Train Wrecks
Richards Reaches Out To Civil Rights Leaders

Jesse Jackson, Michael Richards, Al SharptonTMZ has learned that Michael Richards is reaching out to civil rights leaders, asking for forgiveness.

Uber-publicist Howard Rubenstein, who was hired just today by the "Seinfeld" star, tells TMZ that Richards was on the phone today with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton, apologizing for his racial rant last Friday at L.A.'s Laugh Factory -- a rant captured on video and first shown on TMZ.

Rubenstein says Richards has made other phone calls today as well, expressing regret for his comments. Rubenstein says, "He's appalled at what he did and wants to start the healing process." Rubenstein adds, "Whether it be an attack on any racial group -- disguised or posed as humor -- he acknowledges it's horrible and wrong and he will never do that again."

Rubenstein says the calls were received "positively." Sharpton, however, stated publicly that he did not buy Richards' apology on "Letterman."



Filed under: Train Wrecks


Tags: Michael Richards, MichaelRichards, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev.AlSharpton, Rev.JesseJackson

Reader Comments

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1. A good start to end a bad situation.

Posted at 1:45PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Woodman22

2. I am sick of it already. Get over it. Hell, someone called me a white cracker the other day. i didnt call the White House. I am just sick that its ok that white people get bashed and it is ok, that much stink isnt made, however if another race is insulted, the big guns are called in. what the hell. I am not racist but come on. I have been to comedy clubs that bust on whites all the time. I understand his rage seemed anger. what was it the heckler was heckling. Did anyone think of that. I know he is the professional but come on. I wasnt there so I dont know but come on, there is a war going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Move on already

Posted at 1:49PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Leesa

3. This is the right way to go for him. I hope Michael spends some serious time with leaders of the African-American community.

But I also hope the hecklers don't receive a dime of his money - that's such a joke.

Posted at 1:50PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by DH

4. He's only sorry that he got caught on video. This guy is evil to the core. I hope all the brothers in attendance sue his ass.

Posted at 1:50PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Mohamad

5. PLEASE tell me that this actor doesn't think that talking to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will smooth this over in the black community?

I would love to meet a person who really thinks these people are leaders of black america. I have no particular sense of loyalty to any of these "media appointed leaders of black america"
And it's amazing that Richards really thinks he can apologize to them and make it all better.
Would love to hear those conversations though, I admit it :)

Posted at 1:51PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by margaret

6. WHY DO PEOPLE THINK JESSE AND AL REPRESENT ALL OF US!!! I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF EITHER, REALLY! THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS APOLOGIZE (SINCERELY) AND TAKE SOME CULTURAL AWARENESS CLASSES AND WORK ON HIMSELF. THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE SCREWED UP BIG TIME! RACISM IS NOT SOMETHING THAT GOES AWAY FROM A CALL TO JESSE AND AL, HE NEEDS TO EXAMINE HIMSELF AND DEAL WITH THAT...THEN WE NEED TO LET IT GO BECAUSE HE IS NOT THE FIRST RACIST IN AMERICA AND IS CERTAINLY NOT THE LAST.

Posted at 1:58PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by babydoll

7. u think hes apologizing to them cause hes REALLY sorry?

Richards is BANNED from the laugh factory in LA til the black leaders tell him and people
hes been forgiven so hes reaching out those niggers as he likes to call them so he can get back in the laugh factory.

i wonder y mexicans arent pissed off too cus according to the black guys Richards doesnt like Mexicans either!

Posted at 2:01PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by 50 50 racial black and white......

8. Sooo LAME!!! Get over it. Don't try to back pedal now! You said it....own up to it!!

Posted at 2:04PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Vanessa

9. #4 I also think he is just sorry he got caught on tape. I've read that he's done this before. He obviously wasn't sorry then, so why would he be now, except to try to save any career he has left. I don't think he's evil, just misguided and needs professional help.

Posted at 2:04PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Doris

10. Yes, I agree that Jesse and Al does not represent the black community as a whole. Next stop, OPRAH!!!!! Damage Control Central for the comedian looking to make a comeback or a pathetic explanation.

I really believe that there is something wrong with Micheal Richards and he needs help. Even on Letterman, the man did not seem all there. At this point forgive, move on and pray for him to get help and work through these issues. There is always on situation in your life that forces you to evaluate or re-evaluate the things or people in it.

As a black woman I have learned that ignorance is bliss and as a person we all are learning everyday. He will learn from this day forward the consequences of actions that you take in life.

Posted at 2:06PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Tiffany

11. Richards stepped over a line and already apologized. He does not need to grovel. Also, the hecklers were not the innocents they claim to be. As Leesa said in post #2, Move on already!

Posted at 2:08PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Happy Thanksgiving

12. Don't care.

Posted at 2:15PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by jFp

13. #4 Mohamad STFU you ignorant asswipe. Michael just forget it -- don't grovel to those two pictured jerks. Come on! Jesse Jackson who has his own skeletons, including out-of-wedlock babes, and Al Sharpton? These two are the most unforgiving "preachers" of the highest magnitude. They cast stones at everyone else, yet lead un-preacher-like lives of their own.

Posted at 2:16PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by Lou

14. hey kramer, just stroke that fat hipocrite sharpton a check and let jesse spit in your food and we'll call you even-steven and you can be master of your domain again...get laid or something, too much money to be that angry.

i can't believe these two idiots are still "black leaders"...what OJ's busy?

Posted at 2:17PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by huh?

15. Seinfeld Exposed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8HfgFJnSCM

Posted at 2:21PM on Nov 22nd 2006 by just check this out

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