Author |
Message |
Abby7
Member
07-17-2002
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:40 am
i just watched richards on letterman. i'm convinced his apology was sincere. i hope i'm not wrong about that; and, i truly hope his "personal work" makes a change within him. well it's very late and i have an early morning. i don't want to continue thinking about all his horrible comments.
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 1:52 am
I was at work and missed Letterman. Anyone have a link to the apology video? I've tried searching YouTube, but I guess maybe the copyright people got to it?
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 2:03 am
Nevermind, I found it on Google video. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9107547518165183938&q=michael+richards&hl=en
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 5:24 am
I saw Letterman and I also thought he was sincere and it is ripping him up inside...glad he admitted he needs some personal work. I also thought Letterman and Seinfeld handled it well, not apologizing for him and showing they were appalled as well. I think the audience thought it was a joke, maybe they hadnt seen the news that day and didnt know what had happened...I dont think they were laughing at the situation. I appaulad Seinfeld for telling them to stop laughing
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 5:32 am
I agree that he seemed truly remorseful and sincere; however, he did mention something (I can't quote it right now) that made me also feel he was a bit (physically) "scared" of the ramifications. If that's why he apologized, then it isn't truly sincere. Jerry Seinfeld supported his friend by letting him take up some of his interview time, but at no time did he try to make excuses for Richards. Bravo to him.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 5:35 am
"I'm afraid of more hate, more rage, more anger coming through. Not only to me, but to..." That's the quote that made me think he is somewhat scared, not just apologetic.
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Biloxibelle
Member
12-21-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 5:58 am
I was totally prepared not to take his apology in to account. My mind was made up that nothing he could possibly say would change my mind. Now after watching Letterman I'm not so sure. I think I will take the wait and see attitude. It still makes me sick when I think of what he said. But I do appreciate the fact he didn't hide behind publicists and run off to rehab for a "substance" abuse problem. He has a lot of inner self work to do. One thing I do know. I was always a big fan of the Seinfeld Show. I will never be able to enjoy the show the way I once did.
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 6:02 am
To me it doesnt matter if he is "ripped up inside". Bottom line is in all my years those words have never come out of my mouth and would never come out of my mouth even if I was enraged. That he was capable of such hatred pretty much says it all for me. He is just going to join that ever growing list of entertainers who I will not watch (Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and now Kramer"
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Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 6:46 am
Like I said last night, as remorseful as he may be, those words came from somewhere inside of him. He needs to find that dark place and cleanse it.
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Adven
Member
02-06-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 7:09 am
Richards could easily be a racist and those are certainly the words of one. Some people, though, when they become enraged just want to strike back in any way they can, no matter how vile, in order regain the upper hand. The animal part of the brain kicks in and the brakes are off. In this case, his antagonists were black and, unfortunately, he impulsively went down the road he did in trying to hurt them. This doesn't excuse Richards - he chose to use those words - but this may be more of a problem with impulse control and rage than classical racism.
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Jan
Moderator
08-01-2000
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 7:17 am
I agree, Adven. That is the impression I had after watching the very uncomfortable apology on Letterman. I had the impression that he lost total control when he went into a rage and said whatever he could to hurt his listeners. As for the word, I, like many here, have never and would never use it. But it is not a word I ever heard in my upbringing. Perhaps he did hear it in his family or environment .Perhaps it was dormant and came out in his rage and desire to hurt at any cost. Like he said, he has a lot of personal work to do. I think he was sincerely sick to his stomach at what he had done. Luckily he must have millions put away from the Seinfeld syndication because I don't think he will be working again for years to come!
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 7:19 am
I'm not sure about his sincerity. I still don't accept his apology. I thought he sounded like he was on drugs which may be another excuse for him who knows. He showed his true colors.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 7:21 am
And it is not just about him using the n-word. He mentioned lynching and wanting to lynch someone again. I'm sorry there is absolutely no excuse for this. None.
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Jhonise
Member
07-10-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 7:36 am
I think he showed his true colours. He was performing stand up comedy and stand up comedians are often heckled by the audience. The fact that he chose to say the things that he did show that this is something within him. Not cool.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 7:39 am
I haven't heard the entire apology, but I guess I'd find it difficult to trust him again and with so many other choices in performers, if I was hiring or buying a ticket I'd probably just pass on this particular one. I hope he is sincere. To me not only did he say those things, he repeated them numerous times and heaped more on top.
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Holly
Member
06-19-2005
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 8:24 am
I agree with Adven too. And I think his apology absolutely reeked of sincerity. I also heard Sinbad, the black comedian, being interviewed about this last night. His honesty was striking. Said he himself has racist feelings too, and stated that we ALL do, but the key is not to act on them when provoked, or as Adven said "The animal part of the brain kicks in and the brakes are off." I've always liked him as a comedian and found his honesty about the whole racial thing very refreshing and thought provoking.
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 8:49 am
Just remember, he is a trained actor.
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Native_texan
Member
08-24-2004
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 8:58 am
I agree with Sinbad.
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Seamonkey
Moderator
09-07-2000
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:09 am
Ginger, to be fair, it seems he is a "method" actor and gets into character and lets it rip, so trained, yeah, but contained, maybe not. And of course Comedy Club standup is rarely mild, but this still was shocking to me.
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:10 am
I mean, look at his apology and remember he is a trained actor.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:15 am
Richards acted nearly close to breaking down numerous times during his Letterman appearance. I can't decide whether he is truly remorseful or if he was nervous as hell because his career may be over (along with maybe being afraid to go out in public now). Time will tell, I guess. I do believe that most of us have made some pretty bad decisions in our lives, but his display was beyond disgusting. I grew up with a father who said whatever he felt like saying, and yes, I heard "that word" many times, but I would never say it even in anger. I believe that no matter what others say to us and how mad we get, we should be able to control what comes out of our mouths. To be honest, I will continue to watch Seinfeld, because I love the show. I hope this doesn't seem hypocritical of me to watch the show, yet be disgusted by his actions.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:18 am
Again it is not just about that word. This is indeed classic racism. To say it is anything less is to really not understand what racism is all about. Or to not care what it is all about.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:19 am
Huk, you do you darlin and continue to watch. It is still a great series. No doubt bout that.
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Holly
Member
06-19-2005
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:24 am
Interestingly, Sinbad also addressed the use of that word. He talked about the black vs white use of it and stated that to him, there was a time when he found it acceptable when blacks used it but no longer does and just feels insulted regardless of who says it. I think he's right too. It should not be used by anyone. Period.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:24 am
I admit that I didn't understand what he was talking about with the fork. I will never truly understand racism, but hopefully you and others can teach us old dogs something.
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