Lawsuit now coming against Michael Richards - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-22-2006, 11:28 PM

LOS ANGELES - The controversy surrounding Michael Richards’ racist rant continues to swirl.

On Wednesday, Access Hollywood learned the former “Seinfeld” star reached out to civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in another attempt to apologize for his behavior.

However, the targets of his rage — Kyle Doss and Frank McBride — have also reached out to someone — tenacious lawyer Gloria Allred.

Access Hollywood’s Tim Vincent sat down with Doss and McBride to find out why.

“I’m not trying to make this a black and white thing,” Doss told Tim. “I have lots of mixed friends. It’s a people thing.”

Doss and McBride were both part of a mixed group of friends at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood when they walked in late and were hurt by Richards’ shocking racial rant, which was all captured on videotape.

“I just told him ‘Hey, my friend doesn’t think you’re funny’ and after that happened, he turned around and looked at me and flipped me off and told me ‘F-you n-word,’” Doss said.

“He threw out racial slurs repeatedly. There was nothing professional about his act at all,” McBride told Access.

“He was saying when he wakes up he’ll still be rich and when I wake up I’m still going to be an n-word,” Doss added.

On Tuesday, Richards appeared on David Letterman to apologize for his remarks.

“He’s apologized. Shouldn’t that really be the end of it?” Tim asked the men.

“No, I think that apology was totally fake, it was forced. I feel like that was a career move. It wasn’t sincere,” Doss contends.

“What do you want to get out of this situation?” Tim asked.

“To be compensated for what happened,” Doss replied.

Our interview with Doss and McBride was granted on one condition — that we also interview their high-profile attorney, Gloria Allred.

Allred is no stranger to controversy having taken on Michael Jackson, O.J. Simpson and Scott Peterson, just to name a few.

“It is not enough to go on television and say ‘I’m sorry,’” Allred said. “We are issuing a challenge to Michael Richards.”

That challenge would require Richards to meet face-to-face with Doss and McBride in front of a judge. So far, no lawsuit has been filed.

“We want the retired judge to make a recommendation on how much Michael Richards should pay to compensate our clients,” added Allred.

And if Richards refuses?

“Then he will have to bear the consequences of whatever comes next,” she said.

Meanwhile, many of Richards’ fellow comedians have already sounded off on the incident.

Comic Paul Rodriguez, who was at the club, said he thought Richards’ remarks crossed the line.

“Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don’t happen to be African-American, then you have a whole lot of explaining,” he said. “Freedom of speech has its limitations and I think Michael Richards found those limitations.”

Access Hollywood spoke with Jamie Foxx at the American Music Awards to get his take on the incident.

The Oscar-winner said Richards was way out of line and Foxx is taking the side of the hecklers.

“I’m a stand-up comic to the core. But if I am going through something, release it on the stage. But don’t dump on nobody and especially not on black people because I don’t know what kind of black folks those was, but if it would have been me and my sister and my crew, they’d still be filming right now,” Foxx said.

TJL · 11-22-2006, 11:36 PM

Why am I not surprised.

Brian Damage · 11-22-2006, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Why am I not surprised.

I am sure those two guys were not offended, but rather hearing "Cha Ching" sounds in their heads.

Ireneparalegal · 11-23-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I am sure those two guys were not offended, but rather hearing "Cha Ching" sounds in their heads.

Yep.

platinumblondelife · 11-23-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I am sure those two guys were not offended, but rather hearing "Cha Ching" sounds in their heads.

It was expected, but they have every right to file a lawsuit; what he did was verbally abusive. No amount of money really could make up for what he said, but really it's the least he could do imo. And just because they're filing a lawsuit doesnt mean they were not offended, why wouldnt they be? That's the reason they're filing the lawsuit...

Brian Damage · 11-23-2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by platinumblondelife

It was expected, but they have every right to file a lawsuit; what he did was verbally abusive. No amount of money really could make up for what he said, but really it's the least he could do imo. And just because they're filing a lawsuit doesnt mean they were not offended, why wouldnt they be? That's the reason they're filing the lawsuit...

