Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

61. Why didn't the heckler have to appologize? The jerk could dish it out, but he couldn't take it. Why does the one who started it get to set the limits?

Posted at 9:22PM on Nov 20th 2006 by bannie

62. Michael Richards committed an egregious error in the comedian's book of protocol...he let a heckler get to him. You can see he tried to make jokes about it at first, but he let himself get buried before he could do what we usually do when there's hecklers around...turn a negative into a positive.

I have been doing standup for only 5 years on the circuit and have had my balls verbally busted by hecklers more times than I can count, and a lot of the old timers will tell you to turn it around on them so that everyone leaves with a smile, even the assholes who tried to get to you in the first place will eventually either leave or STFU and enjoy the show.

He didn't have to play the race card...he could have actually turned it into humor and played the over-the-top "cracker" nerdy whiteboy stereotype for a good part of his act. He used a slur to be edgy and it backfired on him really badly. I think he let Hollywood get to him to where he felt like he was invincible on the stage. Dude, you're a comedian and a performer...you are a jester, nobody is safe on the stage when it's all in jest. I hope other comedians out there don't let hecklers get to them like this and learn how to work it into the act. There's always gonna be hecklers in standup, and you can't let them ruffle you when you get interrupted.

Posted at 7:31PM on Nov 20th 2006 by A comedian

63. Syndication switched today's Seinfeld episode to the one where they act in haste and mistakenly take a handicapped persons parking spot. An outraged community overreacts and flips their car. Remember that one?

Nice try. I'm sure that's going to help us "laugh this one off".... (cynical chuckle)

Posted at 7:32PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Jeff

64. well said alice #13 i'm with you..

Posted at 7:37PM on Nov 20th 2006 by i like alice

65. It doesn't matter if the heckelers called him a cracker. If he responded each time by calling them the "N" word that would have been one thing, but he lost it. Watching the video it was clear it was an outburst he couldn't control, and appears to reflect who he really is.

As far as the Southern comment above, try learning a little history. No, nobody in the North was prejudiced against black people, which is why Illinois had a law prohibiting free blacks from moving into the state. A law which, when he was asked about it directly, Lincoln stated was the people's decision and their right.

Also, regarding the "white people cannot see the difference in Black commedians playfully criticizing white culture " post above, that is about as ignorant as the posts excusing Richards comments. If you don't understand that calling a white person cracker, redneck, etc. etc. is as racist as using the "N" word you are truely a lost cause.

Posted at 7:37PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Patrick

66. Tell it like it is redneck mike.

None of the TV news channels are showing how those loud apes were ruining the show for everyone. Someone needs to teach t-raon and desonatta how to act in public. Why securty didn't take them ouside and beat their black asses before it ever got to this is the real question. So the next time a black comedian picks on the one white guy at his show are you all going to be offned then to? I guessit's OK to be racist as long as your not white.

Posted at 11:36PM on Nov 21st 2006 by whitey

67. I don't care that he used the word and I'm not offended. For one, the "N" word does not offend me because the word means a bundle of sticks and people only get offended because they let the word have more power then it should. Second, who is he anyway? I never watched Seinfeld a f'ing day in my life, for that reason exactly. There are no black people on the show so it in no way applies to me. Thirdly, all these racist remarks make me laugh. Black people really shouldn't get offended because we already know how the majority of white people are. They will always be racist. BFD. Black people are racist too. You need to just get over it.

I would have had more respect for whoever the guy was if he wouldn't have taken apologized. If you have hate in your heart let it out. Don't apologize if that's how you really feel. Respect your own gangsta and don't apologize for things you really mean.

Posted at 7:40PM on Nov 20th 2006 by I'm Black

68. Every one has a bit of racist in them. whether they believe it or not. Some people stereotype, some ignore other races, some call names, and some act violently. It is just a part of the world we live in. I choose not to exert my energy on trying to figure out why he said what he said. The racist in him just came out, that's all.

Also heckling is just apart of the comedy business, it happens. Comedians should expect it. He just didn't handle it well and ended up going off the deep end.

Posted at 7:40PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Brie

69. I was raised to not be racist. I was raised where "you don't call a colored person a nigga". They are no different than you and I. So, what's the deal with them calling themselves that now? Why is it raciest when white people say it...but not when they call themselves that? It was said already here, that it's okay for black people to call white people "crackers" and no one throws the racist card...and that's very true.

