Viral Michael Richards Apologizes

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  1. sfnative57 Posted on Nov 20 '06 at 10:06 PM

  too little too late??? time will tell .....

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  2. kari1975 Posted on Nov 20 '06 at 11:17 PM

  What he did was horrible and this isn't even a genuine apology. I don't think any apology is good enough...once that stuff leaves your mouth it is obviously what is on your mind and inexcusable. While an apology won't do much of anything, I would have expected him to say "I was embarrassed and they hit a nerve with their heckling and I was stupidly looking for way to hurt them in return with something that would sting. It was a very low blow and not how I truly feel, but I think we have all been in a heated argument where we said something for only the reason of hurting someone who has hurt you in the heat of anger. I wasn't thinking when I made those horrible comments and I am truly deeply sorry for everyone who I have hurt and offended". Not that shallow half assed apology on Lettermen. I personally think he is sorry because he just put the final shovel of dirt on his career.

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  3. kari1975 Posted on Nov 20 '06 at 11:18 PM

  ooops meant to say I personally think he is "sorry" ONLY because he just put the final shovel of dirt on his career.

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  4. chismaneric Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 12:59 AM

  So much for freedom of speech...

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  5. supasaucy618 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 2:35 AM

  i took him 3 days to apologize for that horrible display of emotions. he isn't sorry. you can't be sorry for something like what he did. he meant what he said or he wouldn't have said it. crap like that comes from the heart. and he didn't go back to the club to apolizige. he went back there like nothing happened. that's why he's banned forever. and thank the management for that. why would he think the people that were there the night before would go back to see him the next day. and we are not afro-americans dumb ass. we are of african descent. i used to love him on seinfeld, but what he has done couldn't have been more insulting, hurtful and damning. what would he have said if he was heckled by a white person. then he had the nerve to speak of katrina. did he make any donations as a comedian like the others. no one should use the n word in any circumstance. there is nothing he can say to amend his behavior. but he was right when he said he had some personal work to do with himself because his tirade came from the heart. those are deep rooted feelings of hatred for another race.

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  6. thizzer4shizzer Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 3:18 AM

  Shallow Americans.. oh my god. Did you guys ever noticed that black people use the word 'niggah' about one million times in a rap-song? Ever noticed how easy black people call white people 'White-boys' or 'wiggers' or something that is just as racist? Get over it! We're not hating Germans or calling them names because they were racists (enslaving people as well in some sort of way) only 50 years ago. Your story goes back for what? 500 years? *geez* . So does this mean were allowed to flip when a German says 'Nazi' or 'Jew' because it's only 50 years ago and we should cherish the fact that they f'd us over in the 50's ? No. we shouldn't. We should cherish the fact that we're living together in one big Europe and having a good time along with it. Just a messsage to Americans with brains preferably: QUIT THE WHITE-BLACK stuff it's getting fucking annoying and it's a 500 year old story, stop cherishing and get ALONG. And no, i am not a racist and i don't have connections with racist parties, in fact in Holland i like to vote for a multi-cultural government, so we can, in comparison to you, get along together.

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  7. kiwi98802 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 3:46 AM

  This message is for thizzer4shizzer: Ok, first of all you clearly are not from this country, so you have no right to comment on things that you do not know about. F*ck what you heard but what you see on tv is not America. If you are not here day to day, I you don't have a right to comment about "shallow Americans" and the fact that you would try to pass off the holocaust as something that does not affect people today is a crying shame. If anyone is shallow here I think it is you and I just hope for the sake of your country that you an anomaly and do not represent the majority opinion of your country.

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  8. mrnads Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 4:03 AM

  not afro americans? when the "black community" was talkign to the head of security of the laugh factory, who is black, he used the term Afro american profusely. how was the apology not heart felt? i thought he was very sincere in his apology. who cares if ti was from teh heart.. what do you want? him to die? stop feeling like the world owes you one.

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  9. aldiboronti Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 4:28 AM

  I was reminded of the way that Chinese in the time of Chairman Mao and the Cultural Revolution were forced to stand in front of an audience and criticize themselves, apologizing for their incorrect thoughts. He's a stand-up comic, he was trying to be 'outrageous', it didn't come off. So what? Give the guy a break, he didn't lynch anybody. It saddened me that he didn't try to defend himself; I don't think he has a racist bone in his body.

