I grew up through the big years of Seinfeld. I have always been a die-hard fan, owning every season released. I even was brought to thinking today just how large a part this sitcom has actually played in my life. However, the racist outburst unleashed by Michael Richards at a comedy club several days ago was disgusting, inappropriate and unacceptable. I know personally every time I watch an episode of what many consider the greatest show of all-time, I will now look at the character differently, if I can at all. Every catch phrase, every highlight and every nuance of Cosmo Kramer, arguably one of the greatest sitcom characters in history, will forever be tainted, and in result, so will the show.
Jerry Seinfeld made his scheduled appearance on David Letterman Monday night, and urged his former co-star to come on to address the issue. I feel it was handled poorly by the show, in that many at that time were still unaware of how serious the issue was. Some in the audience laughed during the first lines of Richards’ apology before Seinfeld promptly told them this was a serious matter. Something they should have been told before. If you had no idea of the “tirade” Richards had went on, and saw Jerry Seinfeld and Michael Richards back together, most everyone’s first instincts would be “this is going to be funny.”
That being said, while Richards seemed obviously shaken up and distressed over the incident, and even with Seinfeld standing behind him supporting him, (on his recovery, not on his outburst) no apology or no excuse can take back what he said. It was simply inexcusable and for someone to go off like he did for that long, the person must have serious issues that need to be dealt with.
This does not change the fact that Seinfeld was a brilliant show, but a little asterisk left from this incident will always be there.