Quick Takeaways
- Terry Sweeney again knocked Chevy Chase over supposed wrongdoing during a 1985 SNL episode.
- Sweeney declined engagement in CNN’s Chevy Chase docudrama but shared an unassailable remark elsewhere.
- The dispute highlights ongoing debates about accountability and behavior in comedy history.
Four decades after their infamous clash on Saturday Night Live, Terry Sweeney is speaking out again. The former SNL cast member renewed his criticism of Chevy Chase, calling the actor “rotten.”
Sweeney declined to appear in CNN’s upcoming documentary, I’m Chevy Chase, and You’re Not. Instead, he shared blunt remarks in a recent online interview.
The comments revive a long-standing controversy from Chase’s 1985 return to host SNL. Sweeney was the show’s first openly gay cast member at the time.
A Tense Return to Studio 8H
When Chase arrived at SNL in 1985, expectations were high. Sweeney later recalled that the cast viewed Chase as a comedy icon.
However, that excitement quickly faded. Sweeney described Chase as hostile and deeply inappropriate.
In the SNL oral history Live From New York, Sweeney said Chase insulted staff and cast members. He also alleged that Chase proposed offensive sketch ideas.
One alleged joke involved Sweeney contracting AIDS. The suggestion reportedly shocked those in the room.
According to Sweeney, Chase’s behavior crossed professional and personal lines. The experience left a lasting impact on the cast.
Conflicting Accounts in New Documentary
CNN’s documentary revisits the incident with archival material. Chase reacts on camera to hearing Sweeney’s account.
The footage shows Chase laughing uncomfortably at the allegations. He dismisses them as exaggerated or false.
Chase claims he never apologized to Sweeney. He insists his memory does not support the accusations.
When presented with excerpts from Live From New York, Chase appears sarcastic. He suggests the story will “make his day.”
Chase also expresses hope that Sweeney is dead. That remark drew criticism from viewers and commentators.
Memory, Health, and Accountability
Chase’s abnegation has a farm interrogation about the memory board and health. He experienced gist loss in 2021.
Documentary music director Marina Zenovich addresses this result publicly. She paints a picture. Chase’s health may affect his recollection.
Zenovich said memory loss can alter how events are remembered. She noted that uncomfortable memories often fade first.
Still, Sweeney rejects that explanation. He remains firm in his version of events.
In messages to The Hollywood Reporter, Sweeney called Chase an “ass.” He said the documentary only reinforces that view.
Sweeney Rejects Sympathy for Chase
The documentary explores Chase’s troubled childhood. It details abuse by his mother and stepfather.
Sweeney does not accept that history is an excuse. He dismisses it as irrelevant to Chase’s behavior.
“Boohoo,” Sweeney said in private messages quoted by the outlet. He argued that personal trauma does not justify the mistreatment of others.
Sweeney believes Chase’s comments reflect poorly on him. He sees no reason to soften his criticism.
USA TODAY has contacted representatives for both men. Neither has issued a formal response so far.
A Broader Reckoning for Comedy Culture
The renewed dispute highlights unresolved issues in entertainment history. It reflects changing attitudes toward power and accountability.
Comedy icons once shielded by status now face scrutiny. Audiences increasingly reassess past behavior through modern standards.
Sweeney’s comments arrive amid broader cultural reflection. Industry veterans continue to debate legacy versus responsibility.
For many viewers, the feud underscores how harm can persist for decades. It also shows how narratives differ depending on who tells them.
As the documentary premieres, the controversy is unlikely to fade. Instead, it may prompt further discussion about comedy’s past.