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  10. motokyle Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 5:43 AM

  OK, this country of ours is getting out of hand. thizzer4shizzer, what you said has absolute merit. Don't listen to that idiot kiwi98802. I love America, but we are a bunch of tight wad prunes when it comes to race, speech and nudity. I live in the south, A-Town to be exact. Don't try to tell me that racism does not exist on both sides of the color here. Thing is, it only exists because idiotic people can't get over it. It was 500 years ago, I don't owe any african american (or of african descent as supasaucy618 puts it [what a dumb ass] ) anything other than the standard respect all Americans should show each other. Maybe if black people would make a point to quit stereotyping themselves as lazy gangsta ballas, there would be less apprehension towards them. Americans are here to get ahead and make a better life. Watching videos of people glamorizing drug sales and laziness is not cool. Just like hard working blacks (I work with numerous professional and educated black people) get irritated when they see some white trash roaming around begging. This is a two way street that only accomodates the people willing to travel on it. Get over yourselves, what Michael Richards said is something we have all vented to ourselves in a fit of rage at some point, regardless of race. He just did it at a very bad time and place. The guy is human, sh!t happens, get over and shut up people. It's not the first time we have heard the words he used and certainly not the last.

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  11. motokyle Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 5:43 AM

  OK, this country of ours is getting out of hand. thizzer4shizzer, what you said has absolute merit. Don't listen to that idiot kiwi98802. I love America, but we are a bunch of tight wad prunes when it comes to race, speech and nudity. I live in the south, A-Town to be exact. Don't try to tell me that racism does not exist on both sides of the color here. Thing is, it only exists because idiotic people can't get over it. It was 500 years ago, I don't owe any african american (or of african descent as supasaucy618 puts it [what a dumb ass] ) anything other than the standard respect all Americans should show each other. Maybe if black people would make a point to quit stereotyping themselves as lazy gangsta ballas, there would be less apprehension towards them. Americans are here to get ahead and make a better life. Watching videos of people glamorizing drug sales and laziness is not cool. Just like hard working blacks (I work with numerous professional and educated black people) get irritated when they see some white trash roaming around begging. This is a two way street that only accomodates the people willing to travel on it. Get over yourselves, what Michael Richards said is something we have all vented to ourselves in a fit of rage at some point, regardless of race. He just did it at a very bad time and place. The guy is human, sh!t happens, get over and shut up people. It's not the first time we have heard the words he used and certainly not the last.

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  12. cherylizen Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 6:10 AM

  Didn't they make a million dollars a week? He mentions Katrina - why not just take a page outta Sandra Bullock's book, and donate a million - or two? Jeez...what ever happened to good ol' "Put your money wear your mouth is"????? Anyway, I think the guy is genuinely sorry, and I think he just flipped out, but seriously.....make amends, man, make amends!!!

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  13. koth93 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 7:17 AM

  This country in under the thumb of a horrible double-standard. I am certain that, if this were Chris Rock, Cedric, or another black comedian and that comedian had lashed out at white hecklers, slinging whatever vile racial epithets they could think of, we would not be having this conversation. That having been said, I think that we should accept his apology. That doesn't mean why have to forgive him or condone what he did.

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  14. riddim Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 7:31 AM

  just another actor saying his lines......what he said before HE MEANT. F*CK HIM

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  15. thizzer4shizzer Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 7:33 AM

  @ kiwi98802 This message is for thizzer4shizzer: Ok, first of all you clearly are not from this country, so you have no right to comment on things that you do not know about. > Says the American. Number one country in the world that does not only comment on other countries, they even force them to do what they want. Shut it please. F*ck what you heard but what you see on tv is not America. If you are not here day to day, I you don't have a right to comment about "shallow Americans". > No you're right, you're not shallow. You just believe your stupid president and your fake elections. and the fact that you would try to pass off the holocaust as something that does not affect people today is a crying shame. > America didn't experience the holocaust, so qoute: you have no right to comment on things that you do not know about. Let's say it's more like forgive and forget here instead of your: let's yak on about it the rest of our lives and make a fucking joke out of a so called: civilized, modern and so tolerant country. If anyone is shallow here I think it is you and I just hope for the sake of your country that you an anomaly and do not represent the majority opinion of your country. > In fact i do and i beg god on my naked knees that i will never become 'Americanalized' like you. To make it even worse for you: The majority of my country <--- strike-through, fellow Europeans think exactly like me. Oh and don't invade my country please because i'm probably a major terrorist risk for you by now. Please don't comment anymore, you will only make a fool out of yourself even more.

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  16. thizzer4shizzer Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 7:50 AM

  @motokyle Exactly my point! Thank you for your understanding. I hope you're some kind of new generation American that will make both Americans and other world-citizens proud of the U.S. again.

