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From good, bad, to downright ugly, David Letterman has taken on several different interviews throughout his career on the Late Show. However, perhaps his most awkward of all-time was alongside Seinfeld star, Michael Richards.
The actor was in the midst of a career crisis, after he went on a racist outburst during his stand-up act at the Laugh Factory. Clearly, his career was never the same after that moment.
Jerry Seinfeld used his Late Show platform as a way for Richards to issue an apology, but both Jerry and Michael quickly learned that it wasn’t the best place to make such a statement. Let’s take a look back at how it all went down, and why Richards showed regret appearing on the Late Show.
Michael Richards Admitted His Outburst At The Laugh Factory Was A Reality Check
Following his racist outburst in 2006, Michael Richards’ career was never the same again, despite his fame as Kramer on Seinfeld. Richards learned a lot from the moment and according to his words with Us Weekly, it was a major reality check at the time, especially pertaining to his pursuit of a career in stand-up comedy.
“I had to question whether or not this is my game. I’d done it before but I always got sort of picked up off the floor and put into projects. I’d only been doing stand-up at the time that situation happened about seven or eight months and I just lost my patience that night because people were heckling me and not letting me work on my material and I lost my cool. And it is what it is! I’ve moved on.”
Richards would go on to admit that the world of stand-up was not for him, and he was better suited as a performer on television or film.
“I never had a great knack for that,” he explained. “I was always more of a performance artist, in a sense and that could be misunderstood given what happened nine years ago. And I am sorry for all that. Jerry is a definitive stand-up and he’s performing tonight and that’s his deal. He’s really good at it.”
Back when the incident took place, Richards attempted to make an apology – however, it fell completely flat, and it appears as though he didn’t do it under the right circumstances.
Jerry Seinfeld Invited Michael Richards To Apologize On The Late Show, But Things Did Not Go To Plan
During his interview on the Late Show alongside David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld decided to use that time as a platform for his former co-star, Michael Richards. Although Jerry had good intentions, it clearly was not the right place for Richards to voice a serious public apology.
As Richards was speaking out, you can hear audience members laughing in the background. Richards clearly was not happy with this.
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He said, “I’m hearing your audience laugh and I’m not even sure this is where I should be addressing the situation. “
Richards continues, “I’ve already heard you make some jokes about it and that’s OK, but I’m really busted up over this and I’m very, very sorry to those people in the audience. Blacks, the Hispanics, the whites, everyone that was there that took the brunt of that anger and hate and rage and how it came through.”
Letterman tried to ease the situation, stating that he hopes Richards didn’t regret coming on the show. Jerry Seinfeld noted at the end of Richards’ apology that the moment was good for him, and that he was beat up over it.
As expected, the moment received mixed reactions from the fans.
Michael Richards’ Apology On The Late Show Was Met With Mixed Reactions
The video has over one million views on YouTube, and as expected, comments are extremely mixed. One fan called it one of the most awkward moments in late night show history.
“This has to be the most awkward damage control in television history,” the fan writes.
A fan also praised Jerry Seinfeld for sticking his neck out, and attempting to help Michael Richards during a tough situation.
“Jerry Seinfeld is a loyal friend. Not only did he share air time with a man half the country hated at that moment but he also made it clear they are still friends and stood up for Michael’s character as a person. Even told the crowd to stop laughing it’s not funny while Michael was trying to explain and apologize.”
Another comment didn’t blame the audience for laughing, given that he did it on a platform that was meant for laughter and having a good time.
“I remember watching this live when it happened and I hadn’t heard anything about the incident yet. Like the audience, I assumed this was a bit because, you know, they’re on a comedy talk show. I don’t know how the people who decided to put this on the air could possibly think the audience would assume this is anything other than a bit. It really bugs me when Seinfeld scolds the audience to stop laughing.”
I truly was a memorable moment on the Late Show, but for the wrong reasons.
