Indeed. Michael Richards always played that "spastic weirdo". From "UHF" to "The Michael Richards Show". He always played that character. That's why he failed that night because he wasn't a stand-up comedian. He was more of a sketch comedy actor. And even if he was a "stand up" before "Fridays", he should've spent some time in a rural comedy club honing his act before hitting LA.
Seinfeld's such a whiny bitch. Implicit in his demand is the thought that he knows better than anyone in the audience and that his feelings should dictate how they receive this ridiculous charade. He fuckin' brought it on himself. He's almost as much of a joke as Kramer, and he can get fucked.
@@tiny_toilet he has revealed himself to be pretty insufferable as a person in his recent career. Out of touch and bitchy. But I definitely think he is on the spectrum too, which he was the first to suggest.
@@antichavista82 Tbh, they did talk during his standup. Heckling is an offense punishable by any means necessary. The hecklers should have apologized to Micheal Richards.
and everyone was laughing too. he just seems out of touch personally with society. like maybe he has some genuine mental issues. I've always thought he was a little too kooky for it to just be acting. he's just out of touch. I don't think he's a racist or anything.
*bursts in* “Oh man, Jerry. This is bad. This is REAAAAL bad.” “What’s bad?” “I said it, Jerry. I said it a bunch of times.” “You said what?” “It! I said it!” “You said IT? Why?! You never say it.”
Jerry: Didn't you call me an anti-dentite that one time? Kramer: I'm sorry, Jerry. I'm sorry..... It flashed out of me.... I'll make it up to you, buddy.
@@hyfr5053 probably just the sudden change of rage, showing his true colors and then going on this show with such a half crap apology is hilarious, can't believe I never saw this till now
@@MrIanWebb How do we know? Letterman involvement? Check. Misunderstood goofy sitcom star? Check. Eventual disappearance from the public eye? Checkmate.
@@bwilliams463 All Jerry had to do was throw a fork at a camera and it would have enhanced the Kaufman bit by a million in shock factor. I wish he would have in retrospect.
I'm awful? How am I awful? Look at what happened because of what you said, what it lead to. 3 black men had their feelings hurt and you're laughing, you're laughing about it.
I don't have anything against Jerry Seinfeld but maybe there's something I don't know? 🤷♂️ I was just going to add that I think he is by far the highest paid comedian... Maybe even of all time, or so far? Seinfeld is by far the highest grossing sitcom that has ever aired in the United States and have you heard the rumors about how much he got paid for the Netflix special?? I'm not sure how true this is but, I read somewhere that they offered him an extra 10 million to do the helicopter jump in the beginning. He agreed but only if he got to choose his trainer length of training helicopter and pilot. 😁 *Smart I think there's a reason this gentleman is so well-paid. As far as the other commenter here I wonder what Jerry did to him or her?
@@davids.3584 "Scumbag" is an overstatement, but it is pretty well-known that Seinfeld is not warm with people outside his orbit. He doesn't like fans coming up to him. He makes fun of everything, which some people find insulting and disingenuous. He's basically the anti-Tom Hanks (or Bizarro Tom Hanks, if you will). Having said that, I've never heard of him really doing anything terrible. He dated a teenager when he was 38, which is pretty bizarre, but they dated for four years, so...I don't know. It's weird, but you don't hear stories of Seinfeld being cruel or sexually assaulting people, etc. None of the stuff that worst famous people do.
Never bothered with Seinfeld so I just see a dude. I was a kid/teen in the 90s and at the time the show was boring to me. I'm watching it now on Netflix to see what I missed.
@@sacr3 I’m a huge fan but I don’t get mad when people say they don’t like it or it’s boring. I can understand how they see that. There’s literally no story line and some of the acting is pretty bad. But I’ve always felt that the combination of the material and the bad acting made it even funnier.
@@justinwilson1359 Jerry is not a good actor at all. Other than that, everyone is exceptional. Julia, Michael, and Jason are absolutely mind-blowing with their acting.
This was fucking awkward in every conceivable way, the laughter, the subject matter, Jerry telling people not to laugh, Michael being via satellite and just talking and talking into oblivion, and the awkward silences in between. It's almost beautiful.
@@michaelball4595 Lmao the folksy way Letterman described the incident had me weak. These days we'd be pretty explicit and say "X actor went on a racist rampage and said the N word" but back then it was just "So what's this he goes crazy in this club or something?"
to be fair, the laughter was only in the beginning, maybe those few weren't informed about the situation. it's not something that you can control just like that and therefore you can't really blame Michael for it. and it doesn't make the said words less valuable. I thought it was an honest apology and a plausible explanation of what happened. He did the right thing that had to be done in my opinion.
@@hyfr5053 ... Unfortunately for Michael, no amount of apology will give you full 100% redemption & forgiveness, especially with the subject matter of angry racist ranting. He retired soon thereafter. And The Michael Richards Show he tried to do, post-Seinfeld, years before this incident did not help either, as that show bombed.
justin chiampa I think the fact that his friend Jerry was there is what drew him to Letterman that night. Had Jerry not been there, it probably would have been Today Show or something. Probably a better idea.
He's condescending because everyone is laughing when someone is trying to apologize over racial slurs that he made during an act. Michael basically said that back then he could have hung them from a tree and pitched them with a fork, having people laugh while you apologize is ignorant , insensitive, and appalling. Jerry as a Jewish man can see what's wrong with the picture of someone apologizing over racial comments against certain people and the torture they had to go through, and idiots not paying attention to the actual fact that there was hate in what he said and that those things that happened are no laughing matter. THAT is where Jerry's attitude is coming from.
He grew up during an era in which blatant and legal racism actually existed. As in, segregation: separate schools, restaurants, bathrooms, etc. for blacks vs. whites. That's what he means. It's not a "trust me, bro."
We all make mistakes. He was definitely on a rage rant. It may never recover his career but at the end of the day we're still human. Still, it was wrong. However, we say things we don't mean when angry.
@@RustySh4ckleford overly dramatic much? Black comics do worse every day about white people and other groups. It is easily forgivable, and unlike the black comics, at least he has the humility to apologize.
I don't like the term African American. It became popular maybe 30 years ago to make stereotypes sound academic. Then I've heard white British children call black British people African American. I pointed it out to a kid that is makes no sense so he asked what he should call them. I said "why don't you ask people what they want to be called?"
Its a way to segregate people of the same nationality. Americans are American regardless of their skin color. All Americans should stand for the national anthem.@@jawz101_fpv7
+Michael Collins I literally cannot finish watching this, I've tried over the years but never been able to lol so much cringe. The show did that on purpose with the long pauses and Dave's condescending delivery.
Stern would have been interested and engaged. Letterman kinda just let Richards flail around quite a bit, not fun to watch and certainly not anything approaching proper comedy, either, except the absurdity of making such a deep apology on a show like Letterman's, which is about as irreverent as late night shows come.
The problem with Jerry Seinfeld is that he's a real person and a character on a sitcom played by the real person. It's very hard for people to separate the two. When Jerry talks, we subconsciously think it's the guy who lives in a New York apartment and has these wacky people around him that he observes. Especially considering the Jerry from the sitcom was a comedian too and went on talk shows himself. Then you throw in someone else from the show in the mix and you feel like you're watching a Seinfeld episode.
@@FredGSanford. well I know _you’re_ not a real person from your use of the term “Hollyweird”. Go back to Cybertron-7, you NPC robot. You -> 🐑 _”Baaaaa”_
It’s about as good of an apology as I expected from him, but when he mentioned that “perhaps this isn’t the right venue”, that nailed it. The crowd expected humor and it’s like someone snickering at a funeral.
Yeah, it was the wrong venue, cuz late night shows are so scripted that everyone expects a clip moment to be comedic especially with a comedic host and guest. Larry King Live or Oprah show would've been the right place for a public apology. Also this was before smart phones existed and the majority of the country was not watching online videos everyday, the incident happened only a couple days before. In fact it was one of the 1st famous "viral" cell phone videos of someone on stage, I bet 90% of people didn't even know about it yet.
It's nothing like that at all LOL. A guy from a comedy show did something dumb, and then something else dumb (this stupid apology). Also, the words he was saying were fucking funny. Afro Americans? Trash Talk? it's funny.
That whole thing was so surreal. He's a comedian. You're supposed to laugh at him. I don't blame the audience for not picking up on the fact that they were being serious. The whole thing was just totally bizarre.
Right?? I remember when this happened, it was a HUGE deal. Imagine these days? These f'n SJW's would have his head on a stake!! Honestly, his tirade was NOTHING compared to anything we have seen since. It's a good example of how the world has changed. Racism is worse now than it was back then...yet they have all these "SJW" kiddos out there making it seem like it's MUCH worse than it is. The act like we're in the 1960's and still had segregation. My beef with the SJW's is that they don't know how to be subtle at all, nor can they take a joke. I hate how there is this belief that "everyone needs to be represented (to make up for the past) and we have to have "x amount of 'this race" to make sure they feel included! To hell with realism or historical accuracy in movies...as long as nobody feels left out!
I think the awkward aire to everything could have been what compelled the audience to laugh. And honestly his delivery doesn’t help 😂 I get that it’s probably hard to come out on national television and from the looks of it just ramble on about being sorry for something you did.
Bizarre, offbeat but hilarious tenth-season opener. Pretty daring strong stuff, even for Larry David. Definitely set the tone for what would be the series most unexpected and atypical, to say the least, season. Dark, twisted, brilliantly conceived companion piece to the previous season's "The Merv Griffin Show" (Episode 6).
the way we've been conditioned by sitcoms to laugh when there's a pause or when something is said that isn't deliberately a joke, but just sounds out of place in a normal dialogue is honestly fascinating especially because we literally only see this guy as Cosmo Kramer so people pretty much do not care
The whole thing is set up like a comedy bit with the whole "We have Michael Richards here via satellite" They'd do sketches that started that way all the time. so I don't blame the audience for not knowing what to expect. Also, Dave says he's hearing news of this "today" so it's likely so recent the audience hadn't even heard about the tirade anywhere else. They probably thought this was another awkward Kaufman-style stunt that the Letterman show was known for. The choice to apologize on that show in particular was a mistake.
@@ataraxxxI don't think it was the show so much as the timing. The use of the term "Afro-Americans" also didn't do him any favors, although he meant well by it.
@@ignatiusjackson235 If this was on Oprah or Sally I don't believe it would draw quite the same laughter. They'd set a more serious tone. Plus Letterman was "live" and he clearly didn't rehearse the apology beyond the bullet points.
I think the event literally happened that day and a lot of people may not have even heard what happened. If I was in the audience with no prior knowledge and I saw 2 comedians I would have thought it was a bit. So I can understand people laughing
This was seriously one of the most awkward, illconceived moments in tv history. Letterman was probably the WORST possible place for them to do this apology. The audience was totally correct in laughing because THEY'RE AT A COMEDY SHOW. Any reasonable person would've assumed they were doing a bit of some kind. Other than 911, when has Letterman ever had an "in all seriousness" moment? Leno would've been a way better choice. And I understand the fact that Jerry was already scheduled on Letterman that night but then just mention it, and have Richards on Leno instead.
No other talk show host had balls the size of Letterman. You think Leno would've run this on his show? No chance. Also, people at NBC are known to distance themselves from controversial things such as this.
Dumbest comment i've ever seen... Letterman's whole schtick often involved "in all seriousness" moments: often spending large amounts of time on desk pieces commentating on death, morality, infidelity, etc. Leno on the other hand is an absolute hack.
A talk show - even one hosted by a 'comedic' type - isnt always comedic, or trying to be. Consider how often they have politicians, authors and other people in fields outside of comedy as guests.
He did have a kind of serious moment....ish? When he admitted to having sexual relationships with his female staff, however I'm not even sure if that could be considered serious considering he made jokes throughout it.
@@feny8 - well the crowd is dumb. I’m a millennial, and even I know the term… ever heard the term “Afro-Cuban” or “Afro-Brazilian”? maybe “Afro-American” was a little out-of-style at the time, but so what?
Jerry Seinfeld is a loyal friend. Not only did he share air time with a man half the country hated at that moment but he also made it clear they are still friends and stood up for Michael's character as a person. Even told the crowd to stop laughing it's not funny while Michael was trying to explain and apologize.
Well Jerry also had a 17 year old girlfriend when he was going on 40. Would pick her up from high school and everything. It seems like birds of an immoral feather flock together
@@katie-gf5wq TIL- Jerry was friends with a 17 y.o. female and started openly dating shortly after she turned 18. According to both her and Jerry, no sexual encounters happened until after she turned 18. Gotta admit that is kind of weird from my point of view.
For those that don’t remember, the actual reason this Incredibly awkward interview occurred was because the Seinfeld Complete Series DVD box set was being released about the same time, so the studio sent them on a damage-control tour to try to salvage sales.
DING DING DING!!! Yeah, Jerry Seinfeld was definitely humiliating himself for Michael Richards, and it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't tied to the absolute highest high of his career. It's been said out loud more and more recently... Jerry Seinfeld is a mediocre comedian who happened to be good friends with a comedy genius named Larry David. Without Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld's career would have been Letterman and Leno appearances, at best.
@@heavydfunkJerry always struck me as a great observer who looks at the idiosyncrasies of everyday people, in a similar vein to George Carlin. But he doesn't quite have the warmth or verbal wit of George, so a lot of his stuff just leaves me cold.
I felt his sincerity, as a Black American but I can’t speak for the actual people he was ranting to, and how they may feel. It’s just terrible how a funny individual such as himself ruined his career over anger.
This is the worst fucking apology in history. Who.. why did they think The Tonight Show would be a good idea. "How ya doing Michael" "Im uh.. I'm not doing so good" No shit lmao
He was shattered over it because he knows he destroyed his career in one night. I'm a black man and honestly I have nothing against him, I forgive him. Sometimes when I get angry, feel disrespected, things come out of my mouth that I don't mean and I instantly regret, nothing racial but it was still awful. I hope he got the help he desperately needed.
I don't think he needs "help," he just needs to work on controlling his anger. I get super angry too and I'm made some extremely offensive comments, but I usually do it under my breath or in a way that people can't hear me. often times, I'll make a rude comment on youtube then come back later to erase it. too bad Kramer couldn't do the same. also, I've experienced racism myself and it sucks, but it's not the end of the world.
Nah, "fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a fork in your ass!" Simply being mad doesn't account for his choosing to describe how he'd lynch a black man like they used to. Fuck your forgiveness.
This so completely backfired. Not the right venue, not the right platform, just a big bowlful of wrong. It's embarrassing to even watch. RIP Michael Richards' career.
I don't think so at all. The audience just needed a while to understand how serious Richards was and he was able to get his genuine emotions of remorse across.
Fr. "I'm not racist" My brother u hard R'd many times with a few breaks in between and justified by saying that's what u get for interrupting the white man
I remember when this aired I had no idea what richards had said. Totally thought it was gonna be a comedy bit, then i was just confused. Really this is one of the most awkward things that I've ever seen, especially live.
Exactly. The date of the filming and when the general public knew caused the audience to be completely bewildered by it. Not to mention that news traveled fast, but not twitter fast for the average person.
At one point he even tried to say like "this feels like the wrong place to be apologizing for this stuff" but then no one responds and he just keeps talking and talking into a hole
@@daithiocinnsealach1982 Because they thought it was a funny skit! And they didn't take him seriously. Seems like Jerry and Kramer were the ones crying about people laughing. Maybe you can drive a little tears out, young lady.
