LOS ANGELES, April 19 (UPI) -- Dave Chappelle is in negotiations with Comedy Central for a third season of his sketch-comedy series "Chappelle's Show."
The edgy comedy is the basic cable station's highest rated original series, The Hollywood Reporter said Monday.
However, the comedian is fielding movie offers and inquiries from rival networks wondering whether Comedy Central is willing or able to offer Chappelle the kind of lucrative contract that keeps Jon Stewart and "South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker working for the station, the trade paper noted.
Bill Hilary, executive vice president and general manager of Comedy Central, described re-signing Chappelle as "a very high priority.
"There's got to be a negotiation," he said. "Is it going to be a tough one? Yes. But I think Comedy Central is the place for Chappelle."
"In cable, they're not going to pay you outrageous money" at first, said James Dixon, who manages Stewart, among others. "But in success, they will try to compete as best as they can. I think Comedy Central is generally aggressive about that."
