Michael Richards Apologizes, Hires Crisis Expert - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 11-22-2006, 11:58 PM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20061123/D8LIGOSO0.html

Richards Apologizes, Hires Crisis Expert

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Michael Richards is doing damage control. In the aftermath of his racist tirade against two black hecklers during a standup comedy routine, Richards on Wednesday hired a publicist with strong ties to the black community who set up calls to the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

New York publicist Howard Rubenstein took on Richards as a client, then arranged for the actor to call the black leaders.

"Michael apologized profusely," Rubenstein said. "He wants to heal the tremendous wound that he's inflicted on the American public, and on the African-American community. ... I think it was a positive discussion."

Jackson said Richards called "expressing his remorse and his confusion."

"He's embarrassed. He got caught on tape. That's a big part of his anxiety now," said Jackson.

"Clearly he needs some race sensibility training, and some psychiatric help. His anger is volatile and dangerous to himself and others," Jackson said. "I hope he gets the help he needs. But the culture that's producing this kind of animosity toward blacks must be addressed. ... We're increasingly facing cultural isolation in Hollywood, in the movies and in TV."

Calls to Sharpton's home and to his National Action Network on Wednesday were not immediately returned.

Richards, who played kooky neighbor Kramer on "Seinfeld," lashed out at the hecklers last week during a performance at West Hollywood's Laugh Factory. A video of his rant then appeared on TMZ.com.

The video shows him calling one of the hecklers a racial epithet, and repeating it over and over again.

In a subsequent satellite appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman," Richards said his tirade was fueled by anger, not bigotry.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said in a statement Wednesday that Richards' comments and anti-Semitic ones by Mel Gibson this year point to a trend in American culture, and that Richards' declaration "is indicative of the type of denial that too often accompanies racist rhetoric."

Rubenstein, whose media relations firm specializes in "crisis management," according to its Web site, said he had never met or spoken to Richards before the actor called him.

"He convinced me that he was sincere in his repentance and would do what's right," Rubenstein said.

"I've been very involved in the African-American community for 25 to 30 years," Rubenstein continued. "It would be a tragedy if this exacerbated our race relations. I hope I can help. ... It's always been an effort on my part to improve African-American and Jewish ethnic relations."

As for reports that Richards shouted out anti-Semitic remarks during another standup comedy routine in April, Rubenstein confirmed that Richards did, but that he was only role-playing.

"He's Jewish. He's not anti-Semitic at all. He was role-playing, he was playing a part. He did use inappropriate language, but he doesn't have any anti-Semitic feelings whatsoever," Rubenstein said. "Michael says that he has a very hot temper, and that he says inappropriate things from time to time. Yes, there's no excuse for that."

Ireneparalegal · 11-23-2006, 12:08 AM

Too late Richards...

Brian Damage · 11-23-2006, 12:23 AM

Man, does he ever know he F'd up! lol

ABlairican Pie · 11-23-2006, 01:23 AM

I don't want to see his career like this. I'm sure, like Mel Gibson, that it would take a long time to make amends to persons of color. It seems like the worst thing in the world to say, "I won't forgive you for what you said," and "If you were sorry, you wouldn't have said it". I don't think making racial slurs is the Unpardonable Sin if a person sincerely is sorry.

Lamont · 11-23-2006, 07:32 AM

i think its insane how much we focus on the N word today

so many hollywood legends had racist views---- but we didnt make a big deal of it until recently

i dont like it, but if they have opinions i think are wrong, that does not make them bad actors

i recall in the early 90s when marlon brando was on tv and said how the Jews controlled hollywood and you would never see jewish stereotypes and went on and on---- it was big news for like 1 day and then nothing and he went on with his life---- did i agree? no, but it wasnt like he was a murderer or something

this whole world has gotten wayyyyyy too PC

TJL · 11-23-2006, 08:20 AM

Probably the best thing Richards can do right now is disappear for a while. He said his apologies, now he should lay low.

And probably stay out of the comedy clubs. It's obvious the standup thing isn't working.

