It’s truly a blessing.
The CNN Films documentary “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not” is now available to stream on HBO Max.
Don’t worry, kids! I know world-renowned comedy superstar Cornelius Crane Chase might be rich, famous, and “Hollywood royalty,” but there are plenty of things you have right now — yes, right now — that Chevy, that’s what I call him, would kill for.
Yes, really!
Sure, Chevy was Saturday Night Live’s first legitimate superstar after only one year on the show, but you possess the ability to properly regulate your emotions! Yeah, he has a sports car, and a big house, and royalty-checks-galore, but you’re able to maintain cordial relationships with the people in your life! I mean, Chevy Chase might have a swanky city near D.C. with the same name as him, but you can work alongside others without causing them to thoroughly despise you!
Isn’t it funny how that works? The grass will truly always be greener.
Like, Chevy might have made over 1.3 billion dollars at the box office, but, if you died today, people would remember you fondly! They’d also probably show up, willingly, to your funeral. Or your latest documentary taping.
Chevy’s from a richer family than you, went to nicer schools than you, and hosted the Academy Awards twice — twice more than you ever will — but you will never let your ego consume you completely until it renders you devoid of any real sense of humanity! That’s something even privilege can’t prevent.
Chevy might have had his own talk show, self-titled album, and star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but you find it easy to refrain from putting your hands on other people unless your own safety is at risk! And even then, you’d probably still hesitate out of a deeply rooted sense of empathy.
Yes, it’s true that Chevy’s been gifted innumerable —undeserved — opportunities to rehabilitate his public image, but you find no joy in acting like a bully and a bigot! In fact, it actually deeply repulses you.
So, the next time you, or someone you know, starts to covet Chevy Chase — as the lead of the storied Vacation franchise, or as the inaugural Weekend Update anchor, or as a bona fide “comedy legend” — just remember to be thankful for all the things you, in all your Chevy-Chase-less glory, currently have in your life that you might not fully appreciate.
Be thankful for your ability to stay tolerant, humble, and open to growth, especially when you don’t want to. Be thankful that others don’t look at you and think about what could’ve been.
Be thankful that he’s Chevy Chase, and you’re not an asshole.
Be Thankful! He’s Chevy Chase, And You’re Not was originally published in Slackjaw on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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