No Kavorka Here: Kramer Goes Unhinged

Well... He had every right..

They were acting like NIGGERS lol

Some people say that they were friendly heckling.

There is no such thing as friendly heckling lol

He is a comedian, they were talking loudly and disrupting his performance...acting like your typical nigger.

And he let them know what they were acting like..and they didn't like that.

So they called him a racist.

Hey..if this is his first racial outbreak

It doesn't make him a racist.

If you drink your first beer, does that make you a raging alcoholic?

NO

If you smoke your first cigarette, does that make you a chain smoker?

NO

This was his first outbreak.

So calm down, everybody at some point acts like a nigger.

If you

After reading posts defending Micheal Richards, it is amazing this country calls itself the great melting pot of cultures.

America, is an Ethnocentic European Racist entity, where whites either know and play dumb or are dumb to fact of its Racist ways. I believe the former because whites have no problem staying as far on the out-skirts of living amongst people of color.

White people want lilly white neighborhoods, towns and citys, yet want to placate they are not RACIST. No it is not a preference to live in an all White community if only a few people of color move there, and all the white people move away. That is RACISM!! It is still all white, but in white people's mind, all it takes is two or three to move into the community and meetings began about real estate property going down. ....*sigh*

Micheal Richards downfall was simply threatening the patrons with lynching scenarios, and don't disrupt the WHITE man's privilege attitude!! But againg some will feign ignorance about this.

I don't see how this is a big deal. The audience payed to see an act, its not like this message was broadcast on abc or nbc? If you don't enjoy the act you are free to get up and leave. Frankly I don't understand why everyone has to walk on egg shells and watch their mouth because the African American population sais so. This is a free country and the word "nigger" is a word like any other. Granted its not very tasteful but its a word like any other.

Personally I don't consider the word "cracker" to be very offensive. In fact, there really aren't any racial slurs to refer to white people. If somebody called me a "honky" or a "cracker", I think I would probably laugh a little.

This is my take,

The black guy was no better. I don't see why they are interviewing his dumb ass like a hero or something. He is just a moron who was talking shit and someone put him in his place.

For Christ sake, the black guy called him a "Cracker". If Richards wants to use the word nigger. I fully approve of it.

Black female here.

It's Richard's absurd claim to the spoils of white supremacy was most troubling. His comments revealed his belief that the heckler's had somehow dissed his presence as a white man.

The N-word reference was used in that instance to highlight that blacks had stepped out of bounds.

Framing this affair as simply the use of the N-word is not only cowardly, it unfairly places the onus on black folks to respond.

Richards offended EVERYONE with his comment.

This discussion is getting old. Yes Richards is a dim witted, goofball and the hecklers were low life jerks who gave no respect to the other people in attendance. Blowing this into a "War of the Worlds" major civil rights crisis is a bit ridiculous. Yes, there are backward thinking people of all races out there. However, using the word nigger, is and should be recognized as improper and offensive by all members of our culture. Accordingly, black people need to practice a bit more criticism directed at their own fellow blacks who use this word. It should not be deemed acceptable when coming from a black or white celebrity's mouth, regardless of the tone,tenor or infliction in which it is spoken. Case in point, how can we as a society justify permitting only black people to sing along with the lyrics of countless popular rap songs, while at the same time labeling a white person a racist for singing those same songs?

I sympathize with many of the sentiments expressed on this blog, however traveling too far back in history, in an attempt to give credibility to one's position as did 'Enlightened' early in this blog, stirs up irrelevant off point and distracting debate that in reality hurts the cause of those of us who strive to make our society a level playing field for people of all races. His comment was:

' Perhaps you've never had anyone in your family strung up by their neck for no good reason. '

Was uncalled for, argumentative and in poor taste.

I am sympathetic for any human being who has been victim to such an atrocity, but give me a break! My family first arrived in this Country approximately 80 years ago. No one in my family ever owned a slave. However, I am certain that many of my ancestor family members were tortured and died as slaves of the Roman Empire. However, it would be a ridiculous for me to rely on this as a crutch to justifying my current condition.

