'Kramer' goes on racist rant

Comedian Michael Richards (aka "Kramer" from the Seinfeld series) unleashes a tirade in Los Angeles and spews racial epithets to the audience at the Laugh Factory in LOS ANGELES, California, CNN's Brooke Anderson reports (November 19)

Particularly distressing comment IMO: The camera started rolling just as Richards began his attack, screaming at one of the men, "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your ass."

CNN coverage including a 'partial' video clip of the rant: Click Here

Related:
'Kramer' apologizes for racist tirade
Posted on CNN website 9:49 p.m. EST, November 20, 2006

 

You just dont go on stage spewing your racist crap and then apologize like it never happened. Its obvious he meant what he said or else he would not have said it.

 

Would this be as big a deal if it was some other, lesser known comedian? Or even a Black comedian?

Don't get me wrong, I do not share his apparrent racial views. But if it was not "Kramer", then this story would likely barely make the rounds..

Just another example of the media making something out of nothing.

 

>> Would this be as big a deal if it was some other, lesser known comedian? Or even a Black comedian? Don't get me wrong, I do not share his apparent racial views. But if it was not "Kramer", then this story would likely barely make the rounds... <<

Ya think? <lol>

Whoa, this story is hot off the presses and the internet satire sites are already having a "hangin' party" caricaturing it: Check out this satirical look at Cosmo’s Colorful Comments already being trashed and mashed here

I do not entirely disagree with the premise of what you posted. After all nobody would give a damn; much less cover it, if this was just some unknown "Joe Schmo Shlub" Comic making the clearly angry, racist remarks here. However the old adage “The bigger they are… the harder they fall,” has always been true with regards to the media coverage; ever since newspapers cost only a penny. After all... "shock value" is primarily how they get way more eyeballs to view their "stories" (not to mention the ads which accompany them).

This adage is especially so these days; with “instantaneous” nonsense celebrity media and internet coverage of such unfortunate events. This particular brand of "Take a look at this folks: What the heck was he/she thinking? - Roll the Tape!" media just lives for and relishes exploiting moments like this... Especially when they are "caught" on tape -- i.e. Ted Danson showing up at an event in blackface; thinking it would be hilarious because he was dating Whoppie Goldberg at the time, comes to mind here.

It’s simply amazing how these days an entire career can apparently burn out faster than a KKK cross from a single incident of angry outburst or "botched" comedy as this appears to be in this case. I'm thinking of the recent "John Kerry Botched Joke" incident, of course.

How about what happened to Trent Lott - being forced to resign from the highest post in the Senate - for not even making any direct comment regarding race at all; but merely commenting to an old dying geezer colleague (Strom Thurmond) at his birthday party that things might have been better if he were elected as president?

And who could forget how just a few inane and innocent moments of joyous expression by Howard Dean screaming “Aieeeeee!” and then rambling off the names of the states he was predicting that he'd win; effectively ended his chances of winning (previous to that incident) during the last democratic presidential primary race.

Unfortunately, this sounds to me like a "career-ending" comment for KKKramer - not that he has done all that well since the Seinfeld series ended in 1998. In my opinion this situation is more a commentary on how sheltered and pampered some of the worlds "formerly successful" has-beens actually are; rather than the media making "something out of nothing."

Additionally, I would seriously doubt that the folks who promote and churn out all of the $pecial Edition $ienfeld DVD $ets; or the TV stations that continue to collect AD revenue from that show being on night after night, would consider this rambling and racial incident was either harmless or "about nothing."

 

Many fine points, good sir!

Just cannot fathom why this story should be FRONT PAGE material on national news?
I concur that FOX (who owns the rights to the series??) should more than a little concerned, but maybe just me in that there are much bigger concerns than a former TV actor making an arse out of himself in a comedy club that could be reported by the major news outlets.


Meit

 

It's always painful to see someone pushed to the limits of his civilization skills, whether in a private or a public setting. Whether you're on the receiving end or the giving end, uncontrolled anger feels bad. There's a lot to be said for finding ways to be under less pressure, whether it's through a change of mind or a change of circumstances.

abri

 

>> Just cannot fathom why this story should be FRONT PAGE material on national news? I concur that FOX (who owns the rights to the series??) should more than a little concerned, but maybe just me in that there are much bigger concerns than a former TV actor making an arse out of himself in a comedy club that could be reported by the major news outlets. <<

Oh, I agree entirely with your last post regarding the total insanity of "tabloid headline" coverage priorities.

