Michael Richards

[Mutagen]

What is it with comics? Why do they always end up being such hateful assholes? If they're not complete miserable pieces of crap (Jerry Lewis, Bill Cosby) they're self-destructive sad sacks (Richard Pryor). Are there any normal human being comics?

Will Ferrell? I've probably just called down the jinx, though. Soon we'll find him yelling "GET OFF THE SHED!" in Osama bin Laden's next video.

But seriously, look at Jerry Seinfeld's movie Comedian. Seinfeld had the balls to scrap all of his old jokes and go on the road with entirely new material. Michael Richards... starts throwing n-bombs around. WTG, asshole.

Of course, Jerry had his own set of problems, which brings us right back around to the question about screwed-up comics...

[kostgard]

Yeah, there is that thing about all comics being screwed up and the funny comes from pain, but...damn, Kramer. There's "messed up" and then there's "racist jerk." Did he actually go on about what he could do to those guys 50 years ago? Like he longs for the days of lynchings and hangings?

I mean, some comics are spectacularly unfunny off stage and way too angry/screwed up, but that behavior is just true ugliness.

ETA:

Will Ferrell? I've probably just called down the jinx, though. Soon we'll find him yelling "GET OFF THE SHED!" in Osama bin Laden's next video.

Heh. I'm probably really calling down the jinx by agreeing with you. Ferrell seems relatively normal and I haven't heard stories about him being a jerk. I imagine that Conan O'Brien operates on a pretty even keel as well (but I haven't heard anything one way or another). But even if these two are secretly jerks, that's still a long ways from using the n-word.

[Deleted]

Excuses, excuses, excuses:

Seinfeld issued a statement saying he was "sick over this."

"I'm sure Michael is also sick over this horrible, horrible mistake. It is so extremely offensive. I feel terrible for all the people who have been hurt," Seinfeld said.

Um. Stepping on my cat's tail because I didn't know he was behind me is a MISTAKE. Calling someone the n-word is DELIBERATE.

Comedian George Lopez told Los Angeles television station KTLA that he thought Richards' lack of stand-up experience may have been a factor.

"The question is you have an actor who is trying to be a comedian who doesn't know what to do when an audience is disruptive," Lopez said. "He's an actor whose show has been off the air, he shouldn't ever be on a stand-up gig.

Huh?

[underjoyed]

littleediebeale said:

Comedian George Lopez told Los Angeles television station KTLA that he thought Richards' lack of stand-up experience may have been a factor.

And here I was assuming that the fact that he's a racist might have been a factor. I mean, for God's sake...I have no experience as a pilot, and if I were to be put in charge of flying a 747, I would inevitably crash it and kill everyone on board. But I wouldn't go down screaming the 'n' word.

[Mutagen]

But even if these two are secretly jerks, that's still a long ways from using the n-word.

Oh, absolutely. N-word trumps Shoshanna hands down.

"The question is you have an actor who is trying to be a comedian who doesn't know what to do when an audience is disruptive," Lopez said. "He's an actor whose show has been off the air, he shouldn't ever be on a stand-up gig.

Thanks for the non sequitur, George.

[Deleted]

What is it with comics? Why do they always end up being such hateful assholes? If they're not complete miserable pieces of crap (Jerry Lewis, Bill Cosby) they're self-destructive sad sacks (Richard Pryor). Are there any normal human being comics?

And an example that proves the case, Dane Cook seems to be a pretty happy person in addition to being painfully unfunny.

[Binky]

I know when I am in a situation I am ill-prepared for and somebody harasses me, I immediately begin screaming racial slurs. Doesn't everyone? Seinfeld - don't say anything else. I kind of like you. Don't defend him.

It's not just the N-word - it's probably the default racial slur. But the allusion to lynching is what puts it over the top for me - that requires some serious anger, hatred, and internal reasoning (or lack thereof).

[bedhead]

While I don't share his politics, I think Dennis Miller is pretty decent in person. When I was in college he came into the movie theatre where I worked. He was nice, seemed down to earth.

I'm at a loss re Richards. Just vile really. And it's also taints the Kramer character now.

[kostgard]

And here I was assuming that the fact that he's a racist might have been a factor. I mean, for God's sake...I have no experience as a pilot, and if I were to be put in charge of flying a 747, I would inevitably crash it and kill everyone on board. But I wouldn't go down screaming the 'n' word.

Very good point (Hear that, Kramer and Mel Gibson?!). Although I must admit I'm going straight to hell because while reading this I totally imaged a pilot in a crashing plane yelling, "Oh, no! I have no control over the plane! We're gonna crash!! I haaaate blaaack peeeeooople..."

But seriously - when you feel threatened or are in a crisis, you usually revert to your lowest level. And now we know just how low that level is for Michael Richards.

[Deleted]

He refused to comment on-camera when reached by CNN, but the network reported that he said off-camera he felt sorry for what had happened and had made amends.

If he'd truly "made amends" we'd already have heard an admission of wrongdoing, a heartfelt apology and serious penance for racist assholery in the first degree.