Richards only apologized because he wants to continue making money. I wouldn't have apologized if I were him. If that is how he feels, why does he have to apologize. He should just announce how he is sorry he was so loud about it.

Thd video doesn't bother me. I believe that if you are going to be rude and heckle a comedian or someone during "their" show, you deserve what you get. If you are going to open your mouth and heckle someone, then be prepared for a response far worse then what you dished out.

Why were the men talking during his show?

I sing in public and I like to go clubs to listen to Jazz. Many times there are people talking loud and carrying on during a performance. It is very rude to the performer and everyone trying to listen. The talkers don't care about anyone but themselves.

And the people using the word "nigga...," this is what you will get for flaunting the word. This is what you get for not respecting the legacy of the word. This is what the present generation gets for not keeping white people in check. White people will give you what "they" think you deserve. You will teach them how to treat you with your actions.

BOOK CRITICAL OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO USE THE N-WORD



Los Angeles, CA., Author H. Lewis Smith has written a thought provoking, culturally divided book that will not only spark heated conversation, but can also bring about real change. The N-word is often used in the African American community amongst each other and is generally not a problem when spoken by another African American. However, once the word is used by a Caucasian person, it brings on other effects. The question is "who can use the word and why?" Smith believes it is a word that should be BURIED!!!!

The book is written in a manner that all can understand. The points are well-taken and the wording is easy to follow. There are quotes from great people in our history including Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, James Baldwin and many, many others. Smith has mixed history with honesty, love with life, education with effects. This is a great book for educators, parents, managers, professionals, newsmen, and anyone else wanting an in-depth look at the N-word, the effects and the solutions. A MUST READ!!!!



To learn more about Bury that Sucka, please visit http://www.burythatsucka.com

There's no "context" to justify the public nostalgia of "50 years ago, we'd have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your ass!" For whom is that a fond memory? I cannot think of any provocation from a heckler to justify such a cruel desire to return to a time when people were murdered for what they look like. Perhaps you've never had anyone in your family strung up by their neck for no good reason. Perhaps your maternal ancestors were not repeatedly raped by their so-called owners, producing variances in hues that we don't find particularly aesthetically pleasing. Perhaps you have no folklore about coming to this country in the belly of a ship, chained to other humans already lying in their feces and vomit. Perhaps no one you know has told you the story of how your great great grandmother murdered her kids rather than have them sold as property to perverted and sadistic europeans. Maybe you think Africans are really not human beings and that their legacy of suffering doesn't need to be acknowledged. I bet if he mentioned the holocaust, his pal Seinfeld wouldn't be on Letterman defending him.

I don't link to my e-mail because Gothamist sells peoples e-mail addresses to spammers......

Supercracker, and your comrades in honkydom (or dumb), I like how you don't bother to link to your email addresses...why? because you're too chickenshit to be public with your idiocy.

Gothamist Commentors-

You make me feel sorry for America. Everyone should be offended by this video. If this tirade exists within all white people I'm scared at how they really think...although the comments here help solidify my thoughts on what most white people are really like anyway. Hope this is not an accurate cross-section. In fact, I hope any white people reading these comments understand that it is NOT OK to defend Mr. Richards' hateful and hurtful tirade unless you wanna be lumped in with that.

Richards says: "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!"

Anyway you look at it, that's some racist garbage, man. He wasn't using it in a joke or part of the act, he didn't naively say "My nigg-A" like he was trying to be 'down'. He called a black man a niggeR Five times. Then he reminded him that he was lucky they weren't living in a time when racism was the norm, "fifty years ago we would have turned you upside down and stuck a fork up your ass."

Come on.

I agree with his fellow comedian Paul Rodriguez and the heckler who said "That's un-f***ing called for, ain't necessary." He'll see.

I suppose you can try traveling back in time, Supercracker. While youre at it, please give your dad a whole lot more condoms.

Where can I get me a slave? Bow down, nigs.

White America--even if you were called a cracker everyday 10x a day for the rest of your lives, you still are priviliged. You're top dog, and you KNOW you're top dog. Cut the sensitivity bullshit.

