News | Entertainment
12 Feb 2026 16:02
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
     12 Feb: Cynthia Erivo isn't "chasing" EGOT status
     12 Feb: Doja Cat has urged fellow celebrities to "shut the f*** up"
     12 Feb: Ciara enjoys playing matchmaker by setting her friends up on dates
     12 Feb: Kurt Russell agreed to star in a Super Bowl commercial in order to "catch up" with his pet dog
     12 Feb: The Prince and Princess of Wales are "deeply concerned" by the ongoing revelations from the Epstein files
     12 Feb: Bad Bunny married a couple during his Super Bowl halftime show after they invited him to their wedding
     12 Feb: Kerry Katona was convinced she was "going to give birth" when she was rushed to hospital last month
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Antonio Shalfoon's determined to take another step up as the Crusaders senior lock - ahead of tomorrow's Super Rugby season opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Signs the economy is gaining momentum after a tough stretch More...



     Today's News

    Rugby League:
    NRL star Payne Haas is rejecting suggestions he's leaving the Broncos due to a falling out with coach Michael Maguire, insisting his shock move to the Rabbitohs next year is driven by family 15:57

    Entertainment:
    Cynthia Erivo isn't "chasing" EGOT status 15:51

    Politics:
    National's yet to decide its stance on Winston Peters' call for a referendum on Maori seats 15:47

    Entertainment:
    Doja Cat has urged fellow celebrities to "shut the f*** up" 15:21

    Rugby:
    Antonio Shalfoon's determined to take another step up as the Crusaders senior lock - ahead of tomorrow's Super Rugby season opener against the Highlanders in Dunedin 15:07

    Soccer:
    An update from coach Giancarlo Italiano regarding how soon Phoenix fans can expect to see Sarpreet Singh back on the field in football's men's A-League 15:07

    Law and Order:
    Confusion from Court of Appeal judges over the Christchurch terrorist's argument - as he fights to vacate his guilty pleas to murder and terrorism 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Ciara enjoys playing matchmaker by setting her friends up on dates 14:51

    Entertainment:
    Kurt Russell agreed to star in a Super Bowl commercial in order to "catch up" with his pet dog 14:21

    National:
    4 lessons NZ should take from another summer of weather disasters 14:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd