DISQUS

Jack and Jill Politics: "Kramer" Launches into Racial Tirade During Comedy Set

  • Tosha · 3 years ago
    How disgusting and how sad. You know what I think needs mentioning though is the fact that the Laugh Factory allowed him to perform again the following night, which is absolutely unacceptable in my opinion.
  • Jack Turner · 3 years ago
    I'm with you. Here's another article from the mainstream press about it. Some color commentary from Latino comedians but where are the black comics at? I disagree w George Lopez that this is about lack of experience as a standup comic though.


    http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=242527>1;=7703
  • JL Glass · 3 years ago
    Hey,


    I enjoy reading a few blogs every day and today was your day. Interesting take on things are always found in every blog. I'm always researching to find out what the world is thinking. Good stuff and very thought provoking as well.



    Keep it up.



    JL glass

    www.jlglass.com

    Minneapolis, MN
  • Anonymous · 3 years ago
    I can't remember, was Kramer supposed to be a friend of the black man? Is that why we're all acting so shocked about this?


    I'm not. I think we often forget that white supremacy still exists in many forms. Sometimes it's the guy with the white hood over his head and sometimes its a failed comedian, like this clown. Looks can be deceiving, so why give them the bene of the doubt and expect them to know better?



    Just because a person doesn't resort to that type of public behavior doesn't mean they don't want to. Michael did it because he obviously wanted to and because he thought that in 2006 people would still find that funny. I'm so glad (pleasantly surprised actually) that the audience called his bluff.
  • Jill Tubman · 3 years ago
    Watched Kramer's apology just now. OK, if you go and say a bunch of racist stuff, don't tell me that you're not racist. We can all see and here that you are racist. It's a non-starter.


    Instead, do the Mel Gibson "I have a substance abuse problem" round. Gibson has been given a bit of a break just because he has groveled for forgiveness and has also admitted that he has a drinking problem, which implies that the alcohol was doing some of the talking that night.



    Clearly, Richards' Letterman disjointed appearance leads me to believe that he too may be suffering from some sort of alcohol or drug problem. It's sad though because I used to be a fan. Now, not so much. That level of hate and failure to take full responsibility says something very frightening about him.
  • African American Political Pun · 3 years ago
    Jill, Black folks and our Native American brothers ands sisters have experienced white folks drunken antics for years. They still act out when they are drinking alcohol and tell their true feelings. They got drunk when they would rape, murder and scalp our Native American brothers and sisters, while hanging black men and women. This did not only happen in the south. It happened all around America. Check out the 1943 Detroit race riots


    http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=185&category;=events



    Let us not forget the The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921



    http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/hpolscrv/VdeLaOliva.html



    Or the The Wounded Knee Massacre - December 1890



    http://www.lastoftheindependents.com/wounded.htm





    Black folks should not be surprised about some of the racist comments coming from many Jewish mouths, or other American mouths for that matter.



    Our Jewish cousins, have been playing a trick on Black folks since the days of M.L. King marches. On one hand saying they are with us, while Jewish lawmakers merchants, and the government of Israel stabbed us in our back.



    Remember, The Israeli government supported American racial segregation and supported secret South African nuclear weapons programs, under P.W. Botha (who sympathized with the German Nazi Party) which culminated in the production of six nuclear bombs in the 1980's for the racially segregated apartheid system.



    It's unfortunate that our Jewish cousins can't get it together. They, of all people should understand the need for tolerance. But look at the Israeli government and the American Jewish acceptance of Jewish arpathied system against the palestinians. Are we really suprised about Kramer?
  • Anonymous · 3 years ago
    At least we know where he stands, and can make decisions accordingly. His apology isn't worth the breath used to say it. Went way beyond 'the n word'. Way beyond.


    And, thank goodness for modern technology. Without it,you know this would have been swept under the rug, and shilled as something 'not as serious'.



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  • African American Political Pun · 3 years ago
    Update:


    Source: jewishjournal.com



    Michael Richards is not a Jew.



    As Cosmo Kramer in "Seinfeld," Richards played one on TV. But he himself is not Jewish -- not that there's anything wrong with that.



    Richards lashed out a heckler at the Laugh Factory last Friday, spitting out the "N" word without humor and with abandon. Audience members booed, several walked out, then Richards himself walked off stage.



