Chevy Chase tells documentary director she’s 'not bright enough', prompting backlash

Independent.co reports that 82-year-old comedian Chevy Chase has provoked online uproar after a clip from the CNN documentary I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not showed him telling director Marina Zenovich she is "not bright enough" to understand him.

Near the start of the film Zenovich says, "I’m just trying to figure you out." Chase replies, "No s***. It’s not going to be easy for you." When she asks why, he snaps back, "You’re not bright enough. How’s that?" After her surprised response he adds, "Well, you asked. I know you’re not gonna put that on the air, and I hope not," and says, "I’m complex, and I’m deep and I can be hurt easily." The clip drew shock and derision online, with one X user calling him "an insufferable old goat," while others defended him.

In an interview with Variety Zenovich said, "I’d never done an interview where someone was so rude to me," and that the exchange gave her "a way in" as a filmmaker. Elsewhere in the documentary Chase says he was "hurt" by not being given a speaking role in the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary celebrations.

Key Topics

Culture, Chevy Chase, Marina Zenovich, Chevy Chase Documentary, Saturday Night Live, National Lampoon's Vacation