News | Entertainment
4 Feb 2026 16:42
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Michael Richards could have his Laugh Factory comedy club ban lifted years after his infamous racist rant at the venue

    The 'Seinfeld' actor, 74, who made a fortune and was skyrocketed to global fame playing Kramer on the hit comedy sitcom was filmed unleashing a tirade of racial slurs during a stand-up show at the spot in Los Angeles in 2006


    It led to the actor being barred from the club for life, but owner Jamie Masada has now said he might allow him back - if he has learned "the error of his ways".

    Jamie told TMA he "believes in second chances and doesn't want to hold a grudge".

    But the outlet reported Michael - who has just published his memoir 'Entrances and Exits' - is not looking to use the book to make a return to the limelight in stand-up shows, TV or with promotional appearances to promote the memoir.

    TMZ said Jamie says he was at the club the night Michael let rip with his racial slurs, and questioned Michael's take on what happened.

    The actor says in his book he over-reacted when a heckler told him he "wasn't funny".

    But according to TMZ, Jamie says there were no proactive heckles.

    He says a group of guests were talking during Michael's set and only when he demanded to know what they were talking about did one reply with the put-down he wasn't funny.

    Michael says in his book at the time of the incident he was still hurting from the failure of his post-'Seinfeld' sitcom 'The Michael Richards Show' - which lasted only eight episodes in 2000.

    He adds in the autobiography he heard talking coming from the balcony before he exploded in rage, and yelled: "Shut the f*** up!" - to the delight of the audience.

    Michael says he then heard someone from the balcony call out: "You're not funny. We don't think you're very funny!"

    Michael admitted he took the insult "pretty hard" and called it a "solid punch below the belt".

    He swerves detailing exactly what he said during his tirade - which featured him shouting into the audience: "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f****** fork up your ass" before calling one of his hecklers the n- word.

    Michael says in his book: "Of course, looking back at all, I wish I had just agreed with (my heckler.)

    "He went low and I went even lower. We both ended up at the bottom of the barrel."

    Michael added the words "You're not funny" kept running through his mind at the time of the incident, saying: "He laid it out so clearly, so simply, my biggest fear - not being funny.

    "Later, I'll come to realise that all of this, everything he said, is me. His voice is my voice. This is all ME going on. My inferiority sets in. My anger erupts."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     04 Feb: Sir Elton John's private jet was involved in a terrifying incident after being divebombed by a "huge hawk"
     04 Feb: Jessie Buckley says her role in Hamnet has been "life-changing"
     04 Feb: Rita Ora has revealed that being a stepmother has changed her perspective on life
     04 Feb: Jenna Ortega has hailed her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star Catherine O'Hara as "one of the greats"
     04 Feb: Bella Hadid's ex-boyfriend has been arrested for public intoxication
     04 Feb: Rose Byrne has felt "grief" over becoming a mother
     04 Feb: Annie Murphy has paid tribute to her Schitt's Creek mother Catherine O'Hara
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Black Dane Coles will sit on the panel charged with finding the coach to replace Scott Robertson More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The latest rise in unemployment has been small - but unexpected More...



     Today's News

    Skiing:
    Second Australian dies in Japan while skiing, local media reports 16:37

    Entertainment:
    Sir Elton John's private jet was involved in a terrifying incident after being divebombed by a "huge hawk" 16:31

    Rugby:
    Former All Black Dane Coles will sit on the panel charged with finding the coach to replace Scott Robertson 16:17

    Rugby:
    Further Super Rugby law innovations have been given the seal of approval by veteran hooker Codie Taylor 16:07

    National:
    RBA raises interest rates as inflation pressures remain high 16:07

    Entertainment:
    Jessie Buckley says her role in Hamnet has been "life-changing" 16:01

    Entertainment:
    Rita Ora has revealed that being a stepmother has changed her perspective on life 15:31

    Environment:
    So-called predator ducks have shocked conservation staff in the Mackenzie Basin 15:27

    Entertainment:
    Jenna Ortega has hailed her Beetlejuice Beetlejuice co-star Catherine O'Hara as "one of the greats" 15:01

    Soccer:
    A maiden Football Ferns call-up for rising Phoenix talent Pia Vlok 14:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd