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Mike Epps on Dave Chappelle
Epps slams Chappelle for using white writers and not being a crackhead.

June 08, 2005 - I suppose everyone has their theories about what happened to Dave Chapelle in the weeks leading up to the delay of the third season of Chappelle's Show and his now infamous trip to Africa.

At a recent press day for The Honeymooners, comedian Mike Epps took it a step further, committing his opinion to record in front of a room full of journalists in which IGN FilmForce was present.

"I don't think he came from the background I came from. I don't think that. But my background. Everything around me is failure. You know what I mean? Trash in the alley. I got eight brothers and we all got damn near different daddies. I come from a real welfare family, you know mother struggling. My grandmother was the same way… So that alone, for you to come out in Hollywood and get in a movie will overwhelm the s**t out of you, if you from that. Now, you give me 50 million dollars, I ain't gonna go crazy. I'm gonna go to the mall and go and get some new cars, I'm about to go and put my momma in a new house, I'm about to give some of these kids in the community some money. That's all he should have did… Just give some of that money to the kids, and that will bring you right back… You'll realize that that's what that's for, is to share it, and you won't go crazy.

"The thing about it is, the material he was doing wasn't him. He don't come from no crackheads on the streets and s**t. You can't talk about black people like that and you don't even represent that. You don't come into the community and kick it with black kids. You got white writers on your show. You got white boys writing, talking about black people on the show, you know what I'm saying? You got Oprah lashing out at him. Not only that, you got people comparing him to Richard Pryor, so once you got that on you right there, and you ain't even came from what Richard Pryor came from, it look like you done tricked a bunch of motherf******, that's what it look like, and now you can't follow yourself, because you got that material from some other people. Charlie Murphy and them did all that. I remember the show blowing up from, 'I'm rich, *****' and James Brown and Rick James and all that.

"What I really think, true heart to heart, is that you only as good as your last s**t. That go for me, Cedric [the Entertainer], everybody in this business. You only as good as your last s**t. If you do good the last time I see you, I'm still good with you, but you gotta follow everything you do…"

/jealousy

 

[sprsk]

awwwww thats cute

 

[enjoy bell woods]

Some good English there, too.

 

[Teddman]

I agree with the first paragraph. The rest I'm not sure about what the Hell Epps means, but it's funny.

I do get what he's saying about Richard Pryor, the guy actually had issues with cocaine and when used them as material for stand-up the results were utterly hilarious (See "Live on the Sunset Strip"). So Dave's stuff about crackheads doesn't have the edge from experience that Pryor's did, true, but really who can compare to Pryor? Whether or not you have to have done drugs to effectively lampoon drug abusers is another question...

 

[Particle Physicist]

'im better than you cause my parents are fucked up'

 

[Deleted member 1235]

If there is one thing I hate, it's when funny ass comedians don't come from the background that some dude I've never heard of has.

 

[the_geche]

He does have a point but he does sound a lil jaded...

 

[btrboyev]

The only thing I got from that whole thing was that his mom was a god damn whore.

 

[Teddman]

This preceding paragraph does lend a much better context to the remarks that follow.

The subject came up when Epps mentioned his worries about playing Richard Pryor in a potential upcoming project directed by Walter Hill. Someone asked whether his stress compared to Chappelle's and Epps laughed, snapping into a response. "You know, coming from where I come from, I'm already crazy. S**t. You ain't got to worry about me going. I'm crazy, straight up. I done seen the psychiatrist, I been on the little pills or whatever they got. You know what I'm saying? I'm for real. He just goin' through some new s**t. This is him going through his. I thank God I been through mine at an early age. Going through it and being on drugs. I went crazy after Next Friday because certain things overwhelm us, man. That's overwhelming…

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/623/623679p1.html

 

[the_geche]

If there is one thing I hate, it's when funny ass comedians don't come from the background that some dude I've never heard of has.

Mike Epps is the dude from the last two Friday movies, Resident Evil, and some more shit...

 

[themadcowtipper]

Mike Epps is the dude from the last two Friday movies, Resident Evil, and some more shit...

Also he was in How High(movie stunk) but his part( Baby Powder)was funny shit

 

[Deleted member 1235]

Mike Epps is the dude from the last two Friday movies, Resident Evil, and some more shit...

not sure any of that makes him better than chappelle.....

 

[Teknopathetic]

Sounds like jealousy to me.

 

[Lyte Edge]

Hey Mike Epps, why aren't you saying the same thing about your Next Friday co-star Ice Cube? He's from the suburbs too. I didn't realize you need to be from the ghetto to be FUNNY. Dave and the white writer (forget his name) wrote the show together. This is pretty common knowledge.

