"My Career Is Ruined!" Inside Chevy Chase's Community N-Word Meltdown

"My career is ruined! I'm ruined!" These were the desperate shouts of Chevy Chase as he stormed onto the set of the hit comedy 'Community.' A new CNN Films documentary, set to premiere on January 1, 2026, finally reveals the raw details of the 2012 incident that led to the comedy legend's abrupt departure from the show.

The 2012 Chevy Chase Community Meltdown Timeline

Director Jay Chandrasekhar recalls the night vividly. According to Entertainment Weekly, the tension started with a "blackface hand puppet" storyline written for Chase's character, Pierce Hawthorne. Chase, increasingly frustrated with his character's direction, reportedly used the while questioning the dialogue. Costar Yvette Nicole Brown immediately walked off the set in protest.

When asked to apologize, Chase initially refused, citing his past relationship with the late Richard Pryor as justification for using the slur. However, the situation escalated into a "full meltdown" once the incident leaked to The Hollywood Reporter. Chase reportedly returned to the set yelling, "Who f---ed me over?" before exiting the series for good.

A Legacy Under Scrutiny

While reports clarify the slur wasn't directed at Black cast members like Brown or Donald Glover, the impact was irreparable. Chase left the show after Season 4, making only a brief cameo in Season 5. The documentary, 'I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,' provides a long-awaited look at the friction between a comedy icon and a modern ensemble cast.