"nigga" vs. "nigger". there is actually a world of difference.

please read the book NIGGER: THE STRANGE CAREER OF A TROUBLESOME WORD by randall kennedy.

it gives an etymological and social perspective.

The original intention of the word was to insult--it meant slovenly, lazy, impudent. it wasn't a racialized term. then it was appropriated to be so. and the black community has since reclaimed it, but never in its full -grrrr glory. it's totally pomo!

cracker (and honky), on the other hand, was an epithet created by white people, for white people, during the exploitation era. its totally ineffectual. you're being called a foodstuff. calm down. white people, surely you don't have the history (present, future) of oppression bearing down on your shoulders.

doesn't stiffle the sting when its used cross-racially. it's kind of inane when its used intraracially (not a word, i know). i dunno. i think the best part is when the hecklers call richards a wash-up, and he totally concedes!

Supercracker you just prooved yourself to be an idiot. First of all, i think O.J. is guilty. Second, i worship no man. Third, in my post.... what exactly gave u ANY idea that i had anything to do with " thug rappers"? Channel your anger towards what your really mad at. Oh, and by the way.... I never said that all white people were racist, but you obviously feel that u fit the bill.

Wtf are you talking about, Supercracker? How do you know who Nando "worships"? How do you know he supports O.J.? Great job taking out all your racist hate on one person you don't even know.

NBC Special Report on Michael Richards

http://tinyurl.com/yb28tl

Oooooh, the "R" word from Nando! Are we supposed to quiver in fear because you might

call us white people "racists?" Guess what?

WE DON'T CARE! Go back to worshipping your

murderous black 'brutha' OJ, and your illiterate

and idiotic thug rappers. You are drowning in

your own hypocrisy and double-standards!

For all u people who dont know the difference, white people werent made slaves, degraded with the word nigger, beaten, killed, and any thing else you can think of. Not to mention the use of "black face" and a few hundred more years of being called niggers. The word "cracker" has no meaning or history behind it and is no way equal to the word "nigger". If you think because blacks use that word gives you the right to use it also.... guess what? your a racist...

(White) responders above: Why are you so sensitive? You don't actually care about being called "crackers"; you're just saying that now to be combative. I doubt you give a shit about it until a black person is offended at being called the N word. Then you spin around and call it a double standard. Shut up, you know you don't care until you see a prime opportunity to complain. THAT is the difference between the two words.

White people have been getting made fun of and called names for years. His apologizing will just bring out calls for more apologizing, followed by "It's not good enough" from so-called Black leaders. He's doomed, and it's a shame. I f aBlack comic went off on White people (Actually, they do quite a bit) it would hardly get attention.

Blacks today use slavery, something they've never experienced, as the all-purpose excuse to hate white people. They think this justifies their ignorance and hatred, while at the same time insisting that white hatred against them is totally unjustified. Michael Richards knows better -- he is a true American hero! Richards / Lott in 2008!

OJ Simpson: never forget!

Celebrate now whitey. You're the pox on civilization.

I see Craigslist has invaded gothamist.

Only a racist would mention fifty years ago you'll be hanging upside down.

Only a racist would say that word and because he's a "comedian" he knows how powerful words can be.

Sad state of affairs? what planet are you from whitey?

Remember that blacks are the people who cheered when the now self-confessed murderer OJ Simpson was let off the hook by a black jury. Blacks love to hate whites and call each other "nigga,"

but then cry like little babies when a white person says the least little derogatory thing to them. Michael Richards is a hero -- Richards for president in 08! -- Trent Lott for Veep!

People continue to say that Richards, because he used the the word nigger intending to hurt the guy's feelings, was racist. There is a difference between yelling at the guy with the intent to insult his race, versus yelling with the intent to call him on his rude actions. He called him a nigger because the heckler was being an asshole, not just because he was black. Had the heckler been a girl, he would have called her a bitch, wouldn't have meant he was sexist against all women. The heckler was simply rude and disruptive and Richards called him on it. All those who say Richards intent was racisism are being racist by taking the action of being rude and turning it into the action of being black. Furthermore, if you are going to attend a Richards comedy routine, you should be familiar with his body of work on Seinfeld. The show went over quite clearly how comedians feel about people interupting them at work. All Richards did was defend verbal attacks and interuptions made agaisnt him. It is a sad state of affairs in this country, when a man who interupts people at their work and are completely rude are felt sorry for, while as someone who defends themselves is forced to appologize.

