In the wake of Michael Richards' bizarre tirade on stage at a Los Angeles comedy club, I am both saddened and skeptical. I'm saddened that Richards, so popular as the goofball Kramer on Seinfeld, has shown the world a window to his less-than-stellar character. I'm skeptical of his apology on the Late Show.
Richards has deservedly been excoriated for his uncomfortable reaction to hecklers unimpressed with his comedy routine. He hurled racial epithets at a pace that would make even David Duke blush. By now, everyone who cares has at least read accounts of Richards' "performance."
Now Richards has the audacity to claim he is not a racist. Let's face it, some people are bigots. We can't always pick them out in a lineup. But sometimes one of them snaps so badly that it's impossible to overlook the hatred. Richards' on-stage episode is just the latest example.
No contrived TV apology, press conference or goodwill tour will convince me he has changed his tune. A genuine change of heart is the only thing that can save his reputation.
In ego-heavy Hollywood, this rarely occurs.
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