I don't think his tyrade was cool, and perhaps he has issues, but I'm about fed up with the "racist card".

Use it to your advantage when needed. Borderline pathetic!

Posted at 7:45PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Heather

70. I think the racial tension in this country is terrible. I am a white male. I know that all blacks are racist as well. Not in the same way we use the term racist. I know all whites are racist. The problem is not the skin color as we all know was the reason in the past. The problem is the culture. The blacks are on a constant definsive mode waiting for any white person to slip and make a racial slur or anything that might even resemble that. I have friends that are black, and I truly do not care about skin color. The things that get to me are not anything dealing with race. To me it is all about how you treat others. I try to treat everyone with respect. I used to be in the military and worked for a gospel service. There was around 500 on average. They treated me the same as the catholic and protestant services. I guess what Im trying to say is I dont like rude people. I know what he did was wrong and he should appologize for it because it is so hurtfull. But nobody should take it personal. The reason I say this is because it has been a long time since blacks were slaves and they were enslaved by there own people as well and many other races have been slaves including whites. I know that there is to much hatred out there in this world. I know I am rambling but there is a point. I feel that SOME blacks not all are very rude. Let me tell you a few stories. One time I went to a movie. This nice looking family comes in Mom, Dad and their three kids. Well the three kids moved towards the center of the row the parents stayed on the end. The movie was King Kong. Anyways, the parents pulled off their shoes and put their feet up on the seats in front of them. Well during the movie they would talk to each other and make remarks of the movie very loudly as if they were in their own house with no consideration for others. It was about three quarters of the way through the movie when the dad gets a phone call. He is just setting back chillin and talking on the phone, I was steamed. The funny part of this is I don't think they knew how it ended because when King kong fell off the building they grabed their kids and were saying this is so stupid were leaving. This family was black. I know that it was not necessarily a black thing but a rude person. It just seems that there is more of them. I dont know how else to put it except that way. I have been to Iraq and served with the finest most of our higher enlisted were black and they treat everyone the same. And the higher white enlisted did as well. The reason why nobody becomes buddy buddy with other races is because our cultures are so different. The reason it works in the military is because we are forced into the same culture. The army culture and it truly is a different society. I seen all the races dead before me and they all had red blood.

Posted at 10:37PM on Nov 20th 2006 by TLC

71. Sorry, got my words mixed up (The "N" word and faggot). But my point still stands. People let words have more power than they should. Just keep it moving.

Posted at 8:40PM on Nov 20th 2006 by I'm Black

72. It amazes me that in 2006 so many of you out there are so uneducated and ignorant. What he did was wrong. Plain and simple. They are in a comedy club, and there isn't anything funny about his behavior. How many of you ignorant people noticed in the clip that most of the audience got up and left??? They knew it was awful behavior coming from him, and they showed it by leaving. I will say that its nice to know that the parents of the kids on here making all these racist remarks are proud...they have sucessfully passed on their ignorance and intolerance to an already messed up generation!

Posted at 6:05PM on Nov 25th 2006 by NOT IGNORANT

73. i wanted to see the video before i jumped to conclusions, but now that i have seen it, boy this is horrible....rather than try to crack on the hecklers like most professional comics do....he just flat out says the n word...like thats it ....
he said it to hurt too....thats whats even more pathetic....like ive always said
EVERYONE IS RACIST THEY JUST NEED SOMETHING TO GET IT OUT OF THEM...

Posted at 8:40PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Ben

74. *********************"....Black people really shouldn't get offended because we already know how the majority of white people are. They will always be racist. BFD. Black people are racist too. You need to just get over it..."

Posted at 7:38PM on Nov 20th 2006 by I\'m Black""****************************

You see that's what I have the problem with....I don't agree with this comedian's actions...I think it was deplorable, but according to your ignorant comment, I seem to be lumped in with your ignorant assumption of ALL white people.

You need to hold "individuals" accountable for their actions...not an entire race or population.

Posted at 7:50PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Whiteboy

75. Go Kramer, u-r my hero! You hear the N word in rapper's song's all day long and it is ok, so I think this is ok too!

Posted at 7:56PM on Nov 20th 2006 by cheryl