Complete and utter jealousy from a lousy C-list actor, but this probably gives Dave some new material and someone new to make fun of whenever he gets Chappelle's Show going again.

I'm guessing someone must have said something about Chappelle being 10 times funnier than Epps at his movie premiere-- oops, sorry, I meant at Cedric The Entertainer's movie premiere, that touched a nerve.

 

[siege]

So essentially what we've concluded from Epps little rant here, is that a) he's a racist, b) his mother was promiscuous, and c) he's an idiot.

 

[TheDuce22]

Chappelle says specifically in the commentary that he and his white friend are the only two writers, and alot of it is adlibed on the set by Chappelle.

 

[DarienA]

Mike Epps is funny... but this is straight up haterade... let it go Mike.. let it go.

 

[NintendosBooger]

This guy has the cheek to make these remarks when he's doing a goddamn Honeymooners movie.

 

[the_geche]

Hold on I just thought about something, Dave Chappele is from Southeast D.C and it aint nothing nice down there. He (supposedly) even grew up and went to school around the time crack destroyed much of DC. I just read the whole article and it looks like Mike Epps finally exposed himself for the bitch that he is. Shuckin' and jivin' JJ Evans wannabe. He ain't fit to touch the dandruff on Dave's kufi. Talking about Chappelle has white writers? The Honeymooners movie script was written by all white people. They brought in one black guy to add jokes here and there to fit him and Ced but his name isn't in the credits. Chappelle's show has four writers. Two black (Dave, Charlie Murphy) and two white (Neal Brennan, Bryan Tucker). 90-95% of the show is written by Dave and his boy Neal together. Bryan Tucker used to write for Chris Rock. Chris Rock has a lot of white writers. It really doesn't matter if they're white or black as long they're funny. Now he wants to play Richard Pryor? He better step his game up considerably before he steps in those shoes.

 

[themadcowtipper]

Mike and Dave are both funny fuckers to say otherwise is crazy.

 

[themadcowtipper]

double post

 

[WasabiKing]

OH.... HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE

Someone's just angry that he missed out on the gravy train.

 

[Particle Physicist]

white people arent allowed to be funny. also, only black people are allowed to make fun of other races.

its not a rule. its the law.

 

[Teddman]

Not only that, you got people comparing him to Richard Pryor, so once you got that on you right there, and you ain't even came from what Richard Pryor came from, it look like you done tricked a bunch of motherf******, that's what it look like, and now you can't follow yourself, because you got that material from some other people. Charlie Murphy and them did all that. I remember the show blowing up from, 'I'm rich, *****' and James Brown and Rick James and all that.

I have to wonder though... Is he right about this part? I'm talking about the speculation of what made Chappelle snap. I mean, Chappelle must've freaked out for a reason and takes forever to come up with new material. He doesn't seem to really like doing the show.

I looked around the web and some of the bits that made the show so popular--the Rick James stuff--were contributions from Charlie Murphy.

 

[DarienA]

I have to wonder though... Is he right about this part? I'm talking about the speculation of what made Chappelle snap. I mean, Chappelle must've freaked out for a reason and takes forever to come up with new material. He doesn't seem to really like doing the show.

I looked around the web and some of the bits that made the show so popular--the Rick James stuff--were contributions from Charlie Murphy.

Uh, but none of the writers have left the show.... and come on... if you think that only the stuff that made the show popular was the Real Hollywood stories thing... you're trippin. Yes the Rick James bit was popular, but please we've had 2 seasons of a shitload of funny skits. And where did you come to the conclusion that he didn't like doing the show? Link? Everything I've read says he's a perfectionist... and if that's the case... those people are crazy... will totally redo something at the slightest doubt, etc....

 

[Teddman]

Uh, but none of the writers have left the show....

You're not counting Chappelle, right?

 

[DarienA]

You're not counting Chappelle, right?

<sigh> Lame joke attempt.

 

[Teddman]

No joke intended, he literally did leave the show and he's half the writing team. There hasn't been anything official saying it's back on, though there is the small matter of a contract with Comedy Central. Anyway, when you said none of the writers had left the show, as far as I know reports say that he and Brennan pretty much were penning every line of the 3rd season.

 

[TheDuce22]

And where did you come to the conclusion that he didn't like doing the show? Link?

I must be the only one that watched the season 2 DVDs with the commentary on. He says the he and Brennan are the only 2 writers and everyone else just suggests ideas or lines. They (DAVE AND BRENNAN) actually sit down and write the script then when they get everything set up Dave adlibs alot of it. He also says he pretty much hated the job. HE SAYS OVER AND OVER IN THE COMMENTARY HE HATED WORKING THE 18 HOUR DAYS WHILE THEY WERE FILMING!!!! I get the feeling thats the reason he doesnt want to go back, hes not ready to deal with such a harsh schedule yet.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

where did all this "Chappelle went crazy" stuff come from? Its not like he pulled a Martin Lawrence. The guy was mentally exhausted and wanted some time off. Probably puts a lot of pressure on a guy to have that much money riding on your show, im sure Mike Epps can sympathise, it must have been hard to have the expectations that come with being "No, not Chris Tucker, that OTHER guy" in Friday 3 and opening a "Honeymooners" remake that nobody wants to see and will probably bomb.

 

[DarienA]

Dude, he literally did leave the show, it's not a joke. There hasn't been anything official saying it's back on. Anyway, when you said none of the writers had left the show, as far as I know reports say that he and Brennan pretty much were penning every line of the 3rd season.

My point is that you said that alot of the most popular stuff came from OTHER writers... he and Brennan have been pals FOREVER hell they co-wrote Half-Baked together.

To try to say Dave's writing wasn't as integral to the show as some of the other folks is crazy... they all contributed, some Dave's shit was very popular, some of Brennan's, etc., etc.

I must be the only one that watched the season 2 DVDs with the commentary on.

No but you sure as hell came to a different conclusion than I did.

 

[evil ways]

This guy has the cheek to make these remarks when he's doing a goddamn Honeymooners movie.

Not only that but with Cedric The Entertainer of all people. Can't wait until Paul Mooney rips him a new one.

 

[Teddman]

My point is that you said that alot of the most popular stuff came from OTHER writers... he and Brennan have been pals FOREVER hell they co-wrote Half-Baked together.

No, just the Rick James skit, which Epps mentioned. The point is that Epps implied much of Chappelle's stress could have come from single handedly trying to carry the show with Brennan (AKA "white boy") and live up to the level of some very popular skits in the previous season that other writers such as Charlie Murphy had heavily contributed to.

While I don't really agree with the manner in which Epps said it, there may be a grain of truth there.

 

[mattx5]

I have no problem with the fact that Dave wanted a break, hell he deserves it, but the fact that he had a $50 million contract with CC, and that the show was scheduled to air a long time ago but got pushed back first because of creative problems and lately because Dave went completely AWOL is a bit unfair to CC. I can't help but wonder if there was a better way to go about this than by dissapearing off the continent without telling anyone.

 

[pj]

Chappelle says specifically in the commentary that he and his white friend are the only two writers, and alot of it is adlibed on the set by Chappelle.

Chip?

"Dave, DAVE... It's the god damned critics"

 

[DarienA]

No, just the Rick James skit, which Epps mentioned. The point is that Epps implied much of Chappelle's stress could have come from single handedly trying to carry the show with Brennan (AKA "white boy") and live up to the level of some very popular skits in the previous season that other writers such as Charlie Murphy had heavily contributed to.

While I don't really agree with the manner in which Epps said it, there may be a grain of truth there.

You sugar coated that pretty well... Epps questions whether any of the funny stuff came from Dave, and not knowing shit about Southeast DC questions what type of environment Dave grew up in.

That's hate plain and simple.

Now if you sugar coat was what Epps was trying to say, then there was a much better way of saying it without throwing in the insults.

Could Dave have gone off because he feels that the stuff he and the other writers were writing for the 3rd season wasn't as funny?

Of course... that still doesn't excuse Mike for the unnecessary insults.

And NONE of us Dave defenders think he did the right thing in just vanishing, but it sure as hell was better than running down the street in your underwear... or flipping your Viper... or setting yourself on fire...

 

[TheDuce22]

To quote my edited post.

HE SAYS OVER AND OVER IN THE COMMENTARY HE HATED WORKING THE 18 HOUR DAYS WHILE THEY WERE FILMING!!!! I get the feeling thats the reason he doesnt want to go back, hes not ready to deal with such a harsh schedule yet.

 

[WasabiKing]

Before Season 2, it was about Player Haters Ball and almost anything with Tyrone Biggums, so I don't think it's fair to say that you can pin all the success on Charlie Murphy (cause his 'standup' is just storytelling) OR Lil' Jon. I'd think that Chappelle is the least jealous of anyone's success, he actually called Wayne Brady after the first mention from Paul Mooney (Negrodamus) and invited him to come since he wanted to work on a skit.

Let's not forget that this show is about sketch comedy, and it's pretty tough to pull off a one-man sketch show week in and week out. Mike Epps is just angry that he gets roles that Chappelle passes up.

