The guy who played Kramer on Seinfeld: Racist asshole

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http://www.hollywoodrag.com/index.php?/weblog/comments2/cosmo_kramers_racist_rant_video/

Michael Richards exploded in anger as he performed at a famous L.A. comedy club last Friday, hurling racial epithets that left the crowd gasping, and TMZ has obtained exclusive video of the ugly incident.

Richards, who played the wacky Cosmo Kramer on the hit TV show "Seinfeld," appeared onstage at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. Kyle Doss, an African-American, told TMZ he and some friends were in the cheap seats and he was playfully heckling Richards when suddenly, the comedian lost it.

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."

Richards continued, "You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherf**ker. Throw his ass out. He's a nigger! He's a nigger! He's a nigger! A nigger, look, there's a nigger!"

The crowd is visibly and audibly confused and upset. Richards responds by saying, "They're going to arrest me for calling a black man a nigger."

One of the men who was the object of Richard's tirade was outraged, shouting back "That's un-f***ing called for, ain't necessary."

After the three-minute tirade, it appears the majority of the audience members got up and left in disgust.
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The video is provided in the link. I watched it and it's completely disgusting. There's no way that was a joke. He's not going to be getting any gigs of any sort after this.
 
One of the men who was the object of Richard's tirade was outraged, shouting back "That's un-f***ing called for, ain't necessary."
Click to expand...

Says the man who thought it would be fun to heckle someone who is trying to do a job.

Not saying that what Richards did is correct or justified, but he probably just lost it because these assholes bought cheap seats and wouldn't shut up. It "ain't necessary" to sit there and heckle a comedian for no reason anyways.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Says the man who thought it would be fun to heckle someone who is trying to do a job.

Not saying that what Richards did is correct or justified, but he probably just lost it because these assholes bought cheap seats and wouldn't shut up. It "ain't necessary" to sit there and heckle a comedian for no reason anyways.[/QUOTE]

I agree with that, but the things he said are just fucking sick.
 
[quote name='Roufuss']Says the man who thought it would be fun to heckle someone who is trying to do a job.

Not saying that what Richards did is correct or justified, but he probably just lost it because these assholes bought cheap seats and wouldn't shut up. It "ain't necessary" to sit there and heckle a comedian for no reason anyways.[/QUOTE]

losing it over hecklers has nothing to do with hurling the N word over and over... getting heckled 'makes' you racist like getting wasted in Malibu makes you an anti-semite.

also the hecklers were right in the front row
 
[quote name='PKRipp3r']losing it over hecklers has nothing to do with hurling the N word over and over... getting heckled 'makes' you racist like getting wasted in Malibu makes you an anti-semite.
[/QUOTE]

I'm not saying it made him racist, but he probably got to the point where he was just so angry and he had been trying to bottle it up and it just kind of exploded.

I mean, I'm not going to watch the video, no interest in seeing the word used over and over and over, and he was probably always a bit racist but in normal terms we would have never have seen it come out. It just probably got to a point where he got so pissed he wanted to say whatever he could think of to piss these people off like they pissed him off.

But going on for three minutes? Yea, there's some racial issues there possibly. I wonder if it would have been different if they were white, asian, jewish, or anything else?

It's just weird to see the people act like they are victims when they provoked the guy... that's like me heckling a big muscular guy and playing the victim when he kicks my ass.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Would it be racist if Dave Chapelle or Chris Rock said it?[/QUOTE]

Would it have the same meaning if they said it?
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Would it be racist if Dave Chapelle or Chris Rock said it?[/QUOTE]

Tthose comedians you mentioned do it as a part of their jokes, Michael Richards seemed to have done it out of hate. I mean he was pretty damn angry, it didn't look like much of a joke. He was pissed off rather than wanting to make people laugh about it. A lot of "white" comedians use it a lot. But then use it in a context of a joke, unlike Richards.
 
That's the most uncomfortable thing I've seen in maybe a year? It's not just what he says... its how fucking angry he is. "Here come my hidden mental problems!"

To drive away the audience to disgust (sans ANY humour, because some comedians could pull (well maybe not that) but some kind of irony or twist out the heckling, such as Bill Hicks. You just can't argue that people came to see that shit - hecklers or no. You'd think he had enough experience with hecklers (what, like 15-20 years?) to avoid taking the low road like that.