@@johngilliam6764...yes he is The first thing out your mouth is N-word. That is in his heart. "Didn't you know not to interrupt a white man"......what???? Why wld he say that, if he didn't believe that. Blacks are beneath me.....oh plzzzz
@@101criticalthinker😂 yet he’s a millionaire that put HIS name on HIS show and brought all the actors/actresses to it. 100s of comedy shows and he still sells out concert halls and theaters yet he can’t tell a joke? Tell me you’re jealous without telling me… I guess all of those people on Jerry Springer made him too right and not the fact that he brought them on the show and knew how to entertain a live audience? You’re a goddamn looney tard
@@101criticalthinkerI love how my comment got deleted by the poster 😂 you don’t have to think he’s funny. Millions of people around the world will disagree with you … if you don’t like Jews you can just say it loser
In order to let out the bad air, Michael Richards should get a Comedy Central Roast. It should be full of lots of different comics of a range of diversity. This would address the elephant in the room, show that he can be insulted without resulting in racial slurs, and show that he's moved on from it.
You actually have a good ass idea. I can't believe no one liked or commented. As a black/spanish woman with a german partner. I fucking love this idea to ease tension.
liquidsolidsnake01 Although I like the idea, I don't know that he's the kind of person for that. Have you ever seen Seinfeld bloopers? He's a super serious actor, and I assume, person and people like that don't respond well to public ball-busting etc. I wonder what that would be like though!
Please. Jerry was just protecting an investment because Seinfeld wasn't out on DVD yet. psh. He was smoothing over his future money. You think Seinfeld fucks w this guy today?
@@WaldoBagelTopper People still watched reruns of Seinfeld on TV during this time. People would still buy the DVDs. The show is funny. Just because one actor on it turned out to be an asshole doesn't mean people will just tune it out completely. Fuck that kind of thinking.
@@WaldoBagelTopper He did his show years later and they talked about it, Michael thanks him for never turning his back on him over the years since the incident.
@@dt8787 What's childish? A famous man flipping out on stage, calling people the n word? That will never not be funny. Know what else will never not be funny? Thinking Letterman is a good place to apologise. Know what ELSE is funny? Actually, I'll see where you go with the first two first.
Just because you're at a talk show, you think you have to laugh like a brain dead idiot? Most people laugh because something is funny not just because they're at a "funny location" @@t-rozbenouameur5304
@@t-rozbenouameur5304He was probably trying to give Michael the biggest platform possible so that this apology could have the largest reach. And people are not stupid, once they saw they were not joking they stopped laughing.
One of the most awkward apologies in the history of television? That weird thing between comedy and drama. The delivery of both Seinfeld and Richards is weird because they are trying to be serious but the style of the delivery seems like it's some kind of skit and the audience just doesn't know how to react. It's very strange, which makes it so awkward. It might of helped Richards out more if he'd written a clear and coherent apology rather than just ramble on.
It seemed strange because it was so real in a context that is normally scripted and artificial. It was almost like Andy Kaufman except he really meant what he was saying.
@@capoislamort100 now I'm imagining what it would be like if it cut to him and he had 4 adopted African kids with him. "You see how sorry I am?! See I can't be racist. Come on"
@@chrismac4441 come to think of it, that’d probably be a bad idea. he might start calling them the N word when they make him angry. Then after, say that a “freight train went through me….” Or some stupid shit! He strikes me as someone who is totally unaware of himself.
@@capoislamort100 When he did the first joke, I thought he was just trying to be edgy and it backfired. Like that sort of "oh shit, can he say that?" kind of comedy. Then he just kept going and shouting the N word all over the place. Daaaaamn Kramer. That's....that is fucked man.
Keep in mind that this was back in 2006. Social media was just in its infancy so I assume most people in the audience didn't know about what took place in that comedy club. And given that it's Letterman, they just assumed it was a comedy bit.
That's literally the word in french, probably in other languages too, it's not wrong just because you're used to the whole word. So, be upset about bigger issues.
@@freddyvidz people getting upset because they think afro refers to their hairstyle, it's a genuine and proper way of saying African American, this reminds me of when ladies get mad because someone says guys or mankind, mankind specifically is a word that represents all of huMAN kind. But since they don't know that and they don't put thought into it they just get offended. Just as individuals here get offended at Afro-American
Fuck him for that. Of course it's funny for a guy apologizing for a racist tirade to keep saying "blacks". And fuck these rich TV stars acting like their moral superiority is actually what's at stake here.
TBH The situation was pretty weird. Its a talk show, which is usually comedic. You have 3 comedians on the show and then all of a sudden you introduce a serious segment with awkward silences. They're not laughing because its funny its just that situation is awkward. If this was on CNN or if the apology was setup a little better, maybe people wouldn't have laughed.
It would have gone okay if they gave it more context before Richards appeared. They did the whole "We've got him live on satellite..." which is how they usually open comedy bits. If Letterman or Seinfeld took 15 seconds before Richards appeared to say "We've got Michael Richards. He wants to address what happened. This is serious, and not a bit," it would have been fine.
I was 8 when this happened, and I remember being so confused because my parents wouldn’t tell me what he said, and I remember watching this exact interview with my Dad and even more confused why people were laughing
00:52 Seinfeld's big, innocent eyes as he says "I think even he's a little bit mystified..." as if his racist friend's racist tirade just came out of his mouth without intention, like a tornado or other natural disaster.
As the Bible says ALL have sinned a come short of the glory of God. Forgiveness is not so much for the other person which that’s important but for our own well being. Psychiatrist have discovered when a person holds on to grudges and or don’t forgive it reduces the serotonin in the brain and can lead to clinical depression and or anxiety. Hulk Hogan used the N word but got a free pass so what’s different about Michael Richards. We all make mistakes because we’re human. Governor George Wallace was known as a racist (actually he was in love with politics) and he was forgiven by the black community so why does Michael Richards get a bum rap. There are also many black racist that hate white people simply because there white and nothing else.
Jerry is loyal for emotionally supporting a distraught Michael, while also being honest in telling Michael that what he did was unjustified. What more could you want in a friend?
No kidding. Well said by the way. Many people in today’s age would distance themselves as far as possible. He didn’t condone the behavior he used his platform/influence to give his friend a chance to explain himself instead of promoting whatever he had going on at the time. Imagine if this happened today, Michael would have been crucified in the streets. Oh how we’ve changed for the worse. Sad.
Everybody talks about how Jerry is such a good friend, and that's true, but let's give Dave some credit here, too. Not every talk show host would be willing to give this guy a platform to genuinely apologize, especially in the thick of it.
Yes and no. For Letterman, you are certainly correct that it was a gamble. Lesser-known hosts would gobble up the chance to bring this kind of controversy and buzz to their show.
@@robertbouley7697 Yeah, but they would have made a spectacle of it. Dave showed a somewhat profound amount of restraint here (by theoretical comparison).
STOP LAUGHING.... IT'S NOT FUNNY! then the 2nd time (when the audience really WAS AVIN A GIGGLE M8, you can see kramer realize that he fucked up by doing this)
Jerry telling people to stop laughing honestly feels like a sarcastic line from the show, thus making it funnier. Whenever someone says "stop laughing, it's not funny" you know they are trying to hold in their own laughter.
“Stop laughing, this is not funny.”
Funnier than Unfrosted.
It was gold Jerry! GOLD!
You're garbage
IS ANYONE HERE A MARINE BIOLOGIST
The audience just sees this as a live Seinfeld episode
Mindless robots
@@thepossessor No, they're the audience who thinks it's a live Seinfeld episode
Indeed. Michael Richards always played that "spastic weirdo". From "UHF" to "The Michael Richards Show". He always played that character. That's why he failed that night because he wasn't a stand-up comedian. He was more of a sketch comedy actor. And even if he was a "stand up" before "Fridays", he should've spent some time in a rural comedy club honing his act before hitting LA.
Yep!!!
@@thepossessor you missed the point
"Stop laughing, its not funny" *que Seinfeld bass*
Tom Peters that line made the whole interview
ha!
“Who are these people????”
Seinfeld's such a whiny bitch. Implicit in his demand is the thought that he knows better than anyone in the audience and that his feelings should dictate how they receive this ridiculous charade. He fuckin' brought it on himself. He's almost as much of a joke as Kramer, and he can get fucked.
@@tiny_toilet he has revealed himself to be pretty insufferable as a person in his recent career. Out of touch and bitchy. But I definitely think he is on the spectrum too, which he was the first to suggest.
"Stop laughing, this is not funny."
