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We're struggling to think of the last time a single performer had an entire network by the balls the way Dave Chappelle is currently gripping Comedy Central's tenders. Jerry Seinfeld's mastery of NBC's domain in the 1990s? And yet Seinfeld managed to show up for work and provide them with a weekly ratings powerhouse. Chappelle, on the other hand, abandons his ridiculously well-compensated, creatively autonomous showcase; then, when the network has the gall to air what material he did manage to deliver, the comedian interprets it as a "bully move" and threatens never to return. And how does the network respond to this chutzpah-heavy game of chicken? With the "official written statement" equivalent of "Parking space still got your name on it, Big Dave Man!"

Chappelle said his possible return to Chappelle's Show is still up in the air.


But I think if they air that stuff, I can't see how I'm going to be able to, he told the Daily News. That will damage our relationship.

We are still waiting patiently for Dave to return to work, but we know that our viewers are looking forward to seeing the material he produced for the third season, Comedy Central said in a written statement.

It's akin to those sad relationships when a guy knows his less-attractive girlfriend will always be sitting at home waiting by the phone, but if she ever dares question where he's been all night, he'll accuse her of being a "manipulative nag" and threaten to leave her, causing her to immediately back down and agree to open a joint savings account. Sure, you want to shake some sense into her, but when you consider the alternative is Carlos Mencia, you kind of get what she sees in him.