There is nothing funny about what came out of this man's mouth. Where does that sort of hatred come from? I did catch David Letterman last night when Michael Richards went live via satelite to apologize for his actions and words but I also know that The Laugh Factory asked him back for Saturday night and he said he would apologize then but didn't. Then Sunday the video was posted on TMZ and now that the world has seen his ugliness, now he's apologizing. Now that he's gotten caught, that is.
And how horrible was it that audience members on David Letterman were laughing during his apology? Like they thought it was a comedy skit. Jerry Seinfeld finally spoke up and told them to shut up; that this wasn't a laughing matter.
This morning on The Today Show, both Meredith Viera and Al Roker said some pretty harsh words towards him and I believe Al muttered something about never wanting him on the show (or something like that...it was hard to understand).
I understand being angry at hecklers but I don't understand how that hatred can turn into ugliness so quickly. And it went on and on. He didn't say one comment, he went off and said some horrific statements. Man, this is the first time Kramer really didn't make me laugh.
What do you guys think? Do you think his apology is genuine or do you think it's a day late and a dollar short?
5 comments:
I forgot to watch the apology last night, so I just caught it on youtube. I DO think he's upset and sorry about what happened. I think it would be difficult to fake being as distraught as he seemed.
However, I think there are a lot of people from that generation who don't feel that they are racist because they have black/asian/Jewish/whatever friends, yet they make generalizations of other races and cultures. They're okay with people one on one, but they still hold on to the stereotypes as a whole. I'm not sure if I'm explaining this well or not, but I honestly don't think that HE thinks he is racist. I have worked with admitted racists here in NC, and it's very different. It seems that he realizes that there are some personal issues that he needs to address, which is good. (Getting the term "afro-americans" out of his vocabulary would be a start.)
I understand why the audience laughed. Letterman probably wasn't the best place to go with a serious apology, especially since Dave had already been making jokes about it, but I get why he chose to do it then. It would be easier to face that with a friend nearby, and I think it says a lot about the friendship that he and Jerry must share. Jerry must be a good guy since he himself has said how disgusted he was with the comments, but still supports his friend during what must be a very difficult time for him.
well articulated, joy. i agree with ridding himself of the adjective "afro-american". that seemed really bizarre.
i also think it wasn't the best place to offer a formal apology. maybe Larry King or a statment to the press, but not David Letterman.
But Jerry was already scheduled to appear which I think is why he used that show as the outlet.
josh said...
i've actually heard conflicting reports that said that he did apologize when he went back onstage the next night, so not sure who/what to believe...
I was watching letterman and I can understand a bit why a few audience members were laughing (and it was a small group)...it was such an awkward moment, and they are so used to Kramer being Kramer. It was more nervous laughter than anything, especially because some of those people I actually believe may not have known about the whole ordeal...a lot of people who go see Letterman are tourists who maybe aren't online and watching the news, and the apology was set up almost exactly like comedy bits are set up, introducing someone live via satellite, then all of a sudden there's Kramer.
I spoke to someone who was at the comedy club that night and she said it was a weird, horrible night. after Richards left the stage, no other comics went onstage for an hour or two...everyone was shocked and didnt' know what to do, what to say.
i do believe the apology was genuine, but I mean, when I kicked my brother in the head when I was a kid, my apology was genuine too, but it doesn't change the fact that I kicked my brother in the head
Josh, you have made me think: Lance I owe you an apology. I'm sorry I fed you a bottle of aspirin when you were a baby.
Didn't the black guy yell racist comments back? Is that any better?
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