Looks like Seinfeld Season 7 DVD is outselling previous seasons

[Mike Daniels]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS99/61129040

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11302006/tv/seinfeld_soars_on_racist_rant_tv_don_kaplan.htm

Sales up 75% over Season 6 and up 50% over Season 5

Looks like Jackson's boycott is a bust. Yeah, you have a right to call for a boycott but Jackson's was simply idiotic.

Simply, what bearing does Richard's performance/behavior now have on something that he was but one part of years ago?

[BeliQueen]

1. just goes to show

I feared that this would happen.

It's a message from white America that, no matter what, African Americans will alway be reviled in this society.

We can get shot defending our homes and be vilified. We can be shot fleeing a confrontation and be vilified. And someone can verbally attack us using the most hateful language and imagery possible and that person will be supported and even uplifted.

It has been a few very hard weeks being black--not personally--nationally.

I feel like if I was targeted in racist, or unjust incident, the majority of this nation would rally behind the perpetrator.

You ask the question what bearing does Richard's behavior now have on something he did years ago. He still gets residuals and shares in the profits from the show. He is now being rewarded for "putting those black n!&&@r$ in their place."

It's disheartening.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

4. I personally couldn't give a **** about Michael Richards

He probably is a racist scum and all that, BUT I bought the DVD of Season 7 because I love Seinfeld and, in this 'free' society (or what's left of it) it is my prerogative to buy this DVD. This does not mean that I am a racist. If you don't like the fact that Mr. Richards gets residuals for his work, take it up with the Screen Actors Guild or Actors Equity.

[BeliQueen]

6. Enjoy

I hope you enjoy your DVDs. But when you know that someone is that vile, isn't your responsibility not to enable them.

Just wondering.

[bobbolink]

49. I tried to send you a PM to welcome you, and wish you well here.

Certainly, you haven't received a warm reception on this thread.

I'm very sorry about that.

I'll also receive attacks for supporting you.

Ain't liberalism grand? :P

[aquart]

5. What a load of self-pitying crap.

Michael Richards is getting residuals because he worked his butt off to help make a hit comedy work. It earned millions for the network and he is more than entitled to his small share of the endless reruns.

If it turns out that he is a racist pig hating blacks and Jews and probably lots of other groups as well, it makes him small and pathetic.........but it does not mean that he is not entitled to what his hard work earned.

Just as your diatribe against white people does not mean that you are not entitled to collect your salary from your job this week.

BTW, Seinfeld was not a hit because anybody admired or wanted to emulate the characters. It was a hit because it pointed up smallness in people who could not admit that about themselves. You might want to look at that aspect.

[zreosumgame]

7. sadly self-examination is out of fashion these days

no matter the political perspective. So many love the small comfort of labeling and dismissing others while venerating their own all too evident short-comings.

[BeliQueen]

22. Yes, unfortunately it is

Because people can't look beyond their own selves to reflect on just how stupid it is to say that "I value entertainment over a statement against racism."

That's self examination. That's what's out of fashion.

[mondo joe]

33. Again, not buying a DVD isn't a statement against racism.

There is no direct connection between this TV show and racism.

[bobbolink]

43. Funny---I said that just last week, only used the word "introspection"

Yes, I'm coming to the conclusion it's a very serious part of our sliding downhill.

:(

Thanks... I don't like knowing this, but... it's time to look past the veil...

[BeliQueen]

9. Projection

Since you don't know me, I'll take it that your personal attack on my character is a projection of how you must feel about yourself. You must engage in hours of self-pity.

Since I made it clear in the post that my concerns are national not personal, and I included my fear of a hypothetical incident that is based on what has been reported over the last few weeks, my only concerns are that these incidents will splinter our society further and create worsening race relations.

My post was not intended as a diatribe against white people, but an observation of behavior based on personal experience and even posts that I read on DU. Why would it be such an inconvenience for people not to buy the DVDs of Seinfeld in a show of support for racial harmony? What about our collective consciousness puts our want for temporary entertainment and escape over our need for a more balanced and harmonious world?

[NYCGirl]

10. I appreciate your concern and will give it all the consideration it deserves. NT

[mondo joe]

16. How would not buying a DVD set show support for racial harmony?

How does that work?

The show isn't racist.

[BeliQueen]

18. The show isn't racist . . .

...unless you count the fact that the show was almost completely devoid of any black characters in major, minor, or even extra roles. But that's beside the point. I used to watch Seinfeld every week. I loved the show.

But this isn't about the show, it's about showing a distaste for distateful behavior. If the only way we can express our outrage for Michael Richard's behavior is to not buy the DVDs, then why not boycott?

[NYCGirl]

21. So, if you find out that Sean Connery advocates spousal abuse, you'd never

watch any of his movies again?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Connery#Accusations_of_Abuse

[BeliQueen]

24. Not necessarily

We're all entitled to our own opinions.