Grow up. 6 million dead, never forget!!

lol

I just saw the video of his performance. It was unbelievable

Obviously, this racist, Michael Richards, has shown his cards. He's a racist and he finally felt comfortable showing it. No one calls someone else the N word once, twice, THREE times with that kind of conviction unless they mean it. And, calling someone the N word because you are purposely trying to offend someone is definitely inexcusable and meant to give one pause, but, what I find incredible is that no one is responding to the other most offensive, racist comment I've heard anyone say in public in a long time - well maybe since Trent Lott...

Michael Racist Richards says, "fifty years ago we would have turned you upside down and stuck a fork up your ass." Please understand what he's saying. 50 years ago was before the civil rights movement. Fifty years ago is when Emmett Till was beaten, torturned, hung upside down and stuck with objects up his rectum. Fifty years ago the Black community was openly, blatantly and constantly terrorized and LYNCHED. Let's not get it twisted. Michael Richards is a DIXIE racist and it appears that he's received his acting lessons from the so-called grand wizard himself. Please don't let this turd off the hook and let's be clear about what the most offensive comment is. To the Seinfeld folk and anyone else, don't you dare excuse this behavior. An apology is disengenuous. An apology from this creep is only to say, "I'm sorry I was caught on tape and ruined my career. " It's not an apology for having deeply felt racist feelings.

As a black man in this country---those words could offend me or many other blacks; however we have become so sensitive about this thing that its sickening!! Take it for what its worth--like the previous comment stated if a black comedian calls an audience full of whites--crackers would it be a big deal?? Or all Jews other names would it be a big deal? Bottom line if he wasn't funny--he wasn't funny-he shouldn't have been at a comedy club if not a comedian!! Stop being so sensitive--remember the 1st amendment!!

Well, I think Richards needs a psychiatrist. I don't care how pissed off you are, if you are in the public eye and can't control yourself any better that that--- YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP. I don't care if he's a racist or temporarily pissed off... The trouble is>>>>the audiance PAID for a comedy act...NOT FUNNY!

If blacks find the N word so offense THEY SHOULD START BY NOT USING IT THEMSELVES.

You CAN'T have it both ways, and every time a black person uses the N word he or she is PERPETUATING its usage. Either it 'offends' you or you think it's cool, make-up your minds once and for all.

Everytime I hear (c)rap 'music' it's full of N words, glorifying violence and other immature crap. Which is why I call it HATE MUSIC.

THAT offends me and yet I have to put-up with that shit everywhere I go.

I think the difference between Cracker and Nigger are a mile wide. First of all Nigger symbolizes slavery and condescension while Cracker basically is a retort to Nigger that really isn't as powerful, made by black people who needed to call white people something. It's like calling someone a jerk(cracker) when he calls you a motherfucking cocksucking asshole faggot(nigger). Only certain white people get offended by Cracker while almost all black people get offended by nigger. hell, I get offended when someone uses the nigger figurative to address people who aren't even black.

to the people who say that black comedians get away with calling white folks "crackers" and stuff... there's a difference when someone's telling a joke and when someone's just angrily ranting and raving. there was no comedy in richards' routine, he was just spewing hate. he could've thought of a funny or witty retort, if he had the talent to do so, which he obviously didn't. he didn't use the word "nigger" in the context of a joke or anything, he just starting screaming it cuz he was angry, and his true feelings came out.

"Jerry and friends are going to lose a boatload of money on this. Who's going to advertise on Seinfeld reruns now??"

The Ford Motor Company

Jerry and friends are going to lose a boatload of money on this. Who's going to advertise on Seinfeld reruns now??

I still think Kramer (M. Richards) is AWESOME... the black boys deserved what they got..they were trying to get him upset it's thier own doing

It's very, very difficult to justify Richards' response no matter what the hecklers shouted to him.

[42] Posted by: Peter | November 20, 2006 3:42 PM

Have you ever been in a conventional comedy club? This may not be right but it's not that weird.

********************************************************

PleaseShutUp,

Were you there? If not, don't talk like you were. You saw an edited video and you act you like know exactly what happened. Please, shut up.

[43] Posted by: Questions & Answers | November 20, 2006 3:56 PM

He's not saying he knows what happened. He's saying none of us knows what happened beyond what's in that clip.

It always is entertaining when white people complain of a double standard in regards to racial epithets. Since when did the word "cracker" have attached to it 300+ years of violent history? "Cracker" and "nigger" are both charged words, but are far from being equally powerful.

Tomorrow nite at the comedy factory.

Sarah Silverman. and to make it fair,

On Weds, Paul Mooney.

claire's right and I really can't fathom anyone else seeing this view. Unless you're PC, is what the racists will say, whatever that means.

Or, PC is to blame, whatever again.

Are you whiteys so blind? and, what are you always whining about? why all the whining?

Live your own life, for christ sakes. I'll never understand whitey, that's for sure.

And, I'm WHite.

Regarding the cracker vs. nigga argument: The first thing you learn in any race relations class is that racism=prejudice+power. Black people using the work cracker is prejudiced, but it lacks the same amount of vitriol because we all know that at the end of the day, a black person still has no power to affect anyone negatively. A white person using the n-word on the other hand is prejudiced, but then also has the power to exclude minorities from larger opportunities: education, wealth, exclusive clubs, social circles. It's not as easy as saying 'it's a double standared.' Looking at it on the surface it seems so, but really it's comparing apples to oranges.

Is it considered racist if a black person calls a white person a nigga?

What's the big deal? He's a C-o-m-e-d-i-a-n!

Who wants to bet this is a pure publicity stunt to revive his sagging, pathetic career post Seinfeld.

This outburst may have been a little over the top I agree, but to be headline news on CNN ALL DAY seems to be a the perfect middle story in between a school bus crash and our daily dose of Iraq nonsense. You rock CNN!! Keep up the lame work.

I'm gonna kick me some crack-lovin, ho-eating, black nig-nog ass tonight fo sho!!

It's hard to imagine how Richards did not realize that such an outburst, in this day and age, is certain career death.

Unless you ARE a minority or a woman or a Democrat in which case you say whatever you want with no consequences.

What A STUPID comment. For your sake, I hope ignorance is bliss!

He sounds like a hipster doofus

Questions & Answers, All evidence points to this not being a part of his bit. No. I don't know if the film was edited, but Richards has already apologized and issued no rebuttal to the video. I'm going with those facts. To compare it to a comedian of any race using racially charged language in a routine meant to be funny, is an excessively defensive comparison. And, as I said in my first post, two wrongs do not make a right.

Unless you're living in a bubble, events of the past twenty years or so should indicate that it's to put it mildly, not nice to use the n-word or challenge the Holocaust. Umm, besides being socially unacceptable, it's just common sense. Who in their right mind would stand up in a theater and yell "Fire!"? It might be fun to do, but a lot of people are going to get mighty angry.

But it's not the content of what he said that really disturbed me (although it did)--it was more the witnessing of someone completely becoming unhinged before your eyes--like some of those schizophrenics who walk down the street screaming nonsense. The guy must be borderline insane.

By the way, I'd like to mention that Richards was performing on a "Fridays" show when Andy Kaufman became completely unhinged. Maybe he learned from the master.

PleaseShutUp,

Were you there? If not, don't talk like you were. You saw an edited video and you act you like know exactly what happened. Please, shut up.

Also the TMZ video posted of the incident starts AFTER Richards was heckled. We never hear what the hecklers said or how this got started or how it grew to the proportions it did.

Edited videos indeed can be misleading. This is not a new discovery, either. Part of the reason why the Rodney King beating video was so inflammatory was that only select portions got much exposure. From what I've heard, King comes off as much less of an innocent victim, and the cops as much less like brutal monsters, if one watches the rarely seen full-length video.