    The incident was caught on a cellphone camera and posted at the TMZ.com Web site, where it ignited a firestorm of criticism against Richards. Richards apologized on "The Late Show With David Letterman" Monday night. "I was at a comedy club trying to do my act, and I got heckled, and I took it badly and went into a rage," he said. "For me to be in a comedy club and flip out and say this crap, I'm deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this."



    In the meantime, fellow comedians have been quick to criticize Richards -- and misrepresent his religious background. Comedian Paul Rodriquez held a press conference at the Laugh Factory, saying that Richards should know better, because the Hollywood community defended Jews against actor Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic tirades.



    The implication was that Richards, a Jew, should not be launching racist attacks. He shouldn't, but he also isn't Jewish.



    "Someone needs to tell Rodriquez that Michael isn't a Jew," said a television director who has known Richards for years. The two worked together in 1980 on ABC's "Fridays" television show and have remained in touch ever since. The show was Richards' first big break after a long and unlikely rise to stardom.



    According to Wikipedia, Richards was born in Culver City to William Richards, an electrical engineer, and Phyllis (nee Nardozzi), a medical records librarian. "Richards attended California Institute of the Arts but received a bachelor's degree in drama from Evergreen State College in 1975.



    "He was drafted during the Vietnam War and stationed in Germany, as one of the co-directors of the V Corps Training Road Show. He produced and directed shows dealing with race relations and drug abuse; 'This was a successful, educational operation, boosting the morale of our men and incorporating the arts into the service."



    He then spent two years in the Army developing educational skits and a couple more years "finding himself" at a commune in the Santa Clara Mountains. He drove a bus and developed a stand-up comedy act in 1979, according to the Web site. In "Seinfeld," which aired from 1989-1998, Richards played Kramer, a character based on show co-creator Larry David's former across-the-hall neighbor, Kenny Kramer. The real Kramer is indeed of Jewish heritage -- not that there's anything wrong with that.



    Richards did appear in October at the Laugh Factory's evening of Jewish comics, called, "The King Davids of Comedy." However, the management made it clear at the time that Richards and the other major comic at the event, Louis CK, were not part of that evening's themed show, and that no photography would be permitted during their sets.



    Following Richard's racist remarks, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada posted this message on the company's Web site: "We do not support or condone the inappropriate, hurtful and offensive comments that Mr. Richards made on Friday night at the Laugh Factory.



    "Mr. Richards was scheduled to appear on Saturday night and had informed management of his intention to apologize for his hurtful and unprofessional outburst from the previous night. He failed to do so and disappointed us.



    "We have made it clear that Mr. Richards is no longer welcomed here. The Laugh Factory is a comedy club not a forum for personal attacks." Laugh Factory owner Masada is Jewish.
  • Jack Turner · 3 years ago
    Now THAT's what I'm talkin bout. A commenter who fact checks himself!! AAPP, you're the hotness. Thanks for the educational update.
  • 36" · 3 years ago
    uh, yeah... that was the most hateful, vitriolic thing i've ever heard said in public in my lifetime. that was indeed uncalled for. but i say that there's a difference between referring to lynching, or implicitly advocating it, as Richards was doing, and actually smiling for the camera in front of the burning corpse of a murdered, tortured black victim. nobody really knows for sure if Richards is the kind of man who would do that. he might me. i don't know.


    aren't we all souls seeking peace, even in our own day? don't we all want to make a better life for ourselves? don't we all want to avoid suffering and be happy?



    who knows what i once was? nobody, not even me. i don't know if i am more than what i see in the mirror or less. i could have been anybody in a previous lifetime: e.g., i could have once been a cruel mongol soldier who poured molten silver into his enemy's ear.



    but whatever i was, whatever i am, i hope that i am moving in the direction towards compassion, and away from suffering. i think everyone wants that deep down, even Mr. Richards.



    anyone who is at peace should know, hopefully from verbal communication and not from experience, that judging someone on a single narrow, dimension just doesn't cut it; all things and events are dependently originated. it's hard to understand, and never simple.



    "kramer" was unethical at the Laugh Factory. fortunately, modern people in general seem to be taking baby steps in a direction of tolerance and understanding, and "kramer" has those people to fall back on, because the only way he can learn not to be racist now is by people in general forgiving him for being one.



    peace.