BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — A real-life "Summer Vacation" with Chevy Chase?

For some kids in Ontario's cottage country, it actually happened.

Chase talked about his adventures as a Muskoka camp counsellor at a crowded party at the just-concluded summer Television Critics Association press tour.

The co-star of the NBC comedy "Community" joined Matthew Perry (promoting his upcoming ABC series "Mr. Sunshine"), Toronto-born executive producer Graham Yost ("Justified") and several others at a party hosted by Sony Television.

"I was sort of the head of the boys camp," says Chase, who was in his late 20s at the time.

"I had a girlfriend who was the head of the girls camp, and I visited her whenever I could depending on when that eight-foot grizzly was in the woods between one camp and the other."

Chase, who was born in New York City, says his family used to summer in Ontario's cottage country dating back to when he was a teenager.

"Northern Ontario was gorgeous," he says. "I was a camp counsellor many times."

The comedian worked many odd jobs before getting into comedy with the National Lampoon. His big break came as one of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players" on "Saturday Night Live."

Chase was the comedy showcase's first "Weekend Update" anchor and his, "I'm Chevy Chase and you're not," because a popular catchphrase.

Originally hired as a writer, he left the series after one season to pursue another girl who had moved to Los Angeles. The 66-year-old has settled down since then.

"Generally speaking, I have very fine morals and ethics, a lovely wife of 30 years and three daughters, so I'm a good guy."

It has taken 35 years, but "Community" finds Chase finally ready for primetime.

The series stars Joel McHale ("Talk Soup") as a disbarred lawyer stuck in community college in order to legitimately obtain his law degree. Chase plays a back-to-school businessman who is part of a misfit study group.

The now white-haired comedian says shooting a one camera network comedy involves "outrageous hours," but admits, "that's coming from a guy in his 60s."

He loves the show and says he's "proud of the people I'm working with," but just wishes more viewers would discover the series. Told it is a critical success, he jokes, "well, I'd love to get some of those criticisms."

Chase has endured some critical roasting over the years, never more so then when he attempted to front a late night talk show for Fox in the early `90s.

Launched to great fanfare, "The Chevy Chase Show" lasted six weeks.

When some box office flops followed, Chase fell off the comedy radar.

"Community" has provided a late career lift, with Chase surfacing recently in the feature film "Hot Tub Time Machine."

He says much of his role was cut out of that film.

"Ultimately, they had to cut me down to what they needed," says Chase, who admits he can get carried away in an improv groove. The film's main stars are John Cusack, Clark Duke, Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson.

"I wasn't angry at any of those four guys though -- they were really funny."

Chase is one of several familiar faces back on TV. The coming season features shows starring Tom Selleck, William Shatner and Cloris Leachman, stars in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

Chase thinks Selleck and Shatner are TV icons and begs off any comparisons, insisting he's not in their league.

"For me, it's never been a question of being a great actor; it's always been a question of can I get somebody to laugh."

He points to the 1986 video for Paul Simon's "Call Me Al."

Chase feels it is one of the funniest things he ever did, but it basically was just two guys screwing around. The very simple video features the comedian mouthing the song standing next to the singer/songwriter.

"We did it in an afternoon for 30 grand," says Chase. "I learned the song, how to mime it, driving in from the East Hamptons to the studio. We gave Paul, who is short, all the big drums and stuff to carry. It just worked out and it is one of my favourite things."