Directed by Robert B. Weide
*cue Curb theme
This has to be the most awkward damage control in television history.
I can't watch past the "stop laughing" part. I just can't.
@@huesos_azules i know right, the cringe level is out of control
This didn't help him much because how can you explain what you said? Whether your racist or not you just don't say things like that.
@UCPmkhtUvHXnMnqb3zPj-roA I love Seinfeld but Jerry seems to have evolved into a whiney bitch
How do you apologize for saying words some people find offensive?
There words. Are you like 10
He got more laughs trying to apologize than he did on stage during his act
He's awful as a comedian and tbh he was my least favourite Seinfeld character.
@@antichavista82 yh bullshit Kramer is the best
He basically got humiliated for apologizing.
zappafan82 Fuck u. Kramer gang for life
@@antichavista82 Tbh, they did talk during his standup. Heckling is an offense punishable by any means necessary. The hecklers should have apologized to Micheal Richards.
"Said some pretty nasty things to some Afro-Americans" his delivery here is so unintentionally funny. Holy shit
and everyone was laughing too. he just seems out of touch personally with society. like maybe he has some genuine mental issues. I've always thought he was a little too kooky for it to just be acting. he's just out of touch. I don't think he's a racist or anything.
Was it funny though?
@showbizonastick lmao... I love reading this and make 125K/year selling services to you.
What is he apologizing to Bob Ross?
I literally see nothing funny about it.
*bursts in*
“Oh man, Jerry. This is bad. This is REAAAAL bad.”
“What’s bad?”
“I said it, Jerry. I said it a bunch of times.”
“You said what?”
“It! I said it!”
“You said IT? Why?! You never say it.”
Hahaha this is how it would’ve been on Seinfeld 100%
Wow just pictured the scene in Jerry's apartment
Same, totally how it would be on Seinfeld. xd
Jerry: Didn't you call me an anti-dentite that one time?
Kramer: I'm sorry, Jerry. I'm sorry..... It flashed out of me.... I'll make it up to you, buddy.
The N word Jerry! I saw red! The rage took over me! I pushed the envelope Jerry! I’m mot a racist!!
"I said some bad things to some Afro-Americans." *Crowd starts to chuckle.* Lmao
Yeah that part was funny af
And when Dave asked "Were they actually heckling or just talking thru your act"
Kramer- "yeah that was going on too"
then he pivots to calling them the blacks
hey man. hims just tryin to do the best he cans. no reason to be so means man. cmon. think about it next time.😀
@@ClaimClam and "Afro-American" dude is a racist. And the funny thing he says it anger.
Going from the laugh factory clip to this apology is genuinely hilarious
hilarious in a comedic way? why? this is quite a serious matter
@@hyfr5053 is it?
@@hyfr5053it happened 20 years ago
@@hyfr5053 probably just the sudden change of rage, showing his true colors and then going on this show with such a half crap apology is hilarious, can't believe I never saw this till now
Stop laughing. It's not funny.
If I ever auditioned for an acting role, I would do this as a monologue.
Absolute genius. I would hire you.
Meaning his set at the Laugh Factory?
@@vinnyhaddad kek
Yep..genius
Big brain
This plays like an Andy Kaufman bit.
He has a bit of that Kaufman style, which is why I think a lot of people weren't sure if it was intended to be a bit or not
Totally! Nailed it man, the whole thing could have been an orchestrated bit. It wasn't, but it feels like it should be.
@@MrIanWebb How do we know? Letterman involvement? Check. Misunderstood goofy sitcom star? Check. Eventual disappearance from the public eye? Checkmate.
@@joepermenter7228 Maybe not, though: Slap by pro wrestler? No check.
@@bwilliams463 All Jerry had to do was throw a fork at a camera and it would have enhanced the Kaufman bit by a million in shock factor. I wish he would have in retrospect.
“You’re awful letterman you played my video invited me on the show you just wanted to make fun of me”
I'm awful? How am I awful? Look at what happened because of what you said, what it lead to. 3 black men had their feelings hurt and you're laughing, you're laughing about it.
how about one mere joke letterman...
Maaaan this is just like the Joker
"You get what you FCKING DESERVE!"
Love this thread lol
Imagine being one of the highest paid comedians and telling people “Stop laughing”.
@@sammyboy8102 why?
I don't have anything against Jerry Seinfeld but maybe there's something I don't know? 🤷♂️ I was just going to add that I think he is by far the highest paid comedian... Maybe even of all time, or so far?
Seinfeld is by far the highest grossing sitcom that has ever aired in the United States and have you heard the rumors about how much he got paid for the Netflix special??
I'm not sure how true this is but, I read somewhere that they offered him an extra 10 million to do the helicopter jump in the beginning. He agreed but only if he got to choose his trainer length of training helicopter and pilot. 😁
*Smart
I think there's a reason this gentleman is so well-paid.
As far as the other commenter here I wonder what Jerry did to him or her?
@@davids.3584 "Scumbag" is an overstatement, but it is pretty well-known that Seinfeld is not warm with people outside his orbit. He doesn't like fans coming up to him. He makes fun of everything, which some people find insulting and disingenuous. He's basically the anti-Tom Hanks (or Bizarro Tom Hanks, if you will).
Having said that, I've never heard of him really doing anything terrible. He dated a teenager when he was 38, which is pretty bizarre, but they dated for four years, so...I don't know. It's weird, but you don't hear stories of Seinfeld being cruel or sexually assaulting people, etc. None of the stuff that worst famous people do.
The context asked for that. The situation was misleading
@@davids.3584 Dated a teenager when he was the same as her dad could be, in fact he did look like he was her dad
He was just so good at being Kramer that it’s nearly impossible to see him as anything else.
Never bothered with Seinfeld so I just see a dude.
I was a kid/teen in the 90s and at the time the show was boring to me.
I'm watching it now on Netflix to see what I missed.
@@sacr3 I’m a huge fan but I don’t get mad when people say they don’t like it or it’s boring. I can understand how they see that. There’s literally no story line and some of the acting is pretty bad. But I’ve always felt that the combination of the material and the bad acting made it even funnier.
@@justinwilson1359 hey I'll probably love it, was popular for a reason! I'm not so much into today's sitcoms, cringe worthy most of em.
@@justinwilson1359 Jerry is not a good actor at all. Other than that, everyone is exceptional. Julia, Michael, and Jason are absolutely mind-blowing with their acting.
@@yougood809 I don’t disagree, he wasn’t a great actor. But in my opinion, his lack of acting skills ironically made the scenes funnier
“How you doin’ “? “I’m not doing too good”. -Cue the laugh track-
Fart sound would of been hilarious 😂😂😂
This was fucking awkward in every conceivable way, the laughter, the subject matter, Jerry telling people not to laugh, Michael being via satellite and just talking and talking into oblivion, and the awkward silences in between. It's almost beautiful.
Plus David Letterman stuttering & stammering before this. He made it seem like this was a bit.
@@michaelball4595 Lmao the folksy way Letterman described the incident had me weak. These days we'd be pretty explicit and say "X actor went on a racist rampage and said the N word" but back then it was just "So what's this he goes crazy in this club or something?"
@@michaelball4595Letterman always stuttered and stammered. Lol
to be fair, the laughter was only in the beginning, maybe those few weren't informed about the situation. it's not something that you can control just like that and therefore you can't really blame Michael for it. and it doesn't make the said words less valuable.
I thought it was an honest apology and a plausible explanation of what happened. He did the right thing that had to be done in my opinion.
@@hyfr5053 ... Unfortunately for Michael, no amount of apology will give you full 100% redemption & forgiveness, especially with the subject matter of angry racist ranting. He retired soon thereafter. And The Michael Richards Show he tried to do, post-Seinfeld, years before this incident did not help either, as that show bombed.
Could he pick a worse place to apologize? smh
justin chiampa I think the fact that his friend Jerry was there is what drew him to Letterman that night. Had Jerry not been there, it probably would have been Today Show or something. Probably a better idea.
justin chiampa The whole thing looked like a skit from SNL.
Charlie Rose?
James Prom That might have been better I think
Any American university campus?
Audience "lol"
Seinfeld "Stop Laughing its not funny"
Audience "lololololol Bwahahahaha!"
parrots
@lanzacash Why?
@lanzacash I mean he sounds condescending, but the audience is stupid anyway
@@3numbers333 ruclips.net/video/4dgnlL6vrQc/видео.html
He's condescending because everyone is laughing when someone is trying to apologize over racial slurs that he made during an act. Michael basically said that back then he could have hung them from a tree and pitched them with a fork, having people laugh while you apologize is ignorant , insensitive, and appalling. Jerry as a Jewish man can see what's wrong with the picture of someone apologizing over racial comments against certain people and the torture they had to go through, and idiots not paying attention to the actual fact that there was hate in what he said and that those things that happened are no laughing matter. THAT is where Jerry's attitude is coming from.
"I'm not even a racist that's the insane thing about all of this"
I'm crying bro
He grew up during an era in which blatant and legal racism actually existed. As in, segregation: separate schools, restaurants, bathrooms, etc. for blacks vs. whites. That's what he means. It's not a "trust me, bro."
He a rascist
If you ever have to say “I’m not even a racist”, you might need to do some introspection
@@AgitpropPsyopI believe he's not racist
@@cruzgomes5660but he remembered exactly the number of years black people were oppressed
"Jerry! Ooooohh I messed up BIG TIME now Jerry. BIG TIME!"
Giddy up
Newman, lol, would be DISGUSTED.
This is hard to watch.
No kidding
We all make mistakes. He was definitely on a rage rant. It may never recover his career but at the end of the day we're still human. Still, it was wrong. However, we say things we don't mean when angry.
Man, I mean!
@@clamshell6863 We all make mistakes, yes. But what he did is unforgivable. Period.
@@RustySh4ckleford overly dramatic much? Black comics do worse every day about white people and other groups. It is easily forgivable, and unlike the black comics, at least he has the humility to apologize.
"I'm not a racist but it just fires out of me".. sounds like something kramer would say
"Afro-American" was an unfortunate choice of words.
Yeah
I don't like the term African American. It became popular maybe 30 years ago to make stereotypes sound academic. Then I've heard white British children call black British people African American. I pointed it out to a kid that is makes no sense so he asked what he should call them. I said "why don't you ask people what they want to be called?"
Its a way to segregate people of the same nationality. Americans are American regardless of their skin color. All Americans should stand for the national anthem.@@jawz101_fpv7
That’s what black Americans like to be called
And he said it a few different times. I was surprised that he actually said that ( instead of " African Americans").
Yeeeesssss, let the cringe flow through you.
+Michael Collins - It was brutal. Train wreck. Should have videotaped something.
+Michael Collins Up the 'Ra
+Michael Collins I literally cannot finish watching this, I've tried over the years but never been able to lol so much cringe. The show did that on purpose with the long pauses and Dave's condescending delivery.
right? lol
🤣🤣
Honestly, he should've done this on Stern instead. The audience was so confused.
Or Oprah.
As Kramer to start with.
Stern would have been in blackface!
Stern would have been interested and engaged. Letterman kinda just let Richards flail around quite a bit, not fun to watch and certainly not anything approaching proper comedy, either, except the absurdity of making such a deep apology on a show like Letterman's, which is about as irreverent as late night shows come.
Personal work mean less racist talk.
The problem with Jerry Seinfeld is that he's a real person and a character on a sitcom played by the real person. It's very hard for people to separate the two. When Jerry talks, we subconsciously think it's the guy who lives in a New York apartment and has these wacky people around him that he observes. Especially considering the Jerry from the sitcom was a comedian too and went on talk shows himself. Then you throw in someone else from the show in the mix and you feel like you're watching a Seinfeld episode.
No, the problem is if people actually think anyone in Hollyweird is a real person.
You can't tell the difference between real life and TV?
Is that what you took from what I said?
@@sandhanitizer15 After having watched the comedy club situation, I would have laughed here too. This shit was hilarious
@@FredGSanford. well I know _you’re_ not a real person from your use of the term “Hollyweird”. Go back to Cybertron-7, you NPC robot. You -> 🐑 _”Baaaaa”_
It’s about as good of an apology as I expected from him, but when he mentioned that “perhaps this isn’t the right venue”, that nailed it. The crowd expected humor and it’s like someone snickering at a funeral.
Yeah, it was the wrong venue, cuz late night shows are so scripted that everyone expects a clip moment to be comedic especially with a comedic host and guest. Larry King Live or Oprah show would've been the right place for a public apology. Also this was before smart phones existed and the majority of the country was not watching online videos everyday, the incident happened only a couple days before. In fact it was one of the 1st famous "viral" cell phone videos of someone on stage, I bet 90% of people didn't even know about it yet.
His apology actually was better after he said that.
by his body language he is very tense but also i believe it's real. the apology
It's nothing like that at all LOL. A guy from a comedy show did something dumb, and then something else dumb (this stupid apology). Also, the words he was saying were fucking funny. Afro Americans? Trash Talk? it's funny.
Lmao
That whole thing was so surreal. He's a comedian. You're supposed to laugh at him. I don't blame the audience for not picking up on the fact that they were being serious. The whole thing was just totally bizarre.
Right?? I remember when this happened, it was a HUGE deal. Imagine these days? These f'n SJW's would have his head on a stake!! Honestly, his tirade was NOTHING compared to anything we have seen since. It's a good example of how the world has changed. Racism is worse now than it was back then...yet they have all these "SJW" kiddos out there making it seem like it's MUCH worse than it is. The act like we're in the 1960's and still had segregation. My beef with the SJW's is that they don't know how to be subtle at all, nor can they take a joke. I hate how there is this belief that "everyone needs to be represented (to make up for the past) and we have to have "x amount of 'this race" to make sure they feel included! To hell with realism or historical accuracy in movies...as long as nobody feels left out!
@@ShockerTopper wait... you say racism is worse now yet think EES JAY DOUBLEYOOS make a big deal about it? what the fuck...?
Tyler Bergen Calm down. The SJWs really trigger you.
They did “have his head on a stake” - he never worked again after this.
@@matty6878 What?
I think the awkward aire to everything could have been what compelled the audience to laugh. And honestly his delivery doesn’t help 😂 I get that it’s probably hard to come out on national television and from the looks of it just ramble on about being sorry for something you did.
He played this all wrong. He should have come on in character with Jackie Chiles defending him.
Luke Beacon Jackie Chiles, "We can make some money off of this."
It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous!
lmao
Luke Beacon 😂
“The N-bomb? Who told you to drop the N-bomb?! I didn’t tell you to drop the N-bomb!”
They should have played the Seinfeld bass line after Afro-American
Badunk, Badunk, Badunk. Ha Ha! That would be rad!
*freeze frame*
Executive Producer: Larry David
Why? It's a term that was used as politically correct. I could care less about blacks getting offended.
@@kevinsedwards you mean you couldn't care less. Because no one still used that term in the 90's and it's hilariously out of touch.
@@Profile.4 Out of touch as in derogatory?
This was so soon after the Laugh Factory incident that most of the audience probably didn't know what he did yet.
They heard it lol this spread like Taylor swift leaked her nudes lol
If that was the case he wouldn’t have felt the need to go on national television and apologize
Bizarre, offbeat but hilarious tenth-season opener. Pretty daring strong stuff, even for Larry David. Definitely set the tone for what would be the series most unexpected and atypical, to say the least, season. Dark, twisted, brilliantly conceived companion piece to the previous season's "The Merv Griffin Show" (Episode 6).
Funniest comment on here
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
Apex kek. Underrated comment.
This is the first time I've seen an episode of Seinfeld turn into an episode of Curb.
the way we've been conditioned by sitcoms to laugh when there's a pause or when something is said that isn't deliberately a joke, but just sounds out of place in a normal dialogue is honestly fascinating especially because we literally only see this guy as Cosmo Kramer so people pretty much do not care
The whole thing is set up like a comedy bit with the whole "We have Michael Richards here via satellite" They'd do sketches that started that way all the time. so I don't blame the audience for not knowing what to expect. Also, Dave says he's hearing news of this "today" so it's likely so recent the audience hadn't even heard about the tirade anywhere else. They probably thought this was another awkward Kaufman-style stunt that the Letterman show was known for. The choice to apologize on that show in particular was a mistake.
