own internal struggles. At least it often seems so to me. Nevertheless, I hope this recent event doesn't prevent him from continuing to perform. I hope it is just a minor unpleasant blip.

He's mentioned difficulty in dealing with a wide fanbase -- and particularly with a largely white fanbase -- who might enjoy his work as enforcing stereotypes and uncritical thinking around race rather than satirizing it. He seems to wonder if crowds like the one in Hartford are laughing at him rather than with him.

Check out the Ebony article I cited above or his 2006 Oprah interview. I'd be interested in hearing your feedback.

Lammastide said:

Efan said:

I don't know enough about his struggles, I guess. Are you saying he regrets his own comedy bits? I admire him for considering these things so deeply, but at the same time, it has an outward appearance that belies the seriousness of his own internal struggles. At least it often seems so to me. Nevertheless, I hope this recent event doesn't prevent him from continuing to perform. I hope it is just a minor unpleasant blip.

He's mentioned difficulty in dealing with a wide fanbase -- and particularly with a largely white fanbase -- who might enjoy his work as enforcing stereotypes and uncritical thinking around race rather than satirizing it. He seems to wonder if crowds like the one in Hartford are laughing at him rather than with him.

Check out the Ebony article I cited above or his 2006 Oprah interview. I'd be interested in hearing your feedback.

The Ebony artice is very interesting. It reminded me of how much I loved Chris Rock's N-word bit from Bring the Pain ("N------ always want credit for something you're supposed to do") that I found, and still to this day find, hysterical. I know Rock has mentioned that a lot of white people think it's OK for them to quote the bit to him when it's not. I find both Chappelle and Rock to be two very intelligent comedians, and their white audiences may think they too are intelligent and progressive enough to "get" the joke in ways that they truly haven't. But I don't honestly know how to dissect all of that viewpoint. I think there are so many aspects rightly brought up in the Ebony piece that simply go over white people's heads at certain times. Not that that would explain or justify what happened at this particular show.

Efan said:

Lammastide said:

He's mentioned difficulty in dealing with a wide fanbase -- and particularly with a largely white fanbase -- who might enjoy his work as enforcing stereotypes and uncritical thinking around race rather than satirizing it. He seems to wonder if crowds like the one in Hartford are laughing at him rather than with him.

Check out the Ebony article I cited above or his 2006 Oprah interview. I'd be interested in hearing your feedback.

The Ebony artice is very interesting. It reminded me of how much I loved Chris Rock's N-word bit from Bring the Pain ("N------ always want credit for something you're supposed to do") that I found, and still to this day find, hysterical. I know Rock has mentioned that a lot of white people think it's OK for them to quote the bit to him when it's not. I find both Chappelle and Rock to be two very intelligent comedians, and their white audiences may think they too are intelligent and progressive enough to "get" the joke in ways that they truly haven't. But I don't honestly know how to dissect all of that viewpoint. I think there are so many aspects rightly brought up in the Ebony piece that simply go over white people's heads at certain times. Not that that would explain or justify what happened at this particular show.

It's all just one, big cluster f*ck, isn't it?

What I most wonder about is Dave's next step. He's got such important things to say about society -- things that all of us might benefit in considering -- and I hope he finds some comfortable vehicle for expressing it. I've heard is said that humor is the final refuge of the truth. I find that insightful, and I think Dave is definitely among those humorists today who stand to be heard for the substance he brings.

Lammastide said:

Efan said:

I don't know enough about his struggles, I guess. Are you saying he regrets his own comedy bits? I admire him for considering these things so deeply, but at the same time, it has an outward appearance that belies the seriousness of his own internal struggles. At least it often seems so to me. Nevertheless, I hope this recent event doesn't prevent him from continuing to perform. I hope it is just a minor unpleasant blip.

He's mentioned difficulty in dealing with a wide fanbase -- and particularly with a largely white fanbase -- who might enjoy his work as enforcing stereotypes and uncritical thinking around race rather than satirizing it. He seems to wonder if crowds like the one in Hartford are laughing at him rather than with him.

Check out the Ebony article I cited above or his 2006 Oprah interview. I'd be interested in hearing your feedback.

I think this is the main point that Dave wrestles with as oppose to him being "troubled" by his own success. When he walked away from his show on Comedy Central, while some of his fans were questioning why he did it, even as going as far to say that he was on drugs I appreciated him even more for recognizing that it would be better for him to walk away as opposed to continue on doing work that may make him feel like he was selling his soul to the devil. I mean think about it, if Dave would have stayed on his show with him feeling the way he felt (and still feels) the show would have gone downhill eventually. And in constantly dealing with his internal demons, the result could have been some type of self destruction (look at Katt Williams who turned into a complete train wreck).

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

missfee said:

I don't know. I wasn't there so I can't judge. There's been all different kinds of stories out there about what happened so, that the audience wouldn't stop heckling so he walked off, and stories like this one as far as he as the cause of the heckling. So, I dunno.

Seems to be the crowd to me.

***

***

They wouldn't

[Edited 8/31/13 7:04am]

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

missfee said:

I don't know. I wasn't there so I can't judge. There's been all different kinds of stories out there about what happened so, that the audience wouldn't stop heckling so he walked off, and stories like this one as far as he as the cause of the heckling. So, I dunno.

Seems to be the crowd to me.