It sounded like someone who used to be so full of themselves and now has to live more humbly.. classic, "do you know who THE fuck I AM?" mentality.
 
[quote name='AshesofWake']Tthose comedians you mentioned do it as a part of their jokes, Michael Richards seemed to have done it out of hate. I mean he was pretty damn angry, it didn't look like much of a joke. He was pissed off rather than wanting to make people laugh about it. A lot of "white" comedians use it a lot. But then use it in a context of a joke, unlike Richards.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. This was obviously out of hatred and racism. You can hear it in the tone of his voice and in the context. When Chappelle or Rock say racist stuff, you can tell by their tone that they are joking. Richards was definitely not joking.
 
[quote name='AshesofWake']Tthose comedians you mentioned do it as a part of their jokes, Michael Richards seemed to have done it out of hate. I mean he was pretty damn angry, it didn't look like much of a joke. He was pissed off rather than wanting to make people laugh about it. A lot of "white" comedians use it a lot. But then use it in a context of a joke, unlike Richards.[/QUOTE]

The line starts to get blurred then. What makes it funny one time but racist the next? This example with Richards is extreme, but why would one context be correct and another not? And who makes that decision?
 
This is the same guy that got into a fist fight with Andy Kaufman on live television, for nearly the same reason.

Sounds like he's got some emotional issues, and can't even control himself in public situations.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']The line starts to get blurred then. What makes it funny one time but racist the next? This example with Richards is extreme, but why would one context be correct and another not? And who makes that decision?[/QUOTE]


because one context makes people laugh. Because in that case stereotypes are used.

the word is just a word.

It's how you use the word that makes the distinction. Think of any curse word you have used with your friends joking around and think of the same word used when you're pissed off at somebody. I'm pretty sure you can make the distinction.
 
Man, I had heard about that tirade on CNN last night, but the sheer severity of it doesn't hit you until you actually see the video. That guy is fucked up.
 
[quote name='AshesofWake']because one context makes people laugh. Because in that case stereotypes are used.

the word is just a word.

It's how you use the word that makes the distinction. Think of any curse word you have used with your friends joking around and think of the same word used when you're pissed off at somebody. I'm pretty sure you can make the distinction.[/QUOTE]

I heard people laughing in the audience at him yelling at this guy. Even if half the people walked out of the audience, that means half stayed so they must have not been too upset with it.

What percentage of the audience has to think it is funny for it to be okay to say?
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']
What percentage of the audience has to think it is funny for it to be okay to say?[/QUOTE]


i don't think it matters how many people thought it was funny or offensive. If you thought it was funny, it was funny. If not, then it wasn't. Think of how many comedians out there offend people all the time. There's people that love it and there's people that hate it. It's based on an individual perception. Hence that's why you see people that say Chappelle is being offensive and what not. There's no fine line distinction. Comedy is personal. That's why some people think Dane Cook is funny and others don't.

For it to be okay to be said? I don't really see a specific destinction between when it is ok or not. I think you can make the right judgement for yourself to see if this case was okay or not. Nobody has to tell you. Based on the society we live in, you can make your judgements based on what you hear or see.


I laughed when I saw the video btw. I laughed because he was so angry, not really at what he said. I mean it's Kramer pissed off, that's what I find funny. So there's no way of knowing what people were laughing about in the first place.
 
[quote name='Pancake Rabbit']Publicity stunt.

New Seinfeld DVD's in stores next week.[/quote]That's probably it.

"If you don't go buy Seinfeld Season 7, I'll stick a fork up your ass, nigger!.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']I heard people laughing in the audience at him yelling at this guy. Even if half the people walked out of the audience, that means half stayed so they must have not been too upset with it.

What percentage of the audience has to think it is funny for it to be okay to say?[/quote]

I don't think the fact that some of the audience stayed has any bearing on the situation.

I mean, if I was at the club why should I have to ruin a night of my fun because of one racist ahole. Why should I have to leave because one person has wacky views. It's the same reason I'll still watch Lethal Weapon - that's a good action movie no matter how nutty Mel has become.
 
What if this was one of those blurred Kaufman-esque reverse-comedy routines?
 
[quote name='Brak']What if this was one of those blurred Kaufman-esque reverse-comedy routines?[/quote]
I think it's a direct result of The Michael Richards Show.
 
