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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > June > 20 > Entry
Dave Chappelle tells all about fleeing TV
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let’s set the record straight: First, there is nothing easy about turning down $50 million. Just ask comedian Dave Chappelle, who hit Atlanta with a three-night, six-show stand-up blitz that ended Monday night. With a steady flow of cigarettes on hand, he kicked off his late-night Sunday set by addressing his hasty departure from a very lucrative Comedy Central deal.
The comic told the crowd that the decision to drop his wildly popular series “Chappelle’s Show” was so hard that it cost him precious sleep during his much publicized African getaway. Second, despite media reports and rumors after his abrupt departure from the show and subsequent vacation, “I am not a crackhead,” Chappelle said.
Whether he likes it or not, the comic’s unaired sketches begin broadcasting July 9 on Comedy Central.
As for the shows here, the sold-out crowd’s energy, enthusiasm and standing ovations said it all. True to form, the comic didn’t shy away from controversy, tackling topics such as the n-word, the Iraq war, the show “Cheaters” and even put-upon preggers pop tart Britney Spears (who, by the way, Chappelle believes is getting a hard time).
Surprise guest Mos Def kicked off the show. The rapper-actor’s casual, laid-back set flowed from old-school singalongs to Hurricane Katrina tributes to samples from his upcoming CD.
More ‘Room for Squares’
Former Buckhead singer-songwriter John Mayer’s local fans have spoken. The performer has added a second Atlanta date to his tour schedule this fall. A potential concern? Hyperthermia. Response to Mayer’s first show at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, set for Oct. 14, has inspired a second show, the night before, on Oct. 13. The tickets, ranging from $35 to $65.50, go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.
Coupling
“Grey’s Anatomy” actress Katherine Heigl is engaged to musician and former Augusta resident Josh Kelley, according to People magazine.
Heigl and her fiancé have not set a wedding date, representatives told the magazine.
Heigl, 27, who plays Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens on the hit ABC show, met Kelley, 25, last year when she appeared in a video for his song, “Only You.”
Heigl, a former model, also appeared on the WB’s “Roswell.” Kelley’s third album, “Just Say the Word,” is expected to be released in stores July 24. The project is already available for purchase at iTunes.com.
Celebrity docket
Former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty’s march to an early grave continued unabated over the weekend.
The singer was fined $1,900 in Sweden when Stockholm police found traces of cocaine in his blood after a performance by his rock band at the Hultsfred music festival.
Police detained the 27-year-old Babyshambles frontman after the concert because “he showed signs of being under the influence of narcotics,” said police spokesman Ulf Karlsson.
Tests showed traces of cocaine and the tranquilizer benzodiazepine, Karlsson said. He said Doherty had a prescription for the tranquilizer.
Doherty was fined and released, Karlsson said. He said Doherty was not in possession of any illegal drugs, so he will not face other charges.
Babyshambles was one of the main draws at the annual Hultsfred festival, one of the biggest in Sweden.
Earlier this month, Doherty had allegedly checked himself into a detox clinic in Portugal after multiple arrests in London for drug possession, his lawyer, Sean Curran, said.
Kidman, Urban to wed
The world’s paparazzi population is on high alert.
“Bewitched” actress Nicole Kidman and her fiancé, country singer Keith Urban, arrived home in Australia on Monday to be married, they said in a joint statement.
“We are very happy to be back in Australia,” they said in the statement carried by Australian Associated Press.
“We have come home to celebrate our wedding with our family and friends.”
Australian media have widely speculated that Kidman, who turns 39 today, and Urban, 38, will wed Sunday at a Catholic church in a northern Sydney suburb close to where Kidman, who was born in Hawaii, attended high school.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress Olympia Dukakis is 75. Actor Danny Aiello is 73. Actor John Mahoney (“Frasier”) is 66. Musician Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is 64. Actor John McCook (“The Bold and the Beautiful”) is 61. Singer Ann Murray is 61. Singer Lionel Richie is 57. Actor John Goodman is 54. Bassist Michael Anthony of Van Halen is 52. Bassist John Taylor of Duran Duran is 46. Actress Nicole Kidman is 39. Actor Josh Lucas (“Sweet Home Alabama,” “A Beautiful Mind”) is 35.
Contributing: Quindelda McElroy and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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