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Banana Peel Hits Comedian Dave Chappelle On New Mexico Stage
A man tossed a banana peel at Dave Chappelle during a standup show, hitting in the comedian in the leg, police in this northern New Mexico city say.
Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP, file
Performing at the Essence Festival in New Orleans.
Christian Englander, 30, of Santa Fe, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor disorderly conduct and battery after the fruit throw Monday night, Santa Fe police Lt. Andrea Dobyns said.
Englander acknowledged throwing a peel from a banana he had eaten earlier because he took offense to jokes Chappelle made about his companion, Dobyns said.
The friend reportedly was drawing in a sketchbook during the show when Chappelle noticed and asked the man his name, which he gave as “Johnny Appleseed,” Dobyns said.
Chappelle then made jokes about the moniker, the police spokeswoman said, “so that’s when Englander got upset.”
Arresting officers said Englander appeared to be intoxicated after event security escorted him outside.
Englander was in jail Tuesday, and Dobyns said she didn’t know whether Englander has an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Chappelle has had run-ins with audience members before.
In a 2013 gig in Hartford, Connecticut, Chappelle shut down his act after 10 minutes because of heckling.
Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center
Known for his commentary on race in America, Chappelle has gradually resumed his stand-up career in the past two years, making a long-awaited return after abandoning a popular Comedy Central show in 2005.