***

***

They wouldn't

[Edited 8/31/13 7:04am]

My ex husband and I attended that show and it WAS the crowd and not Dave. I just hate how everybody assumed he had some sort of "meltdown"

I dig people who refuse to do things when it doesn't fit their personal beliefs and morals.

So, I support his walking away from that stage.

The audience just wouldn't let him tell his jokes & shut up. I think he handled it well! But I can tell he don't care anymore. It wouldn't surprise me if he scrapped this whole tour altogether. I still like his stance about never dressing like a woman like all the other successful black comedians. He made a good point!!!

nammie said:

My ex husband and I attended that show and it WAS the crowd and not Dave. I just hate how everybody assumed he had some sort of "meltdown"

This means more to me that ANYTHING that ANY NEWSPAPER has published.

Thanks.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

The audience just wouldn't let him tell his jokes & shut up. I think he handled it well! But I can tell he don't care anymore. It wouldn't surprise me if he scrapped this whole tour altogether. I still like his stance about never dressing like a woman like all the other successful black comedians. He made a good point!!!

I missed that point, what did he say?

I'm not familiar with the American stand up comedians.

I only heard from him over here, because there was a mix up about the photographer and him

dJJ said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

The audience just wouldn't let him tell his jokes & shut up. I think he handled it well! But I can tell he don't care anymore. It wouldn't surprise me if he scrapped this whole tour altogether. I still like his stance about never dressing like a woman like all the other successful black comedians. He made a good point!!!

I missed that point, what did he say?

I'm not familiar with the American stand up comedians.

I only heard from him over here, because there was a mix up about the photographer and him

Oh! He just said years ago. That it seems like for every black male comedian to be successful they have to dress up like women. Which is actually true! He said he was told in a movie he filmed to do it and he refused. He said he is not selling himself or his soul like that. Dave does not play the game to be successful. He showed that when he walked away from millions! To continue to do his top rated successful show.

He either needs help, or needs to quit appearing in front of audiences.

"$25 + tips" comedians at the local Laff Stop can handle hecklers worse than that with ease.

I never really found him that funny. He takes himself too seriously IMO. Just shut up and sit your sorry ass down somewhere, Dave.

Shyra said:

I never really found him that funny. He takes himself too seriously IMO. Just shut up and sit your sorry ass down somewhere, Dave.

I think he's as funny as anyone out there. But if he can't handle the live gigs, he should stay on TV or movies or something where he controls the environment.

RodeoSchro said:

Shyra said:

I never really found him that funny. He takes himself too seriously IMO. Just shut up and sit your sorry ass down somewhere, Dave.

I think he's as funny as anyone out there. But if he can't handle the live gigs, he should stay on TV or movies or something where he controls the environment.

He should listen to Billy as in, "Fuck wrong with you, Kid? This ain't no time for your personal bullshit! This is a bidness!"

callimnate said:

I would think this isn't Mr. Chapllelle's first run in with a boisterous and obnoxious crowd.

Being a comedian, he should have the tools and the experience to go off on some of the knuckleheads... where they would either walk-out or STFU. In the latter part of Richard Pryor's career some folks came to his shows with the intentions of fucking with him, big mistake. Pryor would turn his 90 minute's act cracking on them. Brutal.

I can only speak of my personal experience, it took us 25 minutes of the crowd going over-board for us to leave. And at that time they were not being rude; they just wouldn't shut up so he couldn't get started the way he wanted. It was like we were amongst a bunch of drunk college kids

Dave Chappelle on Walk-Off: I Wanted to Call 'White,' 'Alcoholic' Audience 'Crackers'

Gary Miller/Film Magic

"If North Korea ever drops a bomb on this country, I hope to God it lands on Hartford, Connecticut," the comedian said onstage in Chicago Tuesday.

Dave Chappelle says he wanted to "pull a reverse Kramer" on a Hartford, Conn., audience he walked out on last week after being heckled.

Speaking onstage in Chicago on Tuesday, the comedian said the Hartford audience was a bunch of "young, white alcoholics," according to TMZ and audio posted on YouTube.

VIDEO: Dave Chappelle Walks Offstage Amid Crowd Boos

"I don't want anything bad to happen to the United States," Chappelle said, "but if North Korea ever drops a nuclear bomb on this country, I swear to God I hope it lands in Hartford, Connecticut."

He went on to reference an incident in which Seinfeld alum Michael Richards hurled racial slurs at African-American members of his audience during a 2006 stand-up show.

"I wanted to pull a reverse Kramer and call 'em all crackers or something crazy like that," Chappelle said. "I know that shit'll be on YouTube. 'Funnyman Dave Chappelle calls a room full of white people "crackers." ' Couldn't do that. I felt bad when Kramer did that shit to us."

PHOTOS: Dave Chappelle's Biggest Meltdowns

Last week, Chappelle's set in Hartford was apparently going well when, according to reports, he stopped telling jokes and began reading passages from a book, smoking, and expounding on a number of subjects. Members of the audience said there were some hecklers who occasionally screamed, causing Chappelle to stop. The cheers eventually gave way to boos as Chappelle stood onstage to run the clock out on his required 25-minute set before making his exit.

Listen to audio from the Chicago show below, but be warned it contains explicit language.

Video: http://www.hollywoodrepor...ted-620943

Can't say I blame him...