News | Entertainment
15 Jan 2025 1:32
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."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     14 Jan: Angelina Jolie's motivations have changed during the course of her career
     14 Jan: Karla Sofia Gascon feels inspired by criticism
     14 Jan: James Woods feels "happy and grateful" after his home survived the Los Angeles wildfires
     14 Jan: Harris Dickinson isn't very comfortable with "being desired"
     14 Jan: Angelina Jolie found starring in 'Maria' to be a therapeutic experience
     14 Jan: Nick Frost believes he owes his parents "nothing"
     14 Jan: Angelina Jolie has opened her home to friends who were forced to evacuate due to the California wildfires
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former Scotland rugby captain Peter Brown has died aged 83 More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Finance Minister's welcoming a more positive outlook from businesses More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Dunedin Police are appealing for information after an attempted robbery in the North East Valley area 21:57

    Politics:
    Australian man Oscar Jenkins reportedly killed after being captured while fighting for Ukraine 21:47

    Entertainment:
    Angelina Jolie's motivations have changed during the course of her career 21:35

    International:
    Donald Trump engaged in 'criminal effort' to overturn 2020 election, report finds 21:27

    Law and Order:
    Police have arrested a man after alleged incidents in two Auckland suburbs 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Karla Sofia Gascon feels inspired by criticism 21:05

    Entertainment:
    James Woods feels "happy and grateful" after his home survived the Los Angeles wildfires 20:35

    Entertainment:
    Harris Dickinson isn't very comfortable with "being desired" 20:05

    Living & Travel:
    Quick Sports Summary 19:47

    Entertainment:
    Angelina Jolie found starring in 'Maria' to be a therapeutic experience 19:35


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd