Richards Facing Ruination Or Opportunity?

(CBS)  Some Hollywood types are predicting bluntly that comedian Michael Richards ruined his career Friday night when he lashed out with a string of racial slurs at two hecklers during a standup performance.

Monday night, the former "Seinfeld" star went on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and apologized, saying, "I'm really busted up over this, and I am very, very sorry to those people in the audience, the blacks, the Hispanics, whites, everyone that was there that took the brunt of that anger and hate and rage."

But is that apology enough to save Richards' career?

Media crisis expert Sally Stewart says probably not, but that doesn't mean Richards should give up.

"It certainly came across like he was, as he said, busted up about it," Stewart told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm Wednesday, "but it probably wasn't enough to satisfy the American people. … It was very good of him to apologize immediately and to go on the Letterman show, but, in actuality, the Letterman show is kind of a very friendly environment for a comedian. I think that, if I had been advising Michael Richards, I might have steered him more toward 60 Minutes or perhaps even a Black Entertainment Television.

"I think there's an opportunity here for him to increase his career, not ruin it, as a lot of other people in Hollywood think he has."

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Click here to see photos of Michael Richards

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Stewart added: "He's never going to get 100 percent of the people to embrace him, as he did years ago when he was the loveable Cosmo Kramer on 'Seinfeld' that we all know and love. But there is an opportunity here. That's always hard to remember in the middle of a crisis, but it can be an opportunity for him to build a new career, to open up a dialogue, to take a leadership position, and for America to have a very open discussion and think about the impact of words and prejudice."

She added that it "probably helps a lot" to have the likes of Jerry Seinfeld come to Richards' aid, as he did by making way for Richards during his appearance on Letterman.

It's good for Richards "even just emotionally … to know that he still has some very powerful friends who are going to stand behind him," Stewart suggested. "But it's really up to Michael Richards at this point to increase his opportunities in the future.

"He has a choice right now. He can either go down in history as the guy who said these awful, awful things and just fade away, and that's all that people will remember, or he has an opportunity to do something.

"He's been given a platform now."

One Comedy Club that my wife and I go to, throw hecklers out, at the first word.

I have watched comedy on late night TV, where comedians of race have thrown EVERY nasty slur in the book at their own people. This appears to be OK!!??

In my experience, it appears that many comedians make fun of peaple as part of their act, even to the point of harrassment, most people do not become offended and laugh along with everyone else.

Some Hollywood types need to shut up, and give Richards a break.

[mikealford3]

Re: Beaulen again

I have not made any accusations and generally don't unless I have reason. I simply call a spade a spade and am willing to stand up without fear of being deemed a racist. I have only responded to the accusations shown in this discussion regarding whites in general as racists and slavery being the responsibility of today's white people.

[mikealford3]

Re: Beaulen

As far as me bowing to others. Generally I have no problem bending to accept the views of others. However, I stiffen and my head becomes hard when blacks express entiltement and tell me that I owe them something based on the color of our skin. When someone says that I am a racist or the white race in general is racist, I do become firm as it appears you do as well.

I get along with people of all races very well. I am a volunteer coach at a middle school. Our football team has 30 black kids and 5 white kids. I get along well with all the kids and their parents very well. We have an understanding that I owe them nothing and they owe me nothing based on our skin color. I respect each young man and each parent equally until they deserve less. They give me the same respect back. I give the kids the best instruction that I can and they give hard work in return. We work TOGETHER to complete OUR goals.

I am confident that were we to meet on the street we would have a mutual respect for one another. It's just that here we both are strong about our opinions.

[mikealford3]

Re: Beaulen

I agree with you about Richards. He has never been funny to me either. My angst comes from the fact that he insulted 2 men, yet the entire nation of blacks feels he should apologize to entire race. That's my problem, he and the 2 he argued with should be able to work things out amoung themselves without the rest of the nation, blacks and whites getting involved.

YES, our country has a racist PAST. It is a PAST that I had nothing to do with. My point is that to say the whites of today owe the blacks of today because of something that happened over 100 years ago is wrong. I don't think we should forget what has happened however we do need to forgive and realize we are here together and move forward. My Point is that racism is not 1 sided. Racism in this country comes from whites and black alike.

[beaulen1]

I don't think Michael Richards is very funny, I think his career was over the day Seinfeld ended, though his tirade at the comedy club didn't help him at all.

[beaulen1]

RE: Mikealford3

"not willing to bow to accommodate"

Why do you bother talking to anyone then? Your way or the Highway, either For Us or Against Us. I can't imagine that gets you very far when you run up against people that won't be bullied by your accusations.

My point wasn't to encourage your to bow to anyone or anything. My point was to make sure that it was pointed out in this thread that our country has a racist past. Your arguments, even if true which is dubious at this point, seemed to support my point. You didn't give examples of less racism, you added examples of More racism.

Go, be proud! Just know that your white skin gives you advantages over those with black skin in our society. It's you that get entitlements because of the color of your skin, whether you want them or not.

[mikealford3]

Re: beaulen

No, I do not need anything from you spoon fed to me. However it appears that you prefer to have things spoon fed and given to you. The Tenn. Caucus is affilliated with the national caucus. The information about the KKK came from the article. Your quote from the CBC proves the agenda is to advance blacks. Quote, "The mission and objective of the CBC and our Agenda CONTINUES to be improving the condition of African-American people". That mission statement is racist. To say that improving the conditions for blacks to improve everyone is a CYA statement.

Fact remains there is no other Congressional group that is racist in it's mission such as the CBC.

We will not ever agree because I am proud to be white and am not willing to bow to accommodate someone who feels entitled because of the color of their skin.

To say that whites are indebted to blacks for slavery is like me saying that blacks owe whites for the boat ride over from Africa and for the room and board for housing. It's simply not right. Neither is right.

[tank611]

Firstly,they should not allow heckling at comedy clubs.

Secondly. Black people who are offended by the word '***' are HYPOCRITES.

[beaulen1]

RE: Black Caucus part II

Here's a quote from the Black Caucus web site:

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The mission and objective of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and our Agenda for the 109th Congress continues to be improving the condition of African-American people. However, the CBC has never sought to limit the benefits of its endeavors to African-Americans. Indeed, the members of the CBC firmly believe that the priorities outlined in this Agenda will benefit all Americans and will make our country better for all people. We invite all Americans to join us in the quest to remove disparities and barriers that increase the burden or make it impossible for individuals to achieve their full potential. African-Americans will be better for it and America will be better for it, too.
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Doesn't sound so bad to me!

[beaulen1]

RE: The_Mirror

My response has no substance, really?

You stated that the US was based upon documents that promoted equality, am I right? I pulled a quote from the Declaration of Independence which clearly illustrates that this is not true. If this sounds like babbling to you then I'm not sure there's any point in trying to have any sort of discussion with you.