Concerns about video editing probably are beside the point in the present situation, however. It's very, very difficult to justify Richards' response no matter what the hecklers shouted to him. Especially considering that there were other options, either ignoring them or asking club security to eject them.

Seriously, its one thing to call double standard if Michael Richards was using nigger in a routine, but he flipped out and used it in anger. As a way to hurt. Question & Answers idiotic example of black comedians using cracker in their stand-up is not the same thing. If a black comedian flipped out and said some shit like "I'm going to beat the shit out of your cracker ass, you honkey son-of-a-bitch," we would probably be having a similar discussion. And let's not forget he did also imply that it he wanted to lynch the men. Which, quite frankly, is a whole lot worse than saying nigger.

I'm the king of crackers, but no black folk should be calling me it. Else they best be runnin'.

He should have just said something like "Hey, do I come down to the car wash and tell you how to shine spinners?" and let it go at that...

I don't go to comedy clubs often, but I clearly remember going to a few shows at Rascals a few years ago and there were black comedians using the word 'cracker' in reference to white people--so I agree with the previous poster Georgia Cracker. Each time, no one got visibly mad, no audience members stormed off angry, no video was posted online the next day in protest and no black comedians were called out for offensive behavior.

Also the TMZ video posted of the incident starts AFTER Richards was heckled. We never hear what the hecklers said or how this got started or how it grew to the proportions it did. There also appears to be a time lapse within the video-- editting can make something look worse than it is. I think we should all wait for the ENTIRE STORY-- that means all sides give their accounts-- before any judgements are made. True, what is caught on film of Richard's behavior is reprehensible, but was it totally uncalled for??? Was he just giving back what he was getting???

Call me a cracker, fine. Call you a nigger or even colored and I'm a felon! Why?

There are many of us when we are angered look for the best spot to attack. The spot that causes the most hurt and embarrassment, fat f..., You pillow biting ass.... You old crusty what ever Pencil neck bla bla...

Old Kramer saw the most hurtfull shot he could take was to nigger the hecklers. To be fair start heckling somebody don't cry if they

hurt your feelings! Some black people use nigger every tenth word out of their mouth but have a fit if the white man uses it gives the word super powers to hurt. A white man calls you a nigger and you do not fight him you are less than a man! Fight him and you go to jail. Kramer knew this. He also knew that security would bounce anybody who tried to attack him. If you are a black guy with money you will get arrested and sued! Leave like the heckler did and you are seen as cowardly even though it is the smart thing to do.

I think it might make sense to rethink this "it's our word and you better not use it". deal. Makes the word all to powerfull!

If he singled those hecklers out as "black guys" or "black folks" then he would have probably been given a tough time too, for simply not addressing them as "guys" or "folks."

Not to say that calling them niggers was justified or right -- he should be ashamed of himself, even if he was referring to them in the context of Chris Rock's standup routine about the two types of black people.

Between being a bit drunk, and someone knowing Richards may have had a bit of Mel Gibson in him, they probably baited him and got the reaction they wanted. I can't imagine what you'd really gain by doing this, other than settling some kind of personal score.

"Remember that, for a time, some black people considered other black people to be property as well."

For a time? It's still happening today.

One racist down, many more to go.

It's hard to imagine how Richards did not realize that such an outburst, in this day and age, is certain career death.

Richards has a career?

It isn't what he said so much but how he said it that disturbed me. He's stark raving mad.

'Cracker' was thrown around after the fact, after he started with the epithets. While, you can argue there is a double standard(although, id say the n-word is a much stronger epithets...kinda like comparing darn to damn).

U up to sumthing boy?

Go stick a peach up yo ass. coward, yellow belly kraka.

johnson's right.

You whitey cracka honky better get with it now.

You ain't king, no more. and, ya better get used to it.

All you got is your internet to spew your hate.

Funny thing is that if he had been a black comedian calling all of the white people in the audience a bunch of Crackers, nothing would have happened and there would be no discussion about it.

We indeed have a double standard when it comes to hate speech. Like it or not, however, the standard exists, and wilfully violating it can lead to all sorts of repercussions. Richards certainly knew - or should have known - that he could not say what he did and expect there to be no consequences.

Sometimes you just have to follow the rules even if you wish they didn't exist.

PleaseShutUp: No one is justifying his actions; he was wong and that is that. However, that is not an excuse to ignore what started it either. Fair is fair.

Right on, cracker.

Just because other people do something wrong, doesn't make someone else's wrong a right. And saying otherwise, honestly, makes you sound like an asshole.

Hal is right. Us honkys shouldn't get offended when a black person calls us a cracker. It's not a big deal. Personally, I like the word cracker and have no problem with it used against me. People need to calm down.

Remember that, for a time, some black people considered other black people to be property as well.

Jerry Seinfield is on Letterman tonight. I wonder if Dave will ask him if he knew his old pal was in the Klan. BTW, the reason yelling cracker will never have the same power as shouting n*gger is that black people never considered white people to be property. That takes it to a level beyond the understanding of any you honky mofos.

Guessin Jackie Childs won't take the case..

of course it was over the top. the dude lost his cool and retreated into clearly where he felt comfortable. spraying n-bombs all over the place. which only gives you insight into his real personality.

it was his mel gibson moment. at least mel can hey i was drunk. this dude was stone cold sober.

Well, I guess this puts an end to my hopes for a Seinfeld Reunion

I have some quick thoughts. It was not a smart thing to say at all. Hecklers are rude and have no class but to use the n word is over the top.

The hecklers were calling him a "cracker", from what I have heard. And Georgia Cracker is right about that everpresent racial double-standard...

i'm shocked! shocked to find hecklers at a comedy show. gosh. that's never ever happed to a comic before has it?

I'm praying for Kramer's safety...

Richards' reaction was completely uncalled for, but let's address all sides of the issue: The hecklers obviously lacked the decency and respect to know not to disrupt his act in the first place.

Musta been drinking the same tequila as Mel.

of course he has the right to say it. i don't recall federal agents swooping in and putting him in gitmo. that being said, other people have the right to give him flack for it.

rights have to do with consequences state governments exact on citizens, not of consequences citizens exact on each other.

"Unless you ARE a minority or a woman or a Democrat in which case you say whatever you want with no consequences."

True. We usually speak freely b/c we're not trying frantically to talk around all the racist, sexist, classist hatespeech garbage at the tips of our tongues...

PS- talking about waging a war under false pretenses and doing it seem to be only different in that the latter is the one w/o consequences

Funny thing is that if he had been a black comedian calling all of the white people in the audience a bunch of Crackers, nothing would have happened and there would be no discussion about it. Until this nation realizes that, although there are plenty of hateful and disgusting words, everyone (AND I DO MEAN EVERYONE) should have the right to say any of those words whenever and whereever they feel like it. Problem is, I can only rap along with my favorite hip-hop artists in the privacy of my own home.

@ Bad Chicken. Mess You Up: Classic.

It's a shame that this happened. I'd like to see how he pulls himself out of this one, if he does at all.

Hey Michael, what do you call your act?

Oh, it's the Aristocrats...

That's not gonna be good for business.

That's not gonna be good for anyone.

He really hasn't done much since Seinfeld, hasn't he? I never could stand Kramer and didn't understand why people found him funny.

It's hard to imagine how Richards did not realize that such an outburst, in this day and age, is certain career death.

Unless you ARE a minority or a woman or a Democrat in which case you say whatever you want with no consequences.

wow, he's the white rosa parks of comedians

as dom immera would say. or however you spell his name. Hopefully this won't rub off on any other cast members. Larry David did his black people episodes already.

this would be career suicide....if his career had still be living.

Wow, this was a meltdown of epic proportions. It seems that this incident revealed what this fool is really like. I never really thought Seinfeld was that funny anyway.

It's hard to imagine how Richards did not realize that such an outburst, in this day and age, is certain career death. People never cease to amaze me :)