It's just funny, stupid
@@ataraxxxI don't think it was the show so much as the timing. The use of the term "Afro-Americans" also didn't do him any favors, although he meant well by it.
@@ignatiusjackson235 If this was on Oprah or Sally I don't believe it would draw quite the same laughter. They'd set a more serious tone. Plus Letterman was "live" and he clearly didn't rehearse the apology beyond the bullet points.
I've never watched Seinfeld or Kramer and this is funny as hell.
Jerry telling people "it's not funny" when it's literally the funniest ever. Kramer was pouring his heart out and everyone was laughing!
Kramer. 😂😂😂😂
It's hilarious.
Haha Jerry such a cu**!! He was doing damage control for DVD sales...This was hilarious...wish i was in the audience
They should've played the Seifeld slap bass over the whole thing
I think the event literally happened that day and a lot of people may not have even heard what happened. If I was in the audience with no prior knowledge and I saw 2 comedians I would have thought it was a bit. So I can understand people laughing
This was seriously one of the most awkward, illconceived moments in tv history. Letterman was probably the WORST possible place for them to do this apology. The audience was totally correct in laughing because THEY'RE AT A COMEDY SHOW. Any reasonable person would've assumed they were doing a bit of some kind. Other than 911, when has Letterman ever had an "in all seriousness" moment? Leno would've been a way better choice. And I understand the fact that Jerry was already scheduled on Letterman that night but then just mention it, and have Richards on Leno instead.
No other talk show host had balls the size of Letterman. You think Leno would've run this on his show? No chance. Also, people at NBC are known to distance themselves from controversial things such as this.
A bit really?! Would’ve been a distasteful one
Dumbest comment i've ever seen... Letterman's whole schtick often involved "in all seriousness" moments: often spending large amounts of time on desk pieces commentating on death, morality, infidelity, etc. Leno on the other hand is an absolute hack.
A talk show - even one hosted by a 'comedic' type - isnt always comedic, or trying to be. Consider how often they have politicians, authors and other people in fields outside of comedy as guests.
He did have a kind of serious moment....ish? When he admitted to having sexual relationships with his female staff, however I'm not even sure if that could be considered serious considering he made jokes throughout it.
I think they laughed cause he said “afroamericans”
Gee are you sure? 🤣😂
And it was extremely uncomfortable
it’s a perfectly acceptable shorthand for a common, respectful term used widely since at least the 1980s, and even has a hairdo named after it.
@@Sam_T2000 that crowd doesn’t agree with you at all.
@@feny8 - well the crowd is dumb. I’m a millennial, and even I know the term… ever heard the term “Afro-Cuban” or “Afro-Brazilian”? maybe “Afro-American” was a little out-of-style at the time, but so what?
“Stop laughing, it’s not funny”
- says the funny man
Jerry Seinfeld is a loyal friend. Not only did he share air time with a man half the country hated at that moment but he also made it clear they are still friends and stood up for Michael's character as a person. Even told the crowd to stop laughing it's not funny while Michael was trying to explain and apologize.
Well Jerry also had a 17 year old girlfriend when he was going on 40. Would pick her up from high school and everything. It seems like birds of an immoral feather flock together
@@katie-gf5wq TIL- Jerry was friends with a 17 y.o. female and started openly dating shortly after she turned 18. According to both her and Jerry, no sexual encounters happened until after she turned 18. Gotta admit that is kind of weird from my point of view.
@@zachall3165 thats bs lol they definitely did a trial run before she turned 18. Jerry is disgusting for that
@@katie-gf5wq Just shut up. You dont even know the truth behind it
loyal friend shitty person
It would have been hilarious if he went off on the audience for laughing at him.
Would have been funny if he called them the same thing 😂😂
@@boltzmannbrain6607 in the middle of his apology lmao I'm dying
STOP LAUGHING U DAMN N'S!!! I'd be dead
Omg right? Just starts screaming the n word at letterman
“I’m not a racist. But it comes through and fires out of me”...man he’s hilarious
Right?! 😂
Not hillarous at all
@@dogdam2002 Racism isn't funny, but that logic really is. Like, if he's not racist why does this stuff fire out of him? It's an absurd concept.
@@dogdam2002 of course its hilarious Its Cosmo yelling at some dumb hecklers
@@jermyhopkisn9654 If you get mad at a fat guy you will start to insult him by saying he is a fat fuck, same thing here.
For those that don’t remember, the actual reason this Incredibly awkward interview occurred was because the Seinfeld Complete Series DVD box set was being released about the same time, so the studio sent them on a damage-control tour to try to salvage sales.
I can only imagine the screaming and yelling at the studio when the news broke on TMZ. Horrorshow.
DING DING DING!!!
Yeah, Jerry Seinfeld was definitely humiliating himself for Michael Richards, and it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't tied to the absolute highest high of his career.
It's been said out loud more and more recently... Jerry Seinfeld is a mediocre comedian who happened to be good friends with a comedy genius named Larry David. Without Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld's career would have been Letterman and Leno appearances, at best.
@@heavydfunkJerry always struck me as a great observer who looks at the idiosyncrasies of everyday people, in a similar vein to George Carlin. But he doesn't quite have the warmth or verbal wit of George, so a lot of his stuff just leaves me cold.
That sounds like an episode of curb of your enthusiasm
Jerry’s apology for Kramer was more sympathetic than Kramer’s apology for himself.
Michael Richards apology felt like Kramer was the one who was giving the apology. L
Word
@@limpwhale because he's naturally funny
I felt his sincerity, as a Black American but I can’t speak for the actual people he was ranting to, and how they may feel. It’s just terrible how a funny individual such as himself ruined his career over anger.
lol @ people calling him kramer
This is the worst fucking apology in history.
Who.. why did they think The Tonight Show would be a good idea.
"How ya doing Michael"
"Im uh.. I'm not doing so good"
No shit lmao
Good thing this isn't the tonight show
+teamworkformyfrainds Catherine zeta jones. she deeps beneath the lasers. I ooh oh ooh
Afro American
Yeah, I winced when he said that.
Definitely not a term to use to apologize to members of the black community.
Yep not great.... just leave afros outta it
I was like.... WUT!?
👁_👁
@@writersblock26
Is the term
Afro American wrong?
Let's reverse it and say the Caucasian American.
Anything wrong
@@coasteyscoasteys you either say coloured or black community.. these are absolutely fine used in respectful conversations
He was shattered over it because he knows he destroyed his career in one night. I'm a black man and honestly I have nothing against him, I forgive him. Sometimes when I get angry, feel disrespected, things come out of my mouth that I don't mean and I instantly regret, nothing racial but it was still awful. I hope he got the help he desperately needed.
His remorse for his actions seemed very genuine and I think he deserved to be forgiven, but showbiz had other plans.
I don't think he needs "help," he just needs to work on controlling his anger. I get super angry too and I'm made some extremely offensive comments, but I usually do it under my breath or in a way that people can't hear me. often times, I'll make a rude comment on youtube then come back later to erase it. too bad Kramer couldn't do the same. also, I've experienced racism myself and it sucks, but it's not the end of the world.
Nah, "fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a fork in your ass!"
Simply being mad doesn't account for his choosing to describe how he'd lynch a black man like they used to. Fuck your forgiveness.
He didn't need any help
U forgive him...what a duhmmy...this is why they act like this towards us u idiot
1:05 seinfeld smiles also but then goes back to serious mode
King
That's why he told the audience to stop laughing, because it would have been harder for him to hold in his laugh.
classic jerry
@@Carmellamella23 lmaoooo
This so completely backfired. Not the right venue, not the right platform, just a big bowlful of wrong. It's embarrassing to even watch. RIP Michael Richards' career.
His career wasn't flourishing by the time of this rant anyways.
What a sweetheart Jerry is for trying, though.