As far as the so-called news networks' coverage goes; I strongly believe; especially more recently - in say, the last 15-25 years or so, that the established news TV and cable news networks are far more about spreading useless but advertisable "disinformation" than relevant or even remotely useful information for their viewing audience (i.e. potential customers for the products that they advertise)

The behind-the-scenes culprits of this type of useless celebrity "feeding frenzy" brands of 24/7 coverage are primarily the "advertisers" who incidentally; pay the salaries of the news media folks. And you can bet all of your hand held remote control devices, that these slime balls could care less how "relevant" or useful the information put out there for viewing is. Their primary interest has always been how many eyeballs are glued to the set.

The recent "OJ Knows All... Tells None" fiasco is proof positive that the news media will attempt to cover just about anything – provided the advertising revenue generators who pay for the production of such vomit - remain "obscured" and most importantly - are not seen in any negative light. That’s about the only "regulatory" stop-gap measure in that business, when it comes to deciding their respective channels' 24/7 content.

I think that this type of "Damage The Sinners - Night After Night!" media coverage really "got going" initially with the photo of Donna Rice sitting on the knees of Gary Hart on the luxury yacht Monkey Business, the climactic image that ended Hart's 1988 presidential run. After that incident generated so much interest; the folks who owned the media (those AD companies, I mean) saw just how many mindless eyeballs they could glue to the tube by covering this juicy but irrelevant story over and over again - all bets were off.

This is also true with the smaller local networks, at least in the USA. The entire ½ hour of local news is usually actually around 17-18 minutes of actual coverage after you discount the ADS, has become a total waste of time - at least for me - to watch. There's only about 3-4 minutes (or even less) each night regarding solid local news; if we’re lucky, that is. The rest is usually a minute or two of national coverage then some far-away tragedy is covered (like an out of state wildfire, flood or something like that) sports coverage and weather.

There's absolutely NO doubt about it, folks! We are most definitely living in the "Outer Limits" era:

(i.e. "There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We can reduce the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Louder Shouter Limits.") <lol>​

Good Luck!

 

If your gonna be racist you'v got to be funny or black,I'd love to se what kind of reaction a white guy would get if he did a few Richard Pryor or eddie murphy segments

I dont think its a career ender no one comes through a door like that guy

 

Not only national news, but International news TV, as well.

Isn't it amazing how many stars rant and rave and then apologise (like Mel Gibson) or say they were taken out of context (like lots of politicians).
If you said it, you mean't it, IMHO, and apologies don't cut it with me. Bazza

===

 

I totally agree in Mel gibsons case but I see this a little different,his act was bombing live on stage he went for the last gasp shock comedy to see if he could save the act but he was just too shocking and more importantly not funny he didnt plan that last segment he tried to ad lib but the audience didnt bite,he should have cut and run earlier

 

It looked to me like was just becoming more shocking and praying if he went totally mental the audience would laugh,but they didnt,I honestly dont think he was angry at all

 

>> Isn’t it amazing how many stars rant and rave and then apologies (like Mel Gibson) or say they were taken out of context (like lots of politicians). If you said it, you mean't it, IMHO, and apologies don't cut it with me. Bazza.<<

Yes, Bazza… I agree with you. Also, I thought this public apology was particularly “thin-skinned,” and was most likely initiated by this guy’s (or Seinfeld’s) ‘handlers’ who are worried about losing money on the Seinfeld reruns or the DVD edition sets. That’s the way it looked to me anyway.

Also he didn’t actually make ANY attempt to apologize until that Cell Phone video of the entire outburst came out. He obviously thought because there were no “obvious” large TV cameras there he was going to get away with this or that this whole thing would simply “blow over” without any evidence.. Then once the internet got a hold of that Cell Phone video and the new media got a hold of the story and things got out of hand; then he turns into Jimmy Swaggart on Letterman! lol

According to the latest news; the owners of the comedy club (where the rage) came out had immediately invited Richards on the next night and invited the affected audience to come so that he could apologize, but he didn’t – he just did his regular act and refused to apologize or anything. Since he refused to apologize, the comedy club decided to ban him from their club for life – either as a guest or a performer.

I can actually see both sides of this. Everybody on the planet has “flipped out” at least once and said terrible things in a fit of rage - which we really didn't mean, or wouldn't have ever said if we weren't angry - and then regretted it later. Unfortunately, this Kramer fellow did it in a very "public" manner (while somebody was recording it) that will likely destroy whatever career he had prior to the outburst. Yesterday, on one of the cable stations - even his own publicist said that his career; at least in the entertainment business was likely over.

Good Luck!

 

People take themselves too seriously sometimes!

Race and Religion have long held standings in comedy....remember Dave Allen (the British comedian) with his Irish catholic renditions?
Or Col Elliot and his Pakistani jokes, the list goes on!

There is absolutely no room for outright racism in our world, but for crying out loud, this is a comedy show and that should be where its kept!

The mature idea for its success with many comedians, is the fact that everyone should be able to have a laugh at themselves once in a while!
No matter where you are from!

When you are unable to do so, suggests serious insecurity issues to me!

This gentleman was so hurt by hearing the use of the N word, that he needed to go public about it?
What ever happened to cursing under your breath and walking out of the show?
I don't buy it....... and also, he needed to make the statement that every living African/American was also hurt by the comedians comments!
HTF would he know?

I think his play on the 'racist' issue here, is a sniff for a dollar and maybe some notoriety.

Hope that he is able to return to a normal life after this incident, and i wish him no long term physical or mental effects caused by Kramers comments, the poor guy!
Maybe comedy aint his thing....

Didn't any of you guys ever watch 'seinfeld', that was Kramers style of humour....bang, 'in your face' humour!

Even though it may have been poorly executed this time around!!
Regards.

 

They shouldn't have interrupted his show.

What's the different between thinking that, and saying it? Both sides are hostile, and it won't ever, fully change.

 

>> They shouldn't have interrupted his show. What's the different between thinking that, and saying it? joshcrick <<

Evidently, as in this case: the big difference between "thinking" racist thoughts and "saying" them (well, screaming them, actually) is; that if somebody catches you 'saying it' especially on tape; the latter can cost you a career in the entertainment business. Who knows, maybe he can recover from all of this and I'm not saying the guy is "forever doomed" but at the very least; he faces a long road ahead, if he still wants to work in show biz.

As for the comment "They shouldn't have interrupted his show," maybe so, but hecklers have always been a part of comedy shows. The trick is for the comic to not take it personally; but to turn the joke around on the heckler. When I was in college I worked as a security guard at a large hotel which had a great nightclub with comics that opened for the bands and occasionally we'd have to work as "bouncers" if somebody called in sick or something.

One comic in particular; who worked at this nightclub occasionally, always had a great talent for handling any hecklers... One night there was a very drunk couple; this guy and his wife, who were sitting near the stage and during the comedy routine, the drunken guy blurts out "You suck, bring out the band!"

Without missing a beat the comic looks solemnly at the audience: "Ladies and gentleman, I want to apologize for the angry comments of my gay lover... We had a fight last week, when I accidentally borrowed a pair of his favorite panties without asking!" Everybody was cracking up and then the quick thinking DJ at the club put on the "Theme from Love Story" at a low volume over the loudspeakers.

Then the comic starts going on and on; describing the fight, the aftermath of the fight etc. and the DJ slowly turns up the song's volume while the comic was describing in great detail; how they almost got kicked out of their apartment one time when his lover challenged him to a "duel with spatulas" in the hallway while the landlord was passing by. The stunned look on the drunken guys face during all of this was priceless.

The "trick" to a comic handling any hecklers is to make sure that you a fool out of them; not to "go postal" and make yourself look like a bigoted idiot; as the footage of the rant clearly shows - Mr. Richards did just that.

 

I'm not talking about the aftermath of it, i'm talking about the ACTUAL difference.

There is none....

 

Well folks, it looks like the two “alleged” victims have hired high powered slime-ball lawyer Gloria Allred to “cash in” on this debacle…

Check out the MSNBC.com video here: Nov. 22: "Today" host Matt Lauer talks with Kyle Doss, who argued with the comedian Michael Richards, his friend Frank McBride and their attorney, Gloria Allred.

Gloria Allred, using Dr. Smith (from the old Lost in Space series) voice:
"Oh, the pain.... the pain... Show me 'da Money!"​

 

>> I'm not talking about the aftermath of it, i'm talking about the ACTUAL difference. There is none.... joshcrick <<

Oh, thanks for "clarifying" your opinion there, Josh... <g>

Here's my clarified opinion of those who "think it" vs. those who actually "say it" regarding racial prejudice:

A confused idiot who is a bigot; would likely only "think it" to themselves, to remain anonymously bigoted.

A confused idiot who is a bigot; would not only "think it" to themselves; but - because he or she wants to remove any/all doubt as to whether or not they actually are a confused idiot who is a bigot, would "say it" publicly, too.

A confused idiot who is a bigot; who obviously doesn't particularly care if he ever again works in the same cushy job as he had yesterday; would - in a rambling rage - "say it" by holding onto a microphone screaming Nig*er 20 or so times, in front of an entire crowd at a nightclub... Simply because he was angry at a couple of patrons were arriving late and heckled him... And then later on state that he doesn't actually think that way at all by claiming in a mealy mouthed so-called apology "I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this"! <lol>

Good Luck!

 

I agree with you on this one COMPUABLE!
Very poorly executed by a man of his experience.

Not so sure that Mr Richards deserves this sort of treatment though!

After all, they are only words (most hardcore racists would reach for an automatic weapon) and i was taught that it takes a greater person, whom is able to find forgiveness within their hearts....

But i especially love this comeback, from an obviously 'well versed' pro!

Regards.....

 

>> After all, they are only words (most hardcore racists would reach for an automatic weapon) and i was taught that it takes a greater person, whom is able to find forgiveness within their hearts... <<

Well, lets all just be thankful at least that this guy was apparently "stopped in his tracks" before it came to the point where he was wanting an automatic weapon! <g>

Seriously though, if only we actually could find a way to "catch" and prevent/stop those who made it all the way to the weapons stage; (waaaay beforehand, I mean). When I was watching just that few minutes of tape a few days ago; I was about as sick-to-my-stomach squeamish as I'd been in as long as I can remember.

A lot of people probably think "Kramer business" this is "overkill" or that he had the "right" to say such things without repudiation because "he's only a comic" or something like that - but I don't - not in the least.

Tolerating and/or tucking away that kind of very publicly obvious, spewed and outright hate-speak or "letting it pass" just don't cut it with me. The quicker (meaning earlier) you round up these folks with a lasso, and give them a good public spankin' the better, I believe.

And those venomous references to the "good old lynchin' days" sheesh...

History clearly shows that tolerating overt racism; in the name of freedom of speech, comedy - whatever - can eventually exact a terrible cost a society... And allowing something like this outburst to just pass on by invariably promotes the ability to bring it to the next level...

If only people everywhere had the same "spank-em' publicly" attitude back when the first a-hole with a wad of dough figured "Why pay people to work on the plantation, when we can design a large sailing ship and sail over to where we can declare a group of people "heathens" and pluck all of the laborers we want; from the African jungles - and they can work for no wages at all!"

Or back when the very first guy in a brown shirt showed up and proceeded to block that first patron's entrance and then wave them ALL away just because the shop-keeper went to a synagogue to worship. Lot's of people back in those days figured, "What's the big deal?" as well.

Good Luck!

 

Most people will classify hating a race for very factual reasons as racist, which I don't believe in.

However, I do hate the racists that just hate them for no reason.

 

>> Most people will classify hating a race for very factual reasons as racist, which I don't believe in. However, I do hate the racists that just hate them for no reason. joshcrick <<

Excellent "doublespeak" there, Josh! <lol>

Especially the part about "hating a race for very factual reasons." You've got to be kidding me...

What exactly are the "factual reasons" which would justify hating someone; or an entire group of people, simply because they came out of a womb, and are born into any given race? And exactly who are the ones always providing these "facts?" Racists, that's who...

Racism, whether for so-called factual reasons; or for no reason whatsoever, is equally idiotic and stupid. Any justification for it; "factual" or otherwise, is just as potentially damaging as tolerating it.

History clearly demonstrates the consequences of allowing celebrities, public officials or any other group to get away with overt and public "acts" of racism. The more promptly we publicly spank and consequently yank; the pampered and pompous twits like this Richards fellow, down from their pedestals - the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Good Luck!

 

So I ask, why must the term "african American" be used? To promote a "superior" label of American?

Last time I checked there was no Africa in the Americas north south or central.

 

WHat is kind of interesting is that the day after Kramer's apology, the 2 offended parties and their lawyer all mentioned how he can't be sincere since he hasn't offered any money (ON national news no less) Not condoning what he did, but they would not have made such a stink if they weren;t out for $$