The reality is, money. Try to get something out of it, which is bull****. They aren't physically injured, they weren't punched or kicked. It is a frivilous lawsuit.

kramer · 11-23-2006, 12:37 AM

Micheal Richards is an idiot and deserves most of what he is getting. BUT I don't see why this should be a lawsuit. This is where the freedom of speech comes in. Although Richards has the right to say any dip s**t thing he wants, and people can reply to him with all the words they want, he should not be sued for speaking his racist mind. I will say it again before anyone calls me racist Richards is a backwards racist and I do not agree with anything he said. I do understand you don't have the right to say fire in a crowed theater because it could cause somebody to get trampled. The men are pissed, as they should be, but they were not physically harmed.

Mr. Television · 11-23-2006, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The reality is, money. Try to get something out of it, which is bull****. They aren't physically injured, they weren't punched or kicked. It is a frivilous lawsuit.

I totally agree. A lawsuit for getting offended. I guess that's the American way anymore.

hno:

platinumblondelife · 11-23-2006, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The reality is, money. Try to get something out of it, which is bull****. They aren't physically injured, they weren't punched or kicked. It is a frivilous lawsuit.

Physical injury is not the only type of harrassment that warrants a lawsuit. At the time they were getting told they were nothing but ******s who should get a fork stuck in them and lynched, yup, I'm pretty sure they werent offended and were only thinking about money...

Brian Damage · 11-23-2006, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by platinumblondelife

Physical injury is not the only type of harrassment that warrants a lawsuit. At the time they were getting told they were nothing but ******s who should get a fork stuck in them and lynched, yup, I'm pretty sure they werent offended and were only thinking about money...

Did they go to a hospital? Do they need intense physical therapy? Do they need any kind of medical attention whatsoever? They may have been embarrassed at first, but dollar signs are all they are thinking about now. Last I checked, embarassment isn't grounds for a lawsuit.

platinumblondelife · 11-23-2006, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Did they go to a hospital? Do they need intense physical therapy? Do they need any kind of medical attention whatsoever? They may have been embarrassed at first, but dollar signs are all they are thinking about now. Last I checked, embarassment isn't grounds for a lawsuit.

Maybe I need to say it again: physical injury is not the only abuse that can happen, nor is it the only kind of abuse that warrants a lawsuit. Not only did he call them a ****** a bunch of times, but he threatened them as well. Go back and watch the video yourself. He was violently talking about sticking a fork in them and lynching/hanging them, which is verbal abuse no matter who you are, and especially since it's a common event against people of your heritage in recent history. I doubt you're black and know what it's like to be called that, but I have been in the presence where it was hurled at a family that I use to stay with a lot when I was a lot younger...it's not the sort of thing that most black people just shrug off when you consider the history of it, especially said in that way. Its not the same as if he were calling them bald or fat. Fat people can change being fat, and there's no history of killing/chopping off of body-parts, and discrimination against fat people. They have every right to sue him, and they probably will need some sort of psychological counseling after having such violent words and threats thrown at them.

Brian Damage · 11-23-2006, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by platinumblondelife

They have every right to sue him, and they probably will need some sort of psychological counseling after having such violent words and threats thrown at them.

That's funny. Seriously though, if a comedian called me a spic, and threatened me, I am a grown ass man and can handle myself. I might be initially offended, but frivilous lawsuits like this are for punks.

platinumblondelife · 11-23-2006, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

That's funny. Seriously though, if a comedian called me a spic, and threatened me, I am a grown ass man and can handle myself. I might be initially offended, but frivilous lawsuits like this are for punks.

Spic doesnt have the same history as the word ******. Look at that, it's not even censored, dont you wonder why. And if someone at a comedy club is doing stand up and singles you out and calls you a spic and makes threats of wanting to lynching you, I find you sitting there and taking it sort of sad...but I guess not surprising....

friendsfan77 · 11-23-2006, 07:32 AM

I agree wholeheartedly that Richards was WAY out of line with using the N word; there's simply no excuse for ANYONE to be using that word. Period. As a black man, I havent been able to forgive the man for what he's done. But IMO there's just no need for a freaking lawsuit... I hope they get nothing from this.

TJL · 11-23-2006, 08:09 AM

I wonder if some no name comic who is making a few bucks a show (and not multi millionaire Michael Richards) went off on these hecklers and called them the N word, would these guys sue?