 

[DarienA]

To quote my edited post.

Duce... there's a difference between hating the long hours, and hating what you do. I love my job, but I've hated when we've had to do long hours to do new software rollouts, etc.... Dave enjoys comedy, he enjoys the adlibbing which goes on, on the set. He doesn't like the long hours that it takes to produce the product, but he loves the product.

A subtle difference you apparently missed.

 

[Future Trunks]

Am I the only one seeing the big picture here?


....


...that's right folks, more Season 3 material! Dave! Neal! Get on it! I want a Mike Epps parody skit stat!....of course, Dave, do it at your leisure, sir....if you like....maybe....perhaps.

 

[TheDuce22]

Duce... there's a difference between hating the long hours, and hating what you do. I love my job, but I've hated when we've had to do long hours to do new software rollouts, etc.... Dave enjoys comedy, he enjoys the adlibbing which goes on, on the set. He doesn't like the long hours that it takes to produce the product, but he loves the product.

Having worked 16 hour days for 2 months straight with no weekends I can understand where he might be coming from though. It gets old, I dont care how much you like your job. You need to be in the right state of mind when you go into it, especially for comedy. If I had the option I would probably put it off as long as possible too.

 

[OG_Original Gamer]

Could anybody have done the true hollywood stories better than Dave? It is Dave playing the part in those skits that made them so funny. Mike should of spoke to Dave personally, before flapping his gums. If you don't know shit, you don't know shit.

Dave quickly became a money magnet in the eyes of studio execs, they're probably on his ass like flies on shit. Its gonna get worse with the recent success of the season two dvd.

 

[Claus]

We all know who the better comedian is...

He's hilarious!

 

[Socreges]

The money didn't make Dave go crazy. The money made his friends go crazy, who then (according to him) made him go AWOL.

Anyway, this is retarded.

I agree with the first paragraph. The rest I'm not sure about what the Hell Epps means, but it's funny.

I do get what he's saying about Richard Pryor, the guy actually had issues with cocaine and when used them as material for stand-up the results were utterly hilarious (See "Live on the Sunset Strip"). So Dave's stuff about crackheads doesn't have the edge from experience that Pryor's did, true, but really who can compare to Pryor? Whether or not you have to have done drugs to effectively lampoon drug abusers is another question...

Um, Richard Pryor compared Chappelle to Richard Pryor. The guy effectively said "he will be the next me".

 

[Dan]

Um, Richard Pryor compared Chappelle to Richard Pryor. The guy effectively said "he will be the next me".

Heh, Dave Chappelle gets to be the next Pryor while Mike Epps gets to play Pryor. Yeah, I'd say there's some bitterness.

 

[karasu]

The money didn't make Dave go crazy. The money made his friends go crazy, who then (according to him) made him go AWOL.

Anyway, this is retarded.


Um, Richard Pryor compared Chappelle to Richard Pryor. The guy effectively said "he will be the next me".

He said the same thing about Eddie Griffin.

 

[Teddman]

Um, Richard Pryor compared Chappelle to Richard Pryor. The guy effectively said "he will be the next me".

Not quite, but close enough:

Pryor suffers from multiple sclerosis and is incapacitated. He obviously couldn't talk on camera because he's too ill, but his wife spoke for him and told us that Pryor feels that he has passed the torch on to Chappelle.

"That’s more pressure than $50 million. That’s a lot of pressure. He was the best, man," says Chappelle. "For him to say that is, you know, that’s something, I don’t even know if I’ll attempt to live up to that."

It's odd how every article/interview refers to this enormous "pressure" on Chappelle.

Anyhow, he's great and all, but I don't see him as "the next Richard Pryor." I don't think Chappelle has the acting range, box office appeal, or even quite the standup chops. Eddie Murphy's closer in my book.

He said the same thing about Eddie Griffin.

The poor man's not well.

 

[themadcowtipper]

Richard Pryor dosent even know he was Richard Pryor, you think he knows who will be the next Richard Pryor

 

[Ninja Scooter]

He said the same thing about Eddie Griffin.

Eddie Griffin could have been the next Pryor, but he spent all his fortunes on a car for his momma and PCP.

 

[karasu]

Not quite, but close enough:It's odd how every article/interview refers to this enormous "pressure" on Chappelle.

Anyhow, he's great and all, but I don't see him as "the next Richard Pryor." I don't think Chappelle has the acting range, box office appeal, or even quite the standup chops. Eddie Murphy's closer in my book.
The poor man's not well.

I agree. Chappelle has a really funny show, but so did Keenan Ivory Wayans and the gang at one point. Let's not go overboard here.