Lamont · 11-23-2006, 08:22 AM

well it appears to me that he is NOT a racist
he just thought it would be funny and shocking--- which it wasnt

i hate that because he made a bad judgement call he has to undergo "treatment" in order to play nice with the media

he apologized, we all know he aint racist
so why is this still an issue?

americans just have too much time on their hands i guess
and too much tv

TVFactFan · 11-23-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamont

well it appears to me that he is NOT a racist
he just thought it would be funny and shocking--- which it wasnt

i hate that because he made a bad judgement call he has to undergo "treatment" in order to play nice with the media

he apologized, we all know he aint racist
so why is this still an issue?

americans just have too much time on their hands i guess
and too much tv

He is racist and I think he has the right to be racist so I wish the media stop talking about it. If he wants to be racist then that's him, no one can be forced to like a certain race. All of this coverage is crazy. Like Mcnabb of the Eagles saud 3 years ago when Rush apologized, "It's no POINT OF APOLOGIZIN if that's how you really feel" apologize for what?

ABlairican Pie · 11-23-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

He is racist and I think he has the right to be racist so I wish the media stop talking about it. If he wants to be racist then that's him, no one can be forced to like a certain race. All of this coverage is crazy. Like Mcnabb of the Eagles saud 3 years ago when Rush apologized, "It's no POINT OF APOLOGIZIN if that's how you really feel" apologize for what?

Which member of Rush was that, Alex, Geddy, or Neil? And what were they apologizing for? All that I can recall is that Rush were about to do their 30th Anniversary tour then, but had no beef with The Eagles.

TVFactFan · 11-23-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Which member of Rush was that, Alex, Geddy, or Neil? And what were they apologizing for? All that I can recall is that Rush were about to do their 30th Anniversary tour then, but had no beef with The Eagles.

In 2003, Rush Limbaugh said that the Media tries to make Black quaterbacks better than they really are and he said that was the case with Donovan Mcnabb of the eagles

ABlairican Pie · 11-23-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

In 2003, Rush Limbaugh said that the Media tries to make Black quaterbacks better than they really are and he said that was the case with Donovan Mcnabb of the eagles

That's who I really thought you were talking about, I think I remember Rush Lintball saying that, and that there was a big deal about that.

TVFactFan · 11-23-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

That's who I really thought you were talking about, I think I remember Rush Lintball saying that, and that there was a big deal about that.

Mcnabb had no choice but to lead the Eagles to a winning record that season because when Rush made the comment, the Eagles were 0-2

James"Thunder"Early · 11-23-2006, 12:20 PM

He's just making a bigger fool of himself, why doesn't he just let it go?

felicitylen · 11-23-2006, 01:47 PM

I guess he thought hiring an expert will make things better. The damage has been done.

Lamont · 11-23-2006, 05:30 PM

he is NOT racist

if u read the articles
he made similar attacks against jews in a stand up routine a few weeks ago
he lashed out against jewish hecklers with racial insults too

since he IS A JEW himself, it is OBVIOUS he doesnt hate jews and since he did the same thing a few weeks later against blacks, you can see a CLEAR pattern here, that it is part of some odd routine that got out of hand

