Yvette Nicole Brown slams Chevy Chase CNN documentary, "keep my name out of your mouth"

Yvette Nicole Brown has spoken out ahead of the release of CNN’s documentary on Chevy Chase, I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, which revisits incidents from the set of NBC’s Community involving alleged racist slurs and harassment.

Brown, who played Shirley Bennett on the comedy, posted a statement on Instagram that appeared to address the documentary without mentioning it by name.

“These are things I’ve never spoken of publicly and perhaps never will,” Brown wrote. “Anyone currently speaking FOR or ABOUT me with perceived authority is speaking without EVER speaking to me about the things they claim to know about. They actually don’t really know me — at all.”

She added, “They also have no knowledge of my relationship with anyone I’ve worked with & cannot credibly speak on any current or previous issues. I hate that this all had to be said. In East Cleveland speak: Keep my name out of your mouth.”

No members of the Community cast participated in the documentary, directed by Maria Zenovich. The film details events leading to Chase’s firing from the show in 2012, midway through its fourth season.

According to the documentary, Chase clashed with cast members, including Donald Glover, Alison Brie, Joel McHale, and series creator Dan Harmon. One scene involved Chase’s character performing in blackface during a puppet show, which led to Brown walking off set after an alleged racial slur.

Director Jay Chandrasekhar, who appeared in the documentary, recounted the incident, noting that Chase did not apologise to Brown despite returning to the set.

The documentary also explores Chase’s unpopularity on set and his struggles with alcohol, with Harmon writing Chase’s character into a wheelchair to minimise on-set conflicts.

The CNN documentary, premiering January 1, features archival footage and interviews with Chase, former co-stars, and industry colleagues including Lorne Michaels and Goldie Hawn.