But if I saw a video of him beating his wife to within an inch of her life, I certainly wouldn't be in line to buy a copy of "Finding Forrester."

[NYCGirl]

36. Would you ask everyone to boycott his films?

That's the point. It's not whether you like him or not. I've actually never watched Seinfeld, so I won't be buying any DVDs, but if people want to get one, I am not going to judge them as racists.

[BeliQueen]

41. Good Conscience

I think people of good conscience after seeing what Michael Richards did on stage would steer away from buying the Seinfeld DVDs.

I think they would say, I don't want to support that kind of behavior.

If you choose to buy the DVDs you have to live with the knowledge that you chose entertainment over social conscience. It's your choice to make.

If enough people do it, it's a collective message that says, we choose to support this guy no matter what he does.

[NYCGirl]

42. Well, then I hope you research every actor in every show you watch.

People's lives can get pretty messy sometimes.

[BeliQueen]

56. Politics out of entertainment

After the boycott of the Dixie Chicks, I decided that I would keep politics out of entertainment. I would be hypocritical of me to boycott someone after I called the boycott of the Dixie Chicks nonsense.

And then along came Michael Richards. And where as I don't support a complete boycott, did people have to rush right out and make it so popular? It's hard not to interpret that as a message.

Whereas I can't look into people's hearts and know for certain why they individually purchased the DVDs, I can come to some reasonable conclusion for it being SO popular after that vicious attack.

[NYCGirl]

57. And I'd say your conclusion is probably wrong.

I'd bet that most of those people are not buying it because they like Michael Richards; I'd venture that very many (if not most) haven't even heard about his tirade.

[BeliQueen]

58. Then I say that your assumption...

...that these people have been living under a rock for the past two weeks is wrong.

Who do you know who hasn't heard of this? It's been all over the news and web for weeks.

[NYCGirl]

71. It didn't make the front sections of the NY Times, but I do have a buddy in

Brooklyn who reads the NY Post (she's the only Republican I know) who'd heard about it.

[Bunny]

34. Actually, yes. When I heard years ago that Connery thinks it's okay

to occasionally slap your wife around, I lost what little respect or interest in him that I previously had. This does not reflect my opinion of Seinfeld, but since you specifically asked about Connery I can truthfully answer yes. (I know you weren't asking me, I just wanted to comment). I feel the same way about Michael Jackson. O.J. Simpson, too. I can no longer watch any of the Naked Gun movies because of that asshole.

[mondo joe]

29. That's untrue. There were numerous incidental characters of all

races.

But since the showwas primarily about an insular group of friends, it would not be expected that there would be a lot of other characters making regular appearances.

If not buying a DVD is how you show outrage, go ahead.

But don't expect everyoneto be that silly.

[BeliQueen]

50. Like I said...

...I used to watch Seinfeld. I know the number of black characters and extras they had on the show. I've been to New York. I've seen the number of black people who walk the streets and inhabit the space. The Seinfeld portrayal isn't representative. That can be construed as racist.

The Seinfeld DVDs weren't on my purchase list. The next DVD set I'm buying will be the Sci-Fi channels original series "Eureka." Fantastic show.

So me not buying the DVDs isn't a statement of outrage, just disinterest.

Since I didn't resort to calling you a name, I find it childish that you would stoop so low. But, unlike Michael Richards, I have a modicum of self-discipline and will not respond in kind.

What I will say is that throughout history people have said a number of boycotts were silly.

[chimpymustgo]

64. BeliQueen. Welcome to DU...I applaud your thoughtful, brave arguments.

This is generally a great place, a source of sanity. But education is a lifelong process.

[mondo joe]

66. Well it's hard to see what you're complaining about. You don't want a boycott,

you want people to be "disinterested"?

[Sydnie]

59. Here is a very interesting take on what the show Seinfeld was

all about, and just who was pushing for it to be like that. (Here's a clue - Curb Your Enthusiasm is NOT void of characters that look different than he does ... so it wasn't Larry David's writing that did it all by itself)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8HfgFJnSCM

[QuestionAll...]

52. but Mr. Sienfeld did openly support Richards.

in some kind of manner.

So a boycott against the show Sienfeld would be understandable, in my view.
He could have just not comment, but Jerry just isn't very good at that, is he?

[mondo joe]

63. How did he support him? Please be precise.

Thank you.

[QuestionAll...]

79. of course he didn't support what Michael said...

but he did stand up for Michael.
I tried to find a link, ny times had a bit on this, but my computer hung up so I gave it up.

Someone else here must remember this.

[bobbolink]

44. I"m sorry for the harsh words spoken to you here.

Welcome to DU. :toast:

Unfortunately, there is as much harshness and personal attacks here as anywhere.

It saddens me to see such vitriol.

You have posted a very polite response--I'm not sure I could take that harshness as well.

Peace to you. :hi:

[BeliQueen]

51. Thanks Bobbo