I've spoken to, and received numerous comments from, readers and friends weighing in on the Michael Richards controversy. The polarization of the responses presents further evidence of just how vast is the racial divide in this country, something of which most African Americans no doubt are reminded on a daily basis but that we white folks often forget.
The replies have been pretty much split into three camps:
- "I've noticed that everyone wants to cut Richards a lot more slack than they cut Mel Gibson -- even though Richards didn't even have the booze excuse!"
- "Why is it all right for the black people in the crowd at the Laugh Factory to call Richards a 'Cracker' but it isn't okay for him to refer to them as 'Nigger'?"
- "The man has problems that seem far deeper than a few enraged racial epithets, and at least he tried to apologize immediately on national television."
First, about that apology Monday night on "Late Show with David Letterman": it was positively surreal. Richards, sitting by himself, virtually naked, with nowhere to hide, appeared legitimately bewildered and perplexed, speaking of his own invective-spewing rant as if he were discussing the actions of somebody else. It's clear both on the video shot at the club and during his chilling, disjointed appearance with Letterman that he was experiencing some sort of nervous breakdown. I believe the man is probably less a strict racist than an embittered, confused, distraught, unhinged guy in desperate need of intensive therapy.
Does this excuse the words that left his mouth from that comedy club stage? Hardly. And a single apology doesn't erase their impact. But I also don't think it racially insensitive to observe that perhaps this stemmed more from a larger emotional/psychological snap than simple bigotry. Yes, part of Richards' recovery should include diversity counseling to deduce where this racially-targeted rage came from, if it isn't indeed a lifelong mindset. It isn't about letting him off the hook for such a hateful transgression; it's about the larger issue of his mental state and very public implosion.
Again, this hardly excuses Richards' repeated use of what the polite media likes to call "The N-Word," nor does it dismiss the bigotry behind it. But this is obviously about far more than race. It's about the mental state of a man clearly hanging by an emotional thread and who appeared Monday to be in the throes of a sort of mania -- the kind that can lead to suicidal thoughts.
You simply don't often see television infused with the sort of raw emotion evoked during that interview. Letterman was particularly gentle in his questioning. And Jerry Seinfeld -- who obviously engineered the on-camera purge/apology out of concern for his buddy -- showed himself to be a true friend indeed to Richards. It was clear there was a fatherly element at work in Seinfeld's arranging for this interview, obviously conducted without publicist consultation or pre-planning or image makeover artists. There was nothing concocted or superficial about it. And in that sense, it made for an altogether bracing experience.
It took genuine courage for Richards to go on Letterman at Seinfeld's behest when he was in such a fragile and wounded state. And you got the feeling the man was staring not merely into a camera but squarely at his many demons. He didn't have the alcohol excuse, and he didn't concoct one. It was, refreshingly, about a guy trying to take immediate responsibility for his ugly actions and blaming no one but himself. So no matter what else you want to say about him, he showed some guts.
However, as my longtime journalist/author friend Kevin Allman writes on his indispensible blog, Richards did himself no favors by trying to drag the victims of Hurricane Katrina into his Letterman apology. It again speaks to the lack of preparation and advance consultation with publicity types, which proved commendable but also a bit imprudent.
The fact is, I don't know where this racism came from if we're to believe Richards isn't what he appeared to be on that stage. Obviously, something went haywire in his circuitry while being heckled, perhaps his longstanding and well-known anger at having been forever typecast as "Seinfeld's" Kramer. He very much needs to get over it and move on, use his millions to open a theater, take a year-long sailing trip around the world, come to terms with reality, enjoy his wealth and his life. There are worse things than being known as an iconic character from a revered sitcom and having that memory prevent you from landing other work. You've got to know that 99.999% of the Screen Actors Guild membership would take that deal in a heartbeat.
So, to finally answer the issues in order:
- If we're cutting Richards more slack than we did Mel Gibson, maybe it's because he isn't hiding behind publicists and statements and put his face out there front and center in the sort of vulnerable fashion that Gibson never has and never will.
- It isn't all right for African Americans to refer to white people as "Crackers." But under the chaotic circumstances, it was understandable because the dialogue had grown so horribly ugly due to Richards' deplorable conduct.
- If Gibson deserves another chance, Richards certainly does, too. But given the already-tenuous state of his career, I fear he may never get it.
The tape found its way to the National Enquirer, which has a reputation for being indignant about insensitive behavior. The Enquirer posted the recording on its web site. Then A&E stopped production of the series and took it off the air for "the foreseeable future."
"I have seen Richards lose his shit before. I went to his house once for an interview and he was on the phone when I arrived, in the middle of a heated rant with what sounded like an ex-girlfriend. Instead of ending the call, or sending me somewhere out of earshot, he motioned me into the living room and continued going postal for a full 10 minutes or so, with me sitting right there on the couch. I had no idea what triggered the conversation or whether his anger was merited, but it was not pretty. I wasn't asked to leave the tirade off the record, but I don't remember if I specifically alluded to it in the piece.
"I did make it clear in the story that he was a much more complicated and darker character than he showed on 'Seinfeld.' And I remember thinking that, unlike Jason Alexander --who seems grateful for the chance and takes all the typecasting in stride -- Richards seemed really pissed off about being pigeonholed as Kramer for the rest of his life.
"The on-stage rant seems like a misguided attempt at doing a take on 'political correctness' by using the most shocking words he can think of and daring the audience to be offended. Sort of an Andy Dick approach. But, hoo boy, does he misfire. His undercurrent of bitterness just comes blowing out on stage and instead of funny and/or thought-provoking, it's just scary and sad.
"Comedy is hard."