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  17. SirEstabrook Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 8:24 AM

  Anyone here ever done any "stand-up comedy"? David Letterman sorta touched on this when Michael Richards was talking but I was thinking it probably went over everyone's heads since they can't relate. The very atmosphere of a comedy club is one of outrageousness and going over the edge. Where everyone can leave their "straight lives" at the door and enjoy laughs, temporarily, at the expense of everyone and everything. There are derogatory comments made about everyone. Ya don't belive me, just ask a couple of black comics...or catch their act. However, no matter how outrageous the act or what is said, no one should take any of it personally. This said, one of the very first things a comic learns is that difficult hecklers HAVE to be put in their place as soon as possible...and the more overwhelming the manner used to do it, the better the show for everyone...the comic and the audience. Doing this requires a great deal of quick thinking, improvisation and the daring to occassionally even interract with the heckler in such a way as to allow him/her to actually make the show! All of these are signs or a good comic. You can tell this is exactly what Michael Richards was doing and, if you've ever seen his routine before, you know he can bring a new dimension to outrageous. I'm sure he was just caught up in the moment. I'll bet he even realized as soon as he said the "N-word" the first time that he'd crossed the line but then, realizing the atmosphere he was in, decided to just go with it and see where it took things. I can certainly understand how people could take offense at what was said and have read some great comments above. After reading and commenting though, just remember to visit your local comedy club tonight to unwind!

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  18. torbing Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 8:33 AM

  Nigger and Nigga are two different meanings. Also the way he used it in context made it racial. It doesn't matter if the slang "nigga" is used in the African American community. Personally as a Black American I do not use that language anyway. The word shouldn't be used by any one, it opens too many wounds.

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  19. sb1977 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 9:17 AM

  He doesn't need to apologize. If a black person calls me a cracker I can call him a nigga. Same goes for every race, don't dish it if you cannot take it. If you don't like him after that, then too bad.

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  20. katestarr Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 9:21 AM

  he called him nigger first-cracker came second. both were wrong, but i just wanted to clear that up.

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  21. supasaucy618 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 9:25 AM

  motokyle, the dumb ass is you. since you mentioned videos stereo typing drug sales and laziness, have you noticed there are more and more white artists making the same stereotypical videos as well? do you go to movies or watch television, because if you do, there are more caucasions putting out that nonsense than anyone of any race. you should be aware of it since you know so damned much about the society we live in. you sound a little peeved that i (and other people of african descent) don't like being called afro-american. what's your problem? ask some of those professional educated black people you work with if they appreciate or condone being called afro american or negro or anything else derogatory. there is never a time or place to stereo type or to vent that rhetoric unless you are a racist dumb ass. it also sounds as though you are one of those people that has to vent in such a manner. do you even have any ethic friends? because if you did you'd actually know something. maybe you and m.r. need to get together and vent on your two way street.

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  22. torbing Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 9:56 AM

  sb1977 ~ Too late, he apologized. Why? Because he knew it was wrong. Be the better man and not use such harming language, even if someone calls you a name first. Such corrispondence is juvinile and belongs in grade school.

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  23. nannypoo Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 10:00 AM

  For non-Black & non-American people: What makes you think you can decide why we shouldn't be offended when a white person spews the nigger thing with venom. How can you compare what we say to each other with what you say to us with such hatred. When you get over O.J., we'll get over the the Emmit Tills. Racism is a part of our history, you want us to wipe it away as if it never existed and not talk about it the way it wasn't talked about until the 60's. Please! We're working on ourselves. We know a lot better than you, what we need to do. As far as all that gangsta' rap. To paraphrase Tupac, "I got a whole lot of positive rap, it's not what the people with the money want to let get through." As far as Black Americans, we are very forgiving. This is new right now; we define what we respond to, not you who don't walk in our skin and especially not someone in Europe. Check your continent, there aren't any racial problems, right? Maybe if we responded to racism vigorously 50 years ago, there wouldn't be so many Black bodies hanging from poplar trees. We will get over it in a couple of weeks, just like Jews who were offended by Mel Gibson's comments -- nobody told them to get over it but we are not supposed to be offended? These comments exemplify how you brush off what matters to us. From the words of Rodney King "Why can't we all just get along." I wonder what Abner Luima and Amadou Diallo would say? Peace

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  24. supasaucy618 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 10:12 AM

  i'm with you nannypoo. well said.