11-22-2006, 11:28 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Lawsuit now coming against Michael Richards LOS ANGELES - The controversy surrounding Michael Richards’ racist rant continues to swirl. On Wednesday, Access Hollywood learned the former “Seinfeld” star reached out to civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in another attempt to apologize for his behavior. However, the targets of his rage — Kyle Doss and Frank McBride — have also reached out to someone — tenacious lawyer Gloria Allred. Access Hollywood’s Tim Vincent sat down with Doss and McBride to find out why. “I’m not trying to make this a black and white thing,” Doss told Tim. “I have lots of mixed friends. It’s a people thing.” Doss and McBride were both part of a mixed group of friends at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood when they walked in late and were hurt by Richards’ shocking racial rant, which was all captured on videotape. “I just told him ‘Hey, my friend doesn’t think you’re funny’ and after that happened, he turned around and looked at me and flipped me off and told me ‘F-you n-word,’” Doss said. “He threw out racial slurs repeatedly. There was nothing professional about his act at all,” McBride told Access. “He was saying when he wakes up he’ll still be rich and when I wake up I’m still going to be an n-word,” Doss added. On Tuesday, Richards appeared on David Letterman to apologize for his remarks. “He’s apologized. Shouldn’t that really be the end of it?” Tim asked the men. “No, I think that apology was totally fake, it was forced. I feel like that was a career move. It wasn’t sincere,” Doss contends. “What do you want to get out of this situation?” Tim asked. “To be compensated for what happened,” Doss replied. Our interview with Doss and McBride was granted on one condition — that we also interview their high-profile attorney, Gloria Allred. Allred is no stranger to controversy having taken on Michael Jackson, O.J. Simpson and Scott Peterson, just to name a few. “It is not enough to go on television and say ‘I’m sorry,’” Allred said. “We are issuing a challenge to Michael Richards.” That challenge would require Richards to meet face-to-face with Doss and McBride in front of a judge. So far, no lawsuit has been filed. “We want the retired judge to make a recommendation on how much Michael Richards should pay to compensate our clients,” added Allred. And if Richards refuses? “Then he will have to bear the consequences of whatever comes next,” she said. Meanwhile, many of Richards’ fellow comedians have already sounded off on the incident. Comic Paul Rodriguez, who was at the club, said he thought Richards’ remarks crossed the line. “Once the word comes out of your mouth and you don’t happen to be African-American, then you have a whole lot of explaining,” he said. “Freedom of speech has its limitations and I think Michael Richards found those limitations.” Access Hollywood spoke with Jamie Foxx at the American Music Awards to get his take on the incident. The Oscar-winner said Richards was way out of line and Foxx is taking the side of the hecklers. “I’m a stand-up comic to the core. But if I am going through something, release it on the stage. But don’t dump on nobody and especially not on black people because I don’t know what kind of black folks those was, but if it would have been me and my sister and my crew, they’d still be filming right now,” Foxx said.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

11-22-2006, 11:36 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Why am I not surprised.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

11-23-2006, 12:37 AM	#7
kramer Re-gifter Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 15, 2003 Posts: 255	Micheal Richards is an idiot and deserves most of what he is getting. BUT I don't see why this should be a lawsuit. This is where the freedom of speech comes in. Although Richards has the right to say any dip s**t thing he wants, and people can reply to him with all the words they want, he should not be sued for speaking his racist mind. I will say it again before anyone calls me racist Richards is a backwards racist and I do not agree with anything he said. I do understand you don't have the right to say fire in a crowed theater because it could cause somebody to get trampled. The men are pissed, as they should be, but they were not physically harmed.
	__________________ Man: Is this going to be in competent hands? Curly: Certainly! We're all incompetent

11-23-2006, 07:32 AM	#14
friendsfan77 - Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 02, 2004 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 3,165	I agree wholeheartedly that Richards was WAY out of line with using the N word; there's simply no excuse for ANYONE to be using that word. Period. As a black man, I havent been able to forgive the man for what he's done. But IMO there's just no need for a freaking lawsuit... I hope they get nothing from this.

11-23-2006, 08:09 AM	#15
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I wonder if some no name comic who is making a few bucks a show (and not multi millionaire Michael Richards) went off on these hecklers and called them the N word, would these guys sue?