[quote name='Brak']What if this was one of those blurred Kaufman-esque reverse-comedy routines?[/quote]

Then Strom Thurmond was a comedy genius.
 
[quote name='Mr Unoriginal']Would it be racist if Dave Chapelle or Chris Rock said it?[/QUOTE]

That's exactly what I thought of when I heard people complaining to the owner of the club on some conference on the news. You had people yelling at the club owner saying how horrible the word is yet it's ok if Chris Rock uses the word. I'm not saying what Richards did was right but if the word is so offensive, then those same people complaining about Richards should be just as angry at Chris Rock for using the word.
 
[quote name='evilmregg']Then Strom Thurmond was a comedy genius.[/QUOTE]
[quote name='evilmax17']I think it's a direct result of The Michael Richards Show.[/QUOTE]
I posted that in jest, but I find it funny that someone in the audience tried fighting racism with racism.

That's a comedic bit of commentary in of itself.
 
After hearing about the video all day (and being appalled), I finally watched it and I have to say, I'm not disgusted as I thought I'd be. First off, I abhor racism completely but this seemed like he was acting. I don't know if it was just the poor quality of the audio but I heard a theatric timbre to his voice when he kept saying "there's a nigger" over and over. Who actually talks like that? It does seem like he was going for the Chris Rock definition of the word (although whether or not he can get away with that use is very doubtful). Right before he walks off stage he looks like he realizes that he's lost the crowd and gives up. It doesn't seem like he was using the word in the KKK tradition. At least I hope he wasn't. He did seem frustrated at the hecklers but I didn't pick up the level of anger others have described (again it could be me listening to the bad audio). I hope he can explain himself, otherwise Seinfeld reruns are gonna be ruined for me.

I'm not trying to stand up for a racist, I just think now there is an argument that can be made that he make a horrible attempt at a Kaufman-esque uncomfortable humor with a stupefyingly poor choice of words.

But his best bet will be to hire Jackie Chiles as his lawyer. :lol:
 
My mom sent me the link to this and when I read the article, I thought, "wow that's pretty crazy." But the video itself is one of the more shocking things I've seen in a while. More than the fact that he's using the N word, it's how malicious that it felt when he was saying it. There was no comedy anywhere surrounding that. That was aimed to incite fury in the guys he was talking to. He could have used motherfuckers and bitches all he wanted, and I think it would have been appropriate since the guys were heckling, but to take it to that level was, like they said in the video, uncalled for.

Now whenever I watch my Seinfeld DVDs, I'm sure I'm going to just think of this whenever he comes on the screen.

Wow.
 
[quote name='VanillaGorilla']That's probably it.

"If you don't go buy Seinfeld Season 7, I'll stick a fork up your ass, nigger!.[/QUOTE]

:lol:

that should be the ad campaign
 
[quote name='PapiChullo']My mom sent me the link to this and when I read the article, I thought, "wow that's pretty crazy." But the video itself is one of the more shocking things I've seen in a while. More than the fact that he's using the N word, it's how malicious that it felt when he was saying it. There was no comedy anywhere surrounding that. That was aimed to incite fury in the guys he was talking to. He could have used motherfuckers and bitches all he wanted, and I think it would have been appropriate since the guys were heckling, but to take it to that level was, like they said in the video, uncalled for.

Now whenever I watch my Seinfeld DVDs, I'm sure I'm going to just think of this whenever he comes on the screen.

Wow.[/QUOTE]

agreed

if Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle said the same thing, in the same way - it would have still received a negative reaction

his tone of voice and general demeanor was hate-filled
 
After seeing this circulated on the news, I'm in awe of people demanding "apologies". "He owes us an apology!", etc.

What he did was wrong... but why does he owe anyone anyone an apology? It's not a crime to be racist -- it does make you a piece of shit, however.

I dunno. It just seems as absurd / fruitless as asking the KKK or Hitler for an apology.
 
I was about to post this.

Man, that's sad. He's a hilarious comedian, it's really too bad he probably ruined his career and legacy with this. I have noticed he seemed kind of bitter ever since Seinfeld ended. Poor guy.
 
[quote name='Brak']After seeing this circulated on the news, I'm in awe of people demanding "apologies". "He owes us an apology!", etc.

What he did was wrong... but why does he owe anyone anyone an apology? It's not a crime to be racist -- it does make you a piece of shit, however.

