Dave Chappelle Comeback Tour with Chris Rock? Comedian Jokes about Returning to Stand Up at NY's Comedy Cellar

Dave Chappelle gave a surprise standup show at New York's Comedy Cellar this week and joked with audience member, and fellow comedian, Chris Rock about touring together, reports UPI.

Ever since the comedian walked away from his Comedy Central show back in 2005, fans of Chappelle have been hoping for a comeback. With the comedian spending three recent nights onstage at the Comedy Cellar and joking about touring with his friend Rock, there is much speculation that this could be Chappelle's return to the standup spotlight.

During one unannounced performance, Chappelle indicated he didn't have much lined up in the way of work and might be open to getting on stage with Rock, reports LA Times.

"You should come down to Palm Beach," Rock reportedly said to Chappelle.

"After next Tuesday," Chappelle said, "I'm free for like 11 years."

Chappelle has been known to pop up at comedy clubs for last-minute, unannounced shows, usually taking the stage well after midnight. But his latest three nights at the Comedy Cellar seemed the comedian's most serious flirtation with a more permanent return to the stand-up circuit, states LA Times.

"This could be the show," Chappelle said to Rock after he and his friend texted rapper Jay-Z from the stage and left a voicemail for TV personality Arsenio Hall. "Fireside chats with Chris Rock."

"I'm in," Rock said.

This banter between the two comedians generated much online chatter as just the mention of a tour with or without Rock had fans freaking out with excitement. Faithful followers crave more Chapelle after he abandoned his successful show, "The Chappelle's Show," which was on the air for just 2 1/2 seasons starting in 2003, states LA Times.

The sketch comedy show, which featured over-the-top parodies and politically incorrect themes, quickly became one of the hottest shows on television and catapulted Chappelle into comedy's highest echelon and a $50-million renewal contract. He broke that deal when he took off for Africa without telling anyone he was leaving - and without finishing production on his third season.

The comedian insisted he just needed a break, but ultimately never returned to "Chappelle's Show." He apparently spent some time in Africa before settling down in rural Yellow Springs, Ohio, with his wife and family, states ABC.

Chappelle previously told Oprah Winfrey that the experience of having his own show was "incredibly stressful."

"When you're a guy who generates money, people have a vested interest in controlling you," he said.

Is Chappelle ready to return to the spotlight after his 7-year hiatus? The Times said neither Rock's representative nor two publicists who previously worked with Chappelle responded to requests for comment about the possibility of a tour, so we'll just have to wait and see.