I don't think so at all. The audience just needed a while to understand how serious Richards was and he was able to get his genuine emotions of remorse across.
uh, is there a RIGHT venue to yell racists derogatory terms at your audience in a fit of rage?
@@matty6878 Yes, ever heard of Xbox Live?
As an Afro-American, me and my afro were extremely offended by Kramer's words
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Lol your Afro got offended lol?
@@FreddyJenkins it a joke
Your name is fucking hilarious too. I joke about that Connery thing every day.
I’m very sad that my latent racism came out in such a public way
Fr. "I'm not racist"
My brother u hard R'd many times with a few breaks in between and justified by saying that's what u get for interrupting the white man
"stop laughing" actually makes me laugh even more irl
@Daniel Huizar Dude....just stop..
@Daniel Huizar Weak. You're weak.
@Daniel Huizar dang guess you really got me with your weak ass insults
@Daniel Huizar you've clearly never had your ass kicked and it shows
Jesus get a life.
[Uncle Leo comes out]
"STOP THE SHOW!!!!"
Hilarious comment
This needs a thousand likes
"She's on a very fixed income!"
Some say "The Contest", others say "The Puffy Shirt", but this will always be my favorite episode of Seinfeld. Comedy gold right here.
This isn’t a joke bro
@@spartinyo this was funny af
“Directed by Robert D. Weide.”
@@47ejecting2
You can actually hear Letterman trying not to laugh right after that as he inhales.
@@spartinyo yes it is
1:36 the way Jerry said that 😂😂
I remember when this aired I had no idea what richards had said.
Totally thought it was gonna be a comedy bit, then i was just confused.
Really this is one of the most awkward things that I've ever seen, especially live.
Exactly. The date of the filming and when the general public knew caused the audience to be completely bewildered by it. Not to mention that news traveled fast, but not twitter fast for the average person.
At one point he even tried to say like "this feels like the wrong place to be apologizing for this stuff" but then no one responds and he just keeps talking and talking into a hole
No hole. The audience claps at the end. You guys are just projecting your own wussiness.
@@daithiocinnsealach1982 Because they thought it was a funny skit! And they didn't take him seriously. Seems like Jerry and Kramer were the ones crying about people laughing. Maybe you can drive a little tears out, young lady.
“I’m not a racist, it just fired out of me” lmao
Sometimes when I am lonely I will shave one leg so it feels like I’m sleeping with a woman 👩🏼
I'm not racist I just play one on stage
@@chriswinansee8203 yeah but the thing is he actually isn't racist though
@@johngilliam6764...yes he is
The first thing out your mouth is N-word. That is in his heart.
"Didn't you know not to interrupt a white man"......what????
Why wld he say that, if he didn't believe that. Blacks are beneath me.....oh plzzzz
@@flowforever9084 Exactly. He was probably on drugs when he did his stand up & it lowered his inhibitions.
If Seinfeld wanted people to stop laughing, he should have done one of his own sets.
Hell yeah! His whole career was built off his costars and Larry David! He doesn't know how to tell a joke.
@@rancebradley9141 You’re basing your opinion of Larry David on one episode from 26 years ago?
@@101criticalthinker😂 yet he’s a millionaire that put HIS name on HIS show and brought all the actors/actresses to it. 100s of comedy shows and he still sells out concert halls and theaters yet he can’t tell a joke? Tell me you’re jealous without telling me… I guess all of those people on Jerry Springer made him too right and not the fact that he brought them on the show and knew how to entertain a live audience? You’re a goddamn looney tard
@scottymiller93 yeah, he can't tell a joke or act. He's not funny.
@@101criticalthinkerI love how my comment got deleted by the poster 😂 you don’t have to think he’s funny. Millions of people around the world will disagree with you … if you don’t like Jews you can just say it loser
Having a friend like Jerry is worth its weight in gold.
Gold, Jerry! Gold!
@@DeltronFF🪙🪙🪙🪙🪙
Is this an antisemitic joke?
In order to let out the bad air, Michael Richards should get a Comedy Central Roast. It should be full of lots of different comics of a range of diversity. This would address the elephant in the room, show that he can be insulted without resulting in racial slurs, and show that he's moved on from it.
You actually have a good ass idea. I can't believe no one liked or commented. As a black/spanish woman with a german partner. I fucking love this idea to ease tension.
liquidsolidsnake01 Although I like the idea, I don't know that he's the kind of person for that. Have you ever seen Seinfeld bloopers? He's a super serious actor, and I assume, person and people like that don't respond well to public ball-busting etc. I wonder what that would be like though!
Dude, that's a great idea!
Jeff Ross to the rescue, once again!
RIP Greg Giraldo!
Dude, great idea.
That's a good idea....🤔 Jerry could be roast master. Gotta have the roastmaster general of course Jeff Ross. Who else could be on the dais?
Jerry is honestly a great friend. I think he handles this situation with excellent taste
Would have been very easy to just turn his back on him
Please. Jerry was just protecting an investment because Seinfeld wasn't out on DVD yet. psh. He was smoothing over his future money. You think Seinfeld fucks w this guy today?
@@WaldoBagelTopper they’re known to be really close friends even today, yes
@@WaldoBagelTopper People still watched reruns of Seinfeld on TV during this time. People would still buy the DVDs. The show is funny. Just because one actor on it turned out to be an asshole doesn't mean people will just tune it out completely. Fuck that kind of thinking.
@@WaldoBagelTopper He did his show years later and they talked about it, Michael thanks him for never turning his back on him over the years since the incident.
He was acting like Kramer, the head bob, so of course they were laughing. He’s a hard guy to take seriously lol
I wish I saw this live on letterman. This is crazy. It's both one of the funniest and saddest late night moments I've seen
I saw it live when I was 17. I thought the entire thing was an elaborate joke, ala Andy Kaufman.
@@trevorsolis3717 true, richards and kaufman don't belong in the same convo
I don’t think he worked since. He has such rage he scared me 🤮
What's the DEAL with these blacks? I mean who ARE these people?
LMFAOO
I'm blown away by how little he prepared for this
No kidding. He should have had that speech memorized.
"Stop laughing - it's not funny" Lmao Yes it is Jerry.
There was absolutely nothing funny about this. At. All.
@@dt8787 It's hilarious. He goes on Letterman to apologise for a racist outburst on stage. It's inherently funny.
@@RobWright1981 No, it's childish.
@@RobWright1981 More like inherently stupid.
@@dt8787 What's childish? A famous man flipping out on stage, calling people the n word? That will never not be funny. Know what else will never not be funny? Thinking Letterman is a good place to apologise. Know what ELSE is funny? Actually, I'll see where you go with the first two first.
He should have showed up on the screen alongside his lawyer, Jackie Chiles. Everyone would have forgiven him instantly.
Who told you to say the n-word?
I didn't tell you to say the n-word!
@@frarfarf multiple times.
I didn't tell you to say it. Did the maestro tell you to say it?😂
"your FACE, is my CASE!"
Lol
Jerry saying, “stop laughing”, is just too good
Jerry seinfeld was clueless too about this otherwise he would have known this was not the place to do this.
@@pluckyplucksterhe expects the audience not to laugh on Letterman wtf
Just because you're at a talk show, you think you have to laugh like a brain dead idiot? Most people laugh because something is funny not just because they're at a "funny location"
@@t-rozbenouameur5304
@@t-rozbenouameur5304He was probably trying to give Michael the biggest platform possible so that this apology could have the largest reach. And people are not stupid, once they saw they were not joking they stopped laughing.
pretty awkward television........
seeing Jerry Seinfeld saying "stop laughing its not funny"
Don’t see that everyday
The only funny thing Jerry Seinfeld ever did
He is soooooo lost. I think Lettermans instagating.. "stop laughing, it's not funny" (Jerry). lmao.
He is such a character... He gave us all such an impression of him as Kramer that its hard to see him as any other way.