11-22-2006, 11:58 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Michael Richards Apologizes, Hires Crisis Expert http://apnews.excite.com/article/20061123/D8LIGOSO0.html Richards Apologizes, Hires Crisis Expert LOS ANGELES (AP) - Michael Richards is doing damage control. In the aftermath of his racist tirade against two black hecklers during a standup comedy routine, Richards on Wednesday hired a publicist with strong ties to the black community who set up calls to the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. New York publicist Howard Rubenstein took on Richards as a client, then arranged for the actor to call the black leaders. "Michael apologized profusely," Rubenstein said. "He wants to heal the tremendous wound that he's inflicted on the American public, and on the African-American community. ... I think it was a positive discussion." Jackson said Richards called "expressing his remorse and his confusion." "He's embarrassed. He got caught on tape. That's a big part of his anxiety now," said Jackson. "Clearly he needs some race sensibility training, and some psychiatric help. His anger is volatile and dangerous to himself and others," Jackson said. "I hope he gets the help he needs. But the culture that's producing this kind of animosity toward blacks must be addressed. ... We're increasingly facing cultural isolation in Hollywood, in the movies and in TV." Calls to Sharpton's home and to his National Action Network on Wednesday were not immediately returned. Richards, who played kooky neighbor Kramer on "Seinfeld," lashed out at the hecklers last week during a performance at West Hollywood's Laugh Factory. A video of his rant then appeared on TMZ.com. The video shows him calling one of the hecklers a racial epithet, and repeating it over and over again. In a subsequent satellite appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman," Richards said his tirade was fueled by anger, not bigotry. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said in a statement Wednesday that Richards' comments and anti-Semitic ones by Mel Gibson this year point to a trend in American culture, and that Richards' declaration "is indicative of the type of denial that too often accompanies racist rhetoric." Rubenstein, whose media relations firm specializes in "crisis management," according to its Web site, said he had never met or spoken to Richards before the actor called him. "He convinced me that he was sincere in his repentance and would do what's right," Rubenstein said. "I've been very involved in the African-American community for 25 to 30 years," Rubenstein continued. "It would be a tragedy if this exacerbated our race relations. I hope I can help. ... It's always been an effort on my part to improve African-American and Jewish ethnic relations." As for reports that Richards shouted out anti-Semitic remarks during another standup comedy routine in April, Rubenstein confirmed that Richards did, but that he was only role-playing. "He's Jewish. He's not anti-Semitic at all. He was role-playing, he was playing a part. He did use inappropriate language, but he doesn't have any anti-Semitic feelings whatsoever," Rubenstein said. "Michael says that he has a very hot temper, and that he says inappropriate things from time to time. Yes, there's no excuse for that."

11-23-2006, 12:08 AM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Too late Richards... Attached Images
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11-23-2006, 12:23 AM	#3
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	Man, does he ever know he F'd up! lol
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11-23-2006, 01:23 AM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	I don't want to see his career like this. I'm sure, like Mel Gibson, that it would take a long time to make amends to persons of color. It seems like the worst thing in the world to say, "I won't forgive you for what you said," and "If you were sorry, you wouldn't have said it". I don't think making racial slurs is the Unpardonable Sin if a person sincerely is sorry.
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11-23-2006, 07:32 AM	#5
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	i think its insane how much we focus on the N word today so many hollywood legends had racist views---- but we didnt make a big deal of it until recently i dont like it, but if they have opinions i think are wrong, that does not make them bad actors i recall in the early 90s when marlon brando was on tv and said how the Jews controlled hollywood and you would never see jewish stereotypes and went on and on---- it was big news for like 1 day and then nothing and he went on with his life---- did i agree? no, but it wasnt like he was a murderer or something this whole world has gotten wayyyyyy too PC
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11-23-2006, 08:20 AM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Probably the best thing Richards can do right now is disappear for a while. He said his apologies, now he should lay low. And probably stay out of the comedy clubs. It's obvious the standup thing isn't working.
	__________________ "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, 08:22 AM	#7
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	well it appears to me that he is NOT a racist he just thought it would be funny and shocking--- which it wasnt i hate that because he made a bad judgement call he has to undergo "treatment" in order to play nice with the media he apologized, we all know he aint racist so why is this still an issue? americans just have too much time on their hands i guess and too much tv

11-23-2006, 12:20 PM	#13
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	He's just making a bigger fool of himself, why doesn't he just let it go?
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11-23-2006, 01:47 PM	#14
felicitylen Keep Austin WEIRD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2003 Location: Hook 'em Horns Posts: 1,606	I guess he thought hiring an expert will make things better. The damage has been done.
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11-23-2006, 05:30 PM	#15
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	he is NOT racist if u read the articles he made similar attacks against jews in a stand up routine a few weeks ago he lashed out against jewish hecklers with racial insults too since he IS A JEW himself, it is OBVIOUS he doesnt hate jews and since he did the same thing a few weeks later against blacks, you can see a CLEAR pattern here, that it is part of some odd routine that got out of hand