I dunno. It just seems as absurd / fruitless as asking the KKK or Hitler for an apology.[/quote]

I totally was thinking the same thing. what a fucking band-aid... what does an apology really do? especially from an actor or someone who really needs to make it for PR. a public apology would sound more like, "i'm sorry that was filmed and that i got busted."

"Wow, I feel so much better.." while the guy who's apologizing says, "wow, i think my lifelong racists views are changing before my eyes".

That's some pussy shit.. just fight it out. ;)
 
[quote name='PapiChullo']My mom sent me the link to this and when I read the article, I thought, "wow that's pretty crazy." But the video itself is one of the more shocking things I've seen in a while. More than the fact that he's using the N word, it's how malicious that it felt when he was saying it. There was no comedy anywhere surrounding that. That was aimed to incite fury in the guys he was talking to. He could have used motherfuckers and bitches all he wanted, and I think it would have been appropriate since the guys were heckling, but to take it to that level was, like they said in the video, uncalled for.

Now whenever I watch my Seinfeld DVDs, I'm sure I'm going to just think of this whenever he comes on the screen.

Wow.[/QUOTE]
Exactly. It seemed like he really had a genuine hate towards "the black man and all they stand for".

I feel sorry for him
 
Hmm interesting vid. My 2 cents - I think he started off trying to do a sort of edgy George Carlin style social commentary about how we're still shocked by these kinds of 'bad words', but he pretty quickly went way over the edge into all-out batshit crazy land`
 
Hmmm...

Well, first, the black guy was interrupting his act. Conviniently, we don't get that part, but it's described as "innocent heckling." As a three year old that gets bit by a dog and they'll say they were just "petting it." Then you find out they were pulling on its ears or something stupid.

Granted, it may not have justified calling him a nigger, but judging from what you could hear of him, he was just that. Loud and obnoxious and obviously disrespectful if he was the one interrupting the show. Not is he bothering someone trying to earn a living, but he was bothering people that paid to see the performance.

But again, that really doesn't excuse Richards. He could have said, "I'd apreciated it if you could be quiet," or even just, "Shut the fuck up dickhead."
As far as apologies... He doesn't owe anyone shit. He is well within his rights to say nigger until he passes out, it just makes him an asshole.
 
[quote name='Kayden']Hmmm...

Well, first, the black guy was interrupting his act. Conviniently, we don't get that part, but it's described as "innocent heckling." As a three year old that gets bit by a dog and they'll say they were just "petting it." Then you find out they were pulling on its ears or something stupid.

Granted, it may not have justified calling him a nigger, but judging from what you could hear of him, he was just that. Loud and obnoxious and obviously disrespectful if he was the one interrupting the show. Not is he bothering someone trying to earn a living, but he was bothering people that paid to see the performance.

But again, that really doesn't excuse Richards. He could have said, "I'd apreciated it if you could be quiet," or even just, "Shut the fuck up dickhead."
As far as apologies... He doesn't owe anyone shit. He is well within his rights to say nigger until he passes out, it just makes him an asshole.[/quote]

Carlin handles hecklers the best.

"Do I come to your work and slap a dick out of your mouth?"
 
I feel as though, he slipped up. He got really pissed off about the guy interrupting him and he let it get to him so much that he let it slip he was a racist.

To himself, he was probably thinking "Oh shit! Did I just call that black guy a nigger? I better try and play this off."

So then he tried to act like it was part of his act.
 
I know weve all seen south park episodes and thought "maybe they went too far". Does that mean we stop watching south park? No because if we only accept some actions as offensive and others as not, then we ourselves are being sort of racist. Its sort of like the whole chef thing, where it was ok to make fun of every religion in the world but wasnt acceptable when it came to scienceology.

People accept the n word from some comedians but not from others, granted this wouldnt be the right way to use it since it seems really racist, you also have comdey central airing how carlos mencia thinks japanese people shouldnt be allowed at pearl harbor because "they did it". So it should either be ok in either situation or not in both.
 
[quote name='Weedy649'], you also have comdey central airing how carlos mencia thinks japanese people shouldnt be allowed at pearl harbor because "they did it". So it should either be ok in either situation or not in both.[/QUOTE]

The thing is Carlos Mencia is a huge fucking dickhead and no one cares or pays attention to what he says because he is unfunny. Michael Richards is an icon for his portrayal of Kramer. It really saddens me that it's come to this for him.
 
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