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  25. skypher Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 10:24 AM

  oke what he did was wrong, respect that he did appologise (if he didn't he would get the sack, wonder if he wouldn't get it now) but my point is just like thizzer4shizzer wy be so supperficial, o no he said the N word!!! So what, ok I hate raccist my self (doesn't that make me a raccist? that's axactly what a raccist is, hating someone for what he is)but what the heck everyone has it at some point in his/her life, that he or she regrets what he said. You me them everybody so why make such a fuss about it? and now for something totally different (I know, monthy python) anne frank the dutch Jewish girl wrote a book wich i illegal in some american states because she writes about her sexual feelings, wich is just feeling in love with a boy, don't you think that is just slight over the top?

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  26. moondawg10 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 10:35 AM

  I worry about all the Celebrity melt-downs. The life of a Celebrity is supposed to be a reflection of the best society has to offer. If they are at the edge, what chance do the rest of us have? Richards was wrong, but you can tell he was doing a character - - a very BAD character. I do not see Richards using those words in his own life. He sounded more like a black person rapping than a white person being racist. But I consider some of the remarks to be not only racist but threatening. (The first comment made, which I can’t bring myself to repeat.) I have met Richards and he is the opposite of Kramer. He is a very shy man, and I would imagine suffered his fair share of teasing when he was young. Sometimes a person flashes back to high school and becomes that insecure little kid who just wants to be left alone. The only good thing that has come from him and Mel Gibson is that the deluded people who claim racism doesn’t exist anymore can SHUT THE HELL UP!!!! I personally apologize for all racist comments made in the clip, Black and White. We ALL can do better than this. Remember Dr. King and his dream? And how about another King - - “Can’t we all just get along?”

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  27. dontbeagrunt Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 10:54 AM

  Realize this...yes we live in a society of double standards and a society built on the shoulders of racism and elitism. There is a time and place for different "kinds" of conversation. In my opinion, this guy has been dropping "N-bombs" way before his outbreak. The problem is that he said it publically and got burned because of his celebrity. Had he been an "average Joe", he'd probably would have gotten the -ish beat out of him shortly thereafter (Yeah I said it!). He was an actor, who's show is in syndication. I don't believe anything that comes out of his mouth. Let him say something about Jewish people, I bet Jerry would bust his *ss and he'd really would be out of Hollywood! Hell! Even the audience was laughing at him..they (Letterman's people) probably turned the audience's mic off, because of the insensitivity of Letterman's own audience. This guy will suffer no repremand from those who are directly in-line with his paycheck and obviously he has never had someone of African-American decent even close to being a friend. (Now..it may be a little harder after this) People utter racial slurs all of the time, but IT HOLDS DIFFERENT CONTEXT WHEN DIRECTED TO OTHERS OUTSIDE YOUR OWN CULTURE. If you are watching a show or listening to music that ORIGINATES from another culture/ethnicity, be prepared to tolerate what you expose yourself to especially if you are not of that culture. This guy answers to no one. He has celebrity and the ability to still get on TV. No one is going to force him to think any differently unless you are paying him. It's not like he is in a public office or a very influencial person like Tom Hanks or Oprah Winfrey..he's just "Kramer", a syndicated, well-paid, re-run. Personal Statement: "I too America apologize for having thoughts about thinking about racial thoughts. I will personally sleep on it and hopefully I'll be a better person in the morning. If I offended any literate-American, I am deeply sorry." (smirk) I'

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  28. rieper82 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 11:03 AM

  Afro american? Thats a first.

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  29. Franky4Fingers Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 11:14 AM

  The fight to end racism between blacks and whties is a two way road people.

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  30. ArkhangeL Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 11:15 AM

  Everytime I watch a black person doing stand up comedy, I always hear racist comments and stereotypes, but if a black person is proud of their race, that is called "Proud" but if a white person calls itself proud, then people calls them "racist" it's a double standard...

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  31. Moizelle Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 11:34 AM

  @ thizzer4shizzer Shallow. You quite sure what the word even means or need I better link you up with an online dictionary? That and an encyclopedia maybe. I'd be more careful using 'fancy' words when obviously thinking WWII took place in the 50's. And no, we do not have a multi-cultural government in Holland. What exactly do you even base that 'thought' on? Seriously, before you go lecture anyone make sure to check your facts. You may believe to be promoting Holland but to me you only are an embarassment.

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  32. snuff12345 Posted on Nov 21 '06 at 11:48 AM

  I myself have seen endless amounts of comic shows where the comedian of African-American decent would act out a skit in criticism of “Whiteman” and mimicking how we talk. In most cases dropping lines like “white people” this and “white people” that and even making the “cracker” reference. After reading all the above responses I think back upon being at those venues and how I felt. I remember feeling like I was in the spotlight, very out of place, awkward, and insulted. Especially due to the fact that most people in the audience were black (and