Laugh Factory is demanding Richards pay $1 million for every use of the "N"-word

[Pale Blue Dot]

http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2006-11-28/#2

Bosses at the Los Angeles comedy club where former Seinfeld star Michael Richards shocked fans with a racist rant have demanded the comedian pay $1 million to charity for every one of the 'N' words he used on stage. Richards has been banned from The Laugh Factory for repeatedly calling two African-American hecklers "n**gers" during a foul-mouthed rant onstage there earlier this month. The comedy club bosses now want him to pay for his ill-advised remarks. The comedian has publicly apologized for his comments and appeared on African-American civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson's radio show Keep Hope Alive on Sunday in an effort to make amends. But, according to TV news show The Insider, The Laugh Factory owners, who have now banned the 'N' word from the venue, want Richards to pay $6 million to charity for the six derogatory words he used on their stage. Richards, who claims to be seeing a psychiatrist in an effort to control his rage problems, is hoping to meet with the two African-Americans he racially abused from The Laugh Factory stage.

[Demobrat]

1. Huh? They can ban him and ban the N word,

and good on them for doing so, but demand that he give money to charity? And tell him how much? Suggest, okay - but demand? I don't think so.

[rainbow4321]

67. Funny how they let him go back the following night

because they thought he was going to apologize when he took the stage--he never followed thru with the apology. So an apology was **OK enough for them*** then but NOW they want a $6 million price tag.
There were no reports of them yanking him off the stage when he didn't follow thru with that expected apology...how much are THEY going to donate for allowing him to continue "performing" that night?

[nini]

2. demand?

is this a legal action? or their way of getting good press?


boy, this is getting more insane every day.

[ecstatic]

3. Right. That's why they let him back on the very next night, huh?

:sarcasm:

They can save the fake outrage.

[Loge23]

5. My thoughts exactly

But nothing like a little bandwagon publicity.
Can this thing please go away?

[Minnesota_Lib]

56. My first thought as well

[Bucky]

65. They said they let him back on the next night coz he promised to apologize on stage

I saw Paul Rodriguez (who seems to be a part owner) say that Richards promised to apologize, then renegged. By the way, there's a corny pun here off the word "renegged" that I'm passing up here. I expect kudos for my remarkable restraint.

[cwydro]

4. I just think that is ridiculous

He is a jerk who acted like a total racist moron, which he probably is. But that is ridiculous.

[Tellurian]

6. Well, what about the Pope?

During his standup, he made racists remarks against Islam.

How much should he pay for those remarks?

[nini]

8. what does that have to do with the Laugh Factory?

:eyes:

[Tellurian]

10. The Pope appeared at..

the Roman Laugh Factory..

and his apologies are rejected as well..

[LoZoccolo]

14. You cannot make racist remarks against a religion. n/t

[Bucky]

66. That's what my friends in Hymietown tell me,

Sorry, but I can't behave myself for very long on this website. I think I have DU-specific Tourette's.

[Richard Steele]

7. If he had six million dollars, he wouldn't be working at The Laugh Factory.

This is just the Laugh Factory's attempt to get
some free media out of this situation.

If they had simply issued a press release decrying
his actions, I could support them.
But this is just some "hey look at me" GRANDSTANDING;
a crude, transparent attempt to paint themselves as
progressive while scrambling for free publicity.

[LisaM]

20. What happened to all the Seinfeld money?

They were getting paid $1m each per episode the last year or some outrageous amount (I think that's what it was, though my memory could be tricking me).

[Richard Steele]

37. He blew it producing "The Michael Richards Show" ?

That's really just a GUESS, but I can't imagine
that anyone else would have been dumb enough to
finance that GawdAwful piece of dreck.

[EFerrari]

30. How much were they paying for that set again?

:rofl:

[AlamoDemoc]

9. If anything, He should make a donation to United Negro Fund...a well worth cause, IMO

[Tellurian]

13. Yep, I agree, he needs to get off his arse

and make amends either by doing hefty charitable work or a sizable donation to the UNF, as you suggested.

[troubleinwinter]

60. There is no "United Negro Fund".

There is the United Negro College Fund.

[KharmaTrain]

11. Cheap Promotional Stunt...

Wanna bet getting a ticket to the Laugh Factory is near impossible now. Why doesn't this dude cough up his own check...I'm sure he's got the coin. Certainly Richards wasn't the first to offend an audience and if the video hadn't come out, Richards would still be doing his two a nights there.

I wonder if one of the owners is Gloria Alred???

[cboy4]

16. Why did you have to end your post with a cheap shot at Gloria

Alred?

The last I checked, she is a tremendous advocate for abused women.

[kiahzero]

26. She's a tremendous advocate for herself

Take this case for example: No one's been able to cite a single precedent that her "clients" have a valid claim for relief, yet she went to the press touting the potential lawsuit.

[mondo joe]

28. Yup - she'll advocate for anyone that will get her face on television. nt

[KharmaTrain]

27. These Aren't Abused Women

She went running in front of cameras last week milking some PR out of this story...as she has with others. She may be a good advocate for abused women, but I've always considered the best advocates the ones who work behind the scenes, not in front of cameras.

My point, if you care to address that, is the owners of the Laugh Factory are trying to get free PR without holding any responsibility for what happened on their stage and it's not the first time. Had there not been a camera running and these patrons were insulted, do you think they would have fired Richards or now tried to pile on him? They had him back on stage the other night..it wasn't until the video came out that they finally acted. If they want to make a positive statement here, then let them donate some of their own money to the UNCF or another black organization and then take a stand against any verbal abuse that takes place on their stage.

[cboy4]

33. Your point is fine. I just didn't understand the Gloria reference,

that's all.

She seems to have a good heart, even though she obviously loves attention.

[mondo joe]

35. I would assume the Gloria reference is based on her connection to the

incident -- just one more person milking it for what it's worth, just like the club owners.

[cboy4]

39. I understand, but Jesse Jackson is the same way, and I don't have

a problem with him either.

[mitchum]

73. Maybe because Allred is a pathological attention whore?

She's not an ambulance chaser, but instead, a carnival wagon chaser

[MrSlayer]

12. This incident seems to have turned people into idiots.

He doesn't owe anyone one single penny for saying ridiculously innappropriate things. Is he an asshole? Yes. Is being an asshole a punitive offense? No.

[EFerrari]

31. Folks at the LF were already idiots. lol n/t

[AlamoDemoc]

38. Is being an asshole a punitive offense?

No, he's not your average "asshole", b/c he made millions on public airwaves, hence he should be held higher standard than an idiot who yells the "N" word in the middle of the street.

[mondo joe]

41. Higher standard? In the context of law there is no higher standard - the

point is EQUALITY before the law.

Making your fortune on the public airwaves doesn't put your personal estate less private or more for grabs.

[AlamoDemoc]

43. Who's talking about the law...I was simply pointing out standard in the public opinion

[mondo joe]

44. In response to it not being a "punitive offense".

Of course if the public chooses, it can be punitive about anything.

[madmusic]

76. And that's how lynching used to happen. n/t

[MrSlayer]

46. Well he has been hasn't he?

He's been apologizing all over the same public airwaves for over a week and has taken a bad (but deserved) beating from everyone on all sides all over the public airwaves. Certainly a higher standard than the average idiot in the street has to face. It doesn't mean he owes anyone money for it and to think he does is idiotic in my opinion. It's just ridiculous.

[SoCalDem]

15. Unless that policy was is effect BEFORE he said it, no-can-do.

and of course if ANY other comedian (black or white) has ever said that word, will they be "fined" as well?

[mondo joe]

17. If we're cashing in I want Eddie Murphy to donate to the Human Rights Campaign.

And a few others as well.

[cboy4]

21. I was going to say something, but you beat me to it!

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard the word "fag" used. :eyes:

[mondo joe]

22. You can still demand restitution from Bernie Mac. NT

[evilkumquat]

25. And donations to G.L.A.A.D from... Larry the Cable Guy!

These idiots are "banning" inflammatory words?

Why not just create "Free Speech" zones outside their club, too?

Maybe "Relevant-Only-in-the-1980's" Paul Rodriguez is hoping Normal Lear will toss him another pity show.

Evil Kumquat

[Fridays Child]

18. Hoping to meet with them? They've done everything short of camping...

...on his doorstep. On the other hand, I think it's unfortunate that they met with the self-aggrandizing, ambulance chasing Gloria Allred. I used to think she was okay but, in the last few years, I've grown to despise her.

[Imagine My Surprise]

19. I used to work at the Laugh Factory...

Believe me, the "owners" are milking this for everything they can get. It's all a publicity stunt for them.

[Karenina]

23. HALLO!

:hi:

[MindPilot]

29. Right! Whenever I'm looking for some insight into human rights issues

the first people I turn to are club owners.

It shouldn't be necessary, but... :sarcasm:

[EFerrari]

34. It's irresistable, isn't it? n/t

[madinmaryland]

24. Let's beat the dead horse some more.

Enough already! Can't these folks just let it drop. They already canned his ass, and are getting free publicity off the whole thing.

[sniffa]

32. i think he shouLd give that money to me!!

afteraLL, i've had to read countLess threads and fLame wars about here.

[Pale Blue Dot]

36. The problem I have with this is the banning of the "N"-word.

I am a defender of what many on DU would call "PC". In other words, I believe that if people uses racist, sexist, or homophobic language in an obviously hateful way, they should be called out on it, loudly and consistently. I DON'T believe in banning anything. Banning the "N" word simply gives cover to those who would rather not talk about the word and its history.

[EFerrari]

40. It also leaves 50 comedians with no act. n/t

[mondo joe]

42. Imagine if they ban sexist comments too.

Throw in homophobic too.

[cboy4]

45. How about banning the N-word being shouted out at

audience members in fits of racist rage?

That's inappropriate in any business, even a comedy club.

[Pale Blue Dot]

47. 1. A ban is unlikely to stop "fits of racist rage".

2. I think that the discussion that this country has been having about the use of the N-word as a result of this "racist rage" is much more productive than a ban could ever be.

[cboy4]

52. The problem is a comedy club is such a unique venue, there's

really never been a line in the sand, so to speak, when it comes to what the employees are allowed to say to the customers.

There needs to be a line.

I agree that a ban will not stop everyone.

But it sends a very strong message.

And why does the policy have to be worded as a "ban?"

Why can't you say calling black people in the audience the N-word will not be "tolerated?"

[mondo joe]

54. There doesn't NEED to be a line, though the club is certainly within its rights

to draw one.

I personally would wish that IF they draw a line it is consistent - that is, if the N word is not allowed, then it is not allowed for ANYONE. Or if it's not allowed, neither is any other racist or sexist word.

[cboy4]

57. You don't think there needs to be a line so that black people are

reasonably assured that they can go to a comedy club, knowing it won't be tolerated if someone angrily shouts the N-word at them and chases them out of the fricken building?

[mondo joe]

59. I think if there is a line it needs to be consistennt across all people and

all groups.

But I don't think there needs to be a line because in general I dislike bans on words, but in addition: a club owner can CERTAINLY not bring someone whom is reputed to be abusive to customers, an d b. even if he or she did not, customers can stop using such a business (which in turn pressures it to be responsive).

[Irreverend IX]

61. There needs to be a line?

For decades the only rule of stand-up comedy has been that anything goes, as long as it gets laughs. Speech codes are fundamentally against the spirit of the medium. The Laugh Factory is a private business and the owners are free to make whatever rules they want, but I think their decision will negatively affect them and, possibly, the stand-up medium as a whole. Though I suspect they'll end up rescinding the ban after a while, since they only did it for publicity purposes in the first place.

[cboy4]

64. Be careful. I'm not talking about banning the word as part of a

comedy routine.

I'm talking about how I believe there needs to be a line at comedy clubs concerning what you can shout at the customers.

Otherwise comics, who are less concerned about their image as Michael Richards obviously is, could do what he did, and hide behind the shield of comedy as a defense.

That's unacceptable.

[Demobrat]

49. It's a private business. If they don't

want to hear the word they shouldn't have to. I wouldn't allow it to be used in my home.

[Pale Blue Dot]

50. Fair enough. But I doubt they thought about it much before

this whole Richards thing blew up.

The banning is purely reactionary, and that's dangerous.

[Demobrat]

62. Well if I start a grease fire

in my kitchen and go out and buy a fire extinguisher the next day that's reactionary too. I do have a slight problem with the idea that the word has probably been used there before with no repercussions, and there probably would have been none this time had the rant not been taped. But ... it's their business.

[EFerrari]

68. Comedy clubs ban things all the time -- words, people, whatever.

They are, without a doubt or even a close runner up, the most capricious group of people I've ever dealt with. Except Budd Friedman. He is a human being and I hope I'm not misspelling his name.

[Berry Cool]

48. He should stop using the N-word, retire, move to Colorado

and hang a Christmas wreath that looks like a peace sign on his door.

It'll be much cheaper. Homeowners' association will only fine him $25 a day.

I don't know how much they'd fine him if he nailed the N-word to his door.

[Blackthorn]

51. This is the Laugh Factory doing some PR work. Nothing more.

[Left Is Write]

53. This is madness.

[brettdale]

55. They having a laugh

to steal a line for extras.