Exactly
One of the most awkward apologies in the history of television? That weird thing between comedy and drama. The delivery of both Seinfeld and Richards is weird because they are trying to be serious but the style of the delivery seems like it's some kind of skit and the audience just doesn't know how to react. It's very strange, which makes it so awkward. It might of helped Richards out more if he'd written a clear and coherent apology rather than just ramble on.
It seemed strange because it was so real in a context that is normally scripted and artificial. It was almost like Andy Kaufman except he really meant what he was saying.
@@nathantorrence Yes a very kaufmanesque energy about the whole thing I agree.
This is honestly the funniest Jerry has ever been.
Maybe Kramer should offer himself as a butler to the folks he burst out against
Or go to afrika and adopt an orphan, either way he didn’t do enough to atone for that fuckup!!
@@capoislamort100 now I'm imagining what it would be like if it cut to him and he had 4 adopted African kids with him. "You see how sorry I am?! See I can't be racist. Come on"
@@chrismac4441 come to think of it, that’d probably be a bad idea. he might start calling them the N word when they make him angry. Then after, say that a “freight train went through me….” Or some stupid shit! He strikes me as someone who is totally unaware of himself.
@@capoislamort100 When he did the first joke, I thought he was just trying to be edgy and it backfired. Like that sort of "oh shit, can he say that?" kind of comedy. Then he just kept going and shouting the N word all over the place. Daaaaamn Kramer. That's....that is fucked man.
Or do what Bill Burr did and marry an Afro-American
"What's the deal with laughing when my racist friend is trying to apologize?!?"
Shut up lol
Fffaao
Entitlement at its finest.
nah he ain’t racist. if you’re any race other than black, you know they N word
I love the crowd laughter....
Dude the awkward pause at 1:50 is so fucking funny
Keep in mind that this was back in 2006. Social media was just in its infancy so I assume most people in the audience didn't know about what took place in that comedy club. And given that it's Letterman, they just assumed it was a comedy bit.
Yep, cause lots of "afro-americans" watch Letterman to hear this apology.
That's literally the word in french, probably in other languages too, it's not wrong just because you're used to the whole word. So, be upset about bigger issues.
@@HappyAppart They speaking french on Letterman? The people, in America, Richards offended speak french?!?
@@freddyvidz if that's what triggering you, "Afro-American" a legit word, than you need to reassess yourself.
Grow up, think once in a while.
@@sacr3 I don't even think you know what you are talking about.
@@freddyvidz people getting upset because they think afro refers to their hairstyle, it's a genuine and proper way of saying African American, this reminds me of when ladies get mad because someone says guys or mankind, mankind specifically is a word that represents all of huMAN kind.
But since they don't know that and they don't put thought into it they just get offended.
Just as individuals here get offended at Afro-American
“Look to the cookie, Elaine. Look to the cookie”
beautiful!
Lol, they cut back to the studio and Jerry is just eating a Black and White cookie. Hahaha
Cue Kramer driving by the studio with the cigar store Indian in the cab.
Still love kramer.
The way he said "stop laughing, it's not funny" is hilarious.
Fuck him for that. Of course it's funny for a guy apologizing for a racist tirade to keep saying "blacks". And fuck these rich TV stars acting like their moral superiority is actually what's at stake here.
It really was like a school teacher. 😂
TBH The situation was pretty weird. Its a talk show, which is usually comedic. You have 3 comedians on the show and then all of a sudden you introduce a serious segment with awkward silences. They're not laughing because its funny its just that situation is awkward. If this was on CNN or if the apology was setup a little better, maybe people wouldn't have laughed.
It would have gone okay if they gave it more context before Richards appeared. They did the whole "We've got him live on satellite..." which is how they usually open comedy bits. If Letterman or Seinfeld took 15 seconds before Richards appeared to say "We've got Michael Richards. He wants to address what happened. This is serious, and not a bit," it would have been fine.
If they had to clarify at the beginning that it was not a bit i would honestly laugh harder lmao
End of interview
Jerry: “that was good”
Morgan Freeman narration: “It was not good”
😂😂😂
Better than if he hadn't done it at all 🤷♂️
I was 8 when this happened, and I remember being so confused because my parents wouldn’t tell me what he said, and I remember watching this exact interview with my Dad and even more confused why people were laughing
Haha so you were 8 up at mid nite watching this with your parents? Nice I was 15 and remember this well
The fact that people start laughing five seconds into it isn't a good sign
00:52 Seinfeld's big, innocent eyes as he says "I think even he's a little bit mystified..." as if his racist friend's racist tirade just came out of his mouth without intention, like a tornado or other natural disaster.
Call me crazy, but I believe he's sincere with his apology. He seemed extremely torn about it...but then again, he is a professional actor.
He's sorry. What more do you want? He didn't kill anybody.
Dale Chawkins why are you responding to a 13 year old comment? You thought he was waiting all of this time for you? Lol.
@@TayDays1128 yes. I know him. He's my roommate.
@@Abr022575 Tell your roommate to get over it, it's been 13 years!
@@porkwoofles3909 My roommate is Michael Richards.
I kept waiting for Seinfeld lawyer Jackie Chiles to join Michael!
He gets upset easily. He used to get upset at his Seinfeld coworkers when they joked around too much when filming.
completely different situations. Him getting a bit frustrated on set of Seinfeld was more understandable. This, not so much.
Different situations but ugly cousins for sure. The fruits of the heart will always shine through. Where there is smoke there is fire.
As the Bible says ALL have sinned a come short of the glory of God. Forgiveness is not so much for the other person which that’s important but for our own well being. Psychiatrist have discovered when a person holds on to grudges and or don’t forgive it reduces the serotonin in the brain and can lead to clinical depression and or anxiety.
Hulk Hogan used the N word but got a free pass so what’s different about Michael Richards.
We all make mistakes because we’re human.
Governor George Wallace was known as a racist (actually he was in love with politics) and he was forgiven by the black community so why does Michael Richards get a bum rap.
There are also many black racist that hate white people simply because there white and nothing else.
Michael Richards is so damn funny, he can get laughs from an apology.
Overrated grotesk shitty actor.
Was
@@grl9917 is
Jerry is a good friend he stepped up and asked to give this man a second chance, and he talked to him and even apologized on letterman
Jerry is loyal for emotionally supporting a distraught Michael, while also being honest in telling Michael that what he did was unjustified.
What more could you want in a friend?
No kidding. Well said by the way.
Many people in today’s age would distance themselves as far as possible. He didn’t condone the behavior he used his platform/influence to give his friend a chance to explain himself instead of promoting whatever he had going on at the time. Imagine if this happened today, Michael would have been crucified in the streets. Oh how we’ve changed for the worse. Sad.
@@ubernate860 Jerry dated a 17yr old when he was 40
Great guy
@@earthsucks9555 cool story
It was damage control
The "afro-americans" comments definitely didn't help 😆
Everybody talks about how Jerry is such a good friend, and that's true, but let's give Dave some credit here, too. Not every talk show host would be willing to give this guy a platform to genuinely apologize, especially in the thick of it.
Yes and no. For Letterman, you are certainly correct that it was a gamble.
Lesser-known hosts would gobble up the chance to bring this kind of controversy and buzz to their show.
@@robertbouley7697 Yeah, but they would have made a spectacle of it. Dave showed a somewhat profound amount of restraint here (by theoretical comparison).
@@ignatiusjackson235 For sure, this is Dave at his most professional.
All three of them are from the same tribe.
Not nowadays
STOP LAUGHING.... IT'S NOT FUNNY! then the 2nd time (when the audience really WAS AVIN A GIGGLE M8, you can see kramer realize that he fucked up by doing this)
gottalove it when jerry speaks fo him too
and of course dave kills it with "i guess we could just go home now, huh?" =D
Jerry telling people to stop laughing honestly feels like a sarcastic line from the show, thus making it funnier. Whenever someone says "stop laughing, it's not funny" you know they are trying to hold in their own laughter.
you really need to learn to listen to tone my man lol
Shit take
Spoken like a white guy. Just stfu
It sounds nothing like that? If anything he comes of as frustrated because his friend is obviously feeling guilty
Lol do you not understand body language or tone. Jerry was clearly annoyed with the audience, he wasn’t close to laughing