News | Entertainment
26 Feb 2026 1:18
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
     25 Feb: Matthew Lillard admits his fashion sense is "still stuck in 2000"
     25 Feb: Bonnie Blue is pregnant following her recent "breeding mission"
     25 Feb: Dennis Quaid thinks Donald Trump is "very funny" and "really genuine"
     25 Feb: Daniel Radcliffe admits it feels "surreal" seeing the new child stars stepping into the Harry Potter franchise
     25 Feb: Matthew Lillard was convinced he'd never work again during his "darkest days"
     25 Feb: The BBC has apologised for a racial slur shouted during the 2026 BAFTAs ceremony
     25 Feb: David Harbour was part of Millie Bobby Brown's birthday celebrations
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Wallace Sititi is back for the Chiefs for their Super Rugby final rematch against the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Meridian says mother nature has come to party and helped turn their finances around More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    Fruitfly trapping's back-up and running in Auckland, after an Oriental fruitfly was found in Papatoetoe 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Matthew Lillard admits his fashion sense is "still stuck in 2000" 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Bonnie Blue is pregnant following her recent "breeding mission" 21:21

    Environment:
    A large grass fire in Central Otago's Springvale's been contained 21:17

    International:
    President Donald Trump's State of the Union adress in detail 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Dennis Quaid thinks Donald Trump is "very funny" and "really genuine" 20:51

    International:
    Standout moments from Donald Trump's State of the Union speech 20:37

    Entertainment:
    Daniel Radcliffe admits it feels "surreal" seeing the new child stars stepping into the Harry Potter franchise 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Matthew Lillard was convinced he'd never work again during his "darkest days" 19:51

    Entertainment:
    The BBC has apologised for a racial slur shouted during the 2026 BAFTAs ceremony 19:21


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd