Forum.RttP{Dave Chappelle checks himself into mental hospital}

Dave Chappelle, whose sketch-comedy show was suddenly halted last week without explanation, is currently holed up in a mental health facility, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Citing a "source close to the situation," the magazine
said the popular "Chappelle's Show" host checked himself into an unnamed treatment center in South Africa on April 28.

"We don't know where he is," Comedy Central spokesperson Tony Fox told The Associated Press. "We've heard about South Africa. We don't know. We haven't talked to Dave."

Chappelle's spokesperson, Matt Labov, had no comment.

On Thursday, Comedy Central announced it had suspended production on the third season of the show until further notice (see "Production On 'Chappelle's Show' Suspended"), adding that, "All parties are optimistic that production will resume in the near future."

Since then, rumors have been circulating about the reasons for the delay, ranging from the comedian's hard-partying lifestyle to power struggles with the channel (see " 'Chappelle' DVD Extras To Air As Rumors About Hiatus Swirl"). Comedy Central (which, like MTV, is owned by Viacom) denied the production halt was related to creative differences.

The third season of "Chappelle's Show" had been scheduled to launch May 31.

According to EW, Chappelle, who reportedly signed a $50 million deal with Comedy Central for two more seasons, had shot four to five episodes' worth of sketches for the third season, but none of the onstage introductions.