Political Crossfire Forums

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

Not sure where to put this, as there's no racial forum and this is bound to get too "political," for the lounge forum, but...

http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/20/kramers-racist-tirade-caught-on-tape/

Quote: 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 n****r! He's a n****r! He's a n****r! A n****r, look, there's a n****r!"

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 n****r."

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.

Attempts to reach Richards' reps were unsuccessful.

Video is here. Make sure to click on the settings and set the quality to high, as it's pretty blurry by default.
Anyway, I think that what he said was pretty despicable... I mean, I can't really think of any circumstances where it could be justified. But I would like to point out two things:

#1. The TMZ is a tabloid and this is their "exclusive." While grossly unlikely, it's possible this was a plant and they somehow staged this, maybe knowing Richards was allegedly a racist, and so they sent a couple black guys in to heckle him, so they could get the exclusive on video.

#2. With regard to the previous point, the actual heckling of the black gentlemen isn't shown. I think it should be, obviously, to get the full story (though, obviously, it's sort of inconceivable that there could be any kind of justification for his reaction).

#3. The black gentlemen there responded to his racial epithets with racial epithets of their own: "f***ing cracker-ass motherf****r," and "f***ing white boy." That's no better, in my opinion.

I really think that the n-word should be changed, so that it doesn't have the meaning that it does. The taboo about saying it, white people should be able to say it and so long as they don't mean it in a racist fashion, you know?

Pretty shocking, though.

Moracca · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 2821 Location: ar-Raba, KOM

His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

callous · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 14756 Location: In The Open

ooooff, someone had a few too many drinkypoos

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

No comment from Richards yet, but CNN claimed to have heard that he's sorry. Typical celeb B.S., just like Mel Gibson. He'll give a public apology and maybe go to rehab, but really, does anybody REALLY believe anything's changed?

Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.
Heh. Can't argue with that. Btw, you were missed. There was a thread in the Lounge not too long ago, asking, "Where is Moracca?!"

Chymical · Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:33 pm Post subject:

Nothing racist there at all, just obnoxiousness.

you don't gotta be black to be a **** these days ;)

Ask Chris Rock all about it.

Moracca · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 2821 Location: ar-Raba, KOM

Nathyn wrote: No comment from Richards yet, but CNN claimed to have heard that he's sorry. Typical celeb B.S., just like Mel Gibson. He'll give a public apology and maybe go to rehab, but really, does anybody REALLY believe anything's changed?

Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.
Heh. Can't argue with that. Btw, you were missed. There was a thread in the Lounge not too long ago, asking, "Where is Moracca?!"

Not missed by you I saw. Doesn't matter though. It was a bit odd to be called a "government agent" by you though.

Rankor and Pissing · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 8453

Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

I think that happens all the time... very sad. Both ways are equally disgusting IMO.

SideTraKd · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 6126 Location: Indianapolis

Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

Moracca wrote: Nathyn wrote: No comment from Richards yet, but CNN claimed to have heard that he's sorry. Typical celeb B.S., just like Mel Gibson. He'll give a public apology and maybe go to rehab, but really, does anybody REALLY believe anything's changed?

Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.
Heh. Can't argue with that. Btw, you were missed. There was a thread in the Lounge not too long ago, asking, "Where is Moracca?!"

Not missed by you I saw. Doesn't matter though. It was a bit odd to be called a "government agent" by you though.
LOL.

Just paranoia. I'm not the first person to make sure claims on an online forum. :roll:

Revenant · Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 15540 Location: Bliss

WOW

......that guy in the audience totally called him on being a washed up loser. Hilarious.

SideTraKd · Joined: 19 Feb 2004 Posts: 6126 Location: Indianapolis

Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.

To be fair, I don't really think it's worth a mention in this case. They only responded in kind to Richard's racist attacks, unless, of course, the front end of the video (that we don't get to see) with their heckling has racial invective involved... which is entirely possible.

Brooklyn · Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 1031 Location: New York City

Kramer is much cooler than Richards could ever be. Kramer would have never made racial slurs.

JoeBen81 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 3947

Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.

callous · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 14756 Location: In The Open

JoeBen81 wrote: Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.

I've read about signs that Richards is a wee bit on the unstable side for years.

Probably just someone in a depression about not being in the limelight anymore.......

DSwain · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 3552

callous wrote: JoeBen81 wrote: Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.

I've read about signs that Richards is a wee bit on the unstable side for years.

Probably just someone in a depression about not being in the limelight anymore.......

Well, the man in your avatar - the great Peter Sellers - was a total a-hole to be around, but a great comic. Richards has had a career of which most performers can only dream and I think it's a shame that this is the note on which it ends (and end it will - he doesn't have the clout of Gibson to pull this one back). He wasn't being particularly racist, IMO, but he was rude, offensive and silly.

callous · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 14756 Location: In The Open

DSwain wrote: callous wrote: JoeBen81 wrote: Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.

I've read about signs that Richards is a wee bit on the unstable side for years.

Probably just someone in a depression about not being in the limelight anymore.......

Well, the man in your avatar - the great Peter Sellers - was a total a-hole to be around, but a great comic. Richards has had a career of which most performers can only dream and I think it's a shame that this is the note on which it ends (and end it will - he doesn't have the clout of Gibson to pull this one back). He wasn't being particularly racist, IMO, but he was rude, offensive and silly.

Have you seen the movie about him with geoffrey rush, amazing movie.

and yeah, comic genius it seems many times comes from an extremely dark personality....

Nathyn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 7246 Location: The Great Satan

JoeBen81 wrote: Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.
So if somebody calls me a cracker six times, should I be able to call them a n****r?

DSwain · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 3552

callous wrote: DSwain wrote: callous wrote: JoeBen81 wrote: Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.

I've read about signs that Richards is a wee bit on the unstable side for years.

Probably just someone in a depression about not being in the limelight anymore.......

Well, the man in your avatar - the great Peter Sellers - was a total a-hole to be around, but a great comic. Richards has had a career of which most performers can only dream and I think it's a shame that this is the note on which it ends (and end it will - he doesn't have the clout of Gibson to pull this one back). He wasn't being particularly racist, IMO, but he was rude, offensive and silly.

Have you seen the movie about him with geoffrey rush, amazing movie.

and yeah, comic genius it seems many times comes from an extremely dark personality....

I wasn't convinced about the movie being 'a good idea' before seeing it - though Rush convinced me, as you say - amazing movie.

I think Sellers - and to a lesser extent Richards in this incident - raise an interesting question: do you want a comic to be the best he can be and bugger the personality screw-ups or do you want him to be a fully rounded and normal person who's nice and understanding and whose comedy might suffer as a result?

JoeBen81 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 3947

Nathyn wrote: JoeBen81 wrote: Nathyn wrote: SideTraKd wrote: Moracca wrote: His career is over. But if he was a black man making fun of white people he'd be fine.

You're right, of course, but at least that would have been a part of their sketch routine... This was just an outburst that wasn't even meant to be funny.

This kind of racism is deplorable, from both sides. The thing that I find sad is that only one side will get condemned for it.
Yeah, I agree. And I'll add that I don't think most papers will mention the fact that they called him a cracker. TMZ didn't.
They called him a cracker only after he called them ni**ers at least 6 times. I used to like him, but now I know he's a fool.
So if somebody calls me a cracker six times, should I be able to call them a n****r?
In a perfect world or the one we live in?