14 DAY TRIAL // Chevy Chase was one of the original cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last weekend with a comedy special called simply SNL 40. Despite the fact that his departure was his own doing, burning many bridges in the process, he still was invited to attend the special.
He came and even took the time to speak with Carson Daly on the red carpet, about what it was like to be part of the show when it was just getting started, hosting it years later on several occasions, and being invited at the special.
A segment of the interview is available below: it is the reason many of his fans have taken to social media to wonder out loud about his health. As you can see for yourself, not only is Chase looking unhealthily overweight, but he also seems unable to stay on topic.
“I left after the first year because I thought this isn't going anywhere,” he says. “I liked [hosting]. I liked it. But I missed it more for not being a part of the cast because I left after one year, I had reasons to leave. I'm sorry if I'm perspiring, but I just had to run through a gauntlet. But I liked it a lot, and I still like it. I love Lorne. We're like brothers now.”
Shortly after the special aired on NBC, people online were already asking, in more or less direct terms: is Chevy Chase ok? Some cracked jokes about his weight, but the majority worried about his mental state because of the answers he gave and a certain feel that they got from watching him that he wasn’t entirely aware of where he was.
I will include a sample of these messages below, right under the video. See the clip for yourself to form an opinion.
On the #SNL40 red carpet with @ChevyChaseToGo pic.twitter.com/x5xOpnqoSG
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) February 16, 2015
He's Chevy Chase and I'm not, thank God.
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) February 16, 2015
Chevy Chase. I can never tell if he's really in on the joke. #SNL40 pic.twitter.com/ydHxzYYjuM
— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) February 16, 2015
#SNL40 Did Chevy Chase eat the old Chevy Chase? Oh and they can't say News for deaf people anymore. Garrett just yells.
— Showbiz 411 (@showbiz411) February 16, 2015
Chevy Chase just made Betty White seem young, hopeful, and full of life. #SNL40
— Sam Roberts (@notsam) February 16, 2015
Betty White, 93, lucid. Chevy Chase, 71, spaced out. #SNL40 Carson Daly said Chase was "part of" the 1st cast. Chase: "Part of? I was!"
— Terry Meiners (@terrymeiners) February 16, 2015
Is Chevy Chase okay? That was weird #pimpinjoy #SNL40
— Lunchbox (@RadioLunchbox) February 16, 2015
Chevy Chase does not look well. #SNL40
— ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) February 16, 2015
I'm sure Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman appreciated being referred to as "Uh...the rest" by Chevy Chase. #SNL40
— Meredith (@missbumptious) February 16, 2015
Carson Daly is the only person there that wants to talk to Chevy Chase #SNL40
— Pat Thornton (@patthornton) February 16, 2015