[Pyrzqxgl]

58. wouldn't it be nice if we could separate the words from the hate implied in them

then we could have our Freedom of Speech w/o the hurt feelings and we wouldn't have to waste all this space

[Demobrat]

63. A lot of kids these days, of all races,

seem to use the word towards one another affectionately. I don't mind the idea that they're taking it over and using it in a way that takes the sting out - like the gays did with queer. But to an old coot like me it's still jarring to hear.

[symbolman]

69. No Lines in the sand

No RULES, nothing but FREE SPEECH, let the chips fall where they may.

Fuck Censorship, period.

I hear black comedians say that ALL NIGHT LONG until I'm SICK of the word, and I don't like hearing THEM say it either, but you know what? It's a FREE country, unless we STOP it from BEING FREE.

First Amendment, you fall on your own sword, tough shit.

I'm through with the guy personally, but I've heard MUCH WORSE, AND LAUGHED too..

Try some Lenny Bruce, and relax :)

[troubleinwinter]

70. I agree.

But there was an interesting interview with comedian Paul Mooney on Keith O. last night. He said that he, Richard Pryor and other black comedians of the day thought they could diffuse and weaken the word by USING it.

He said that it failed, that now 'gangsta rappers' use it and so do children of all races and ages in school.

He said that HE for himself has now decided to never use the word. He said same goes for "the b-word" (I suppose he means 'bitch').

In all of this asinine debate, he is the first person who has made any sense to me. HE has decided to change and not to use the word anymore. GEEZ!!! No calling people racist, no covering for racism, no lawsuits, no calling for fines, just a decision to do better personally and try to lead by example after taking responsibility! How 'bout that?!!

Video is here. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

Free speech is the right to choose not to use words, as much as to choose to use them.

[symbolman]

72. Yep

and if you can't do the TIME, then don't commit the CRIME as my brothers like to say..

Ultimately the PERSON who utters them holds the responsibility. Personally I think this guy is being crucified for something that MANY people do all over LA and NYC and the rest of the country.

Someone got handed the Turd Award and all it took was a PC hounding media to get us all riled up, while BLACK kids (and White kids too) STARVE to fucking death.

THAT is more important to me.. the word FOOD, and EDUCATION, etc. Fuck the N-word, and the B-word, people say it all the time, and it will never go away in reality, yet everyone is running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off like the sky is falling, who fucking CARES, when kids are starving, Iraq kids have 400% or more Birth DEFECTS because of these stupid war..

Anyone want a word that *I* would like to have BANNED from the Planet, that is the most OBSCENE, DEGRADING word of all, the MOST Pornographic?

How about "WAR".

[troubleinwinter]

75. You're right.

The words unspoken are HUNGER, DEPLETED URANIUM, GENOCIDE, TREASON, DISEASE ... words people don't want to hear.

But they use the word WAR all the time. Iraq WAR. WAR on Terror. Global WAR on Terror. WAR on Drugs. WAR president. WAR on Christmas, for fuck's sake.

Seldom do we hear the word PEACE.

I wish Lenny were here now. He'd have some strong words about words!

[symbolman]

77. Yes

and they assasinated him with Court papers and arrests, stole his sense of humor, plunged him into a suicide brought on by depression..

They used to just kill you, now they kill your spirit, or have people follow you around screaming, "NOT PC! NOT PC!"

Pay attention people, we're being GAMED.

[FredScuttle]

71. So, they would have kicked Lenny Bruce out?

Or, better yet, Richard Pryor?

[mitchum]

74. Richards is being used as a scapegoat or sineater (schtickeater?)...

"See, I'm not racist...I'm OUTRAGED by what he said! I would never say such a thng or harbor such thoughts! Can't you tell by my OUTRAGE!"

He was stupid. He was unfunny. He was unprofessional. He will probably never work again. He definitely has some anger issues. He is possibly a racist.
But....was he a role model for "our delicate youth" and will they now insist, "But Mom, Michael Richards says it!"
Is he a cop? Teacher? Guy working at the post office? Employer of any kind?

I'm gonna take a brave stand and declare that I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR MICHAEL RICHARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICE! And I mean it.

[NaturalHigh]

78. Whatever.

They can demand all they want. I doubt it's going to happen. This is more or less a CYA thing.

[BoneDaddy]

79. Give me a break

How bout they ban him from the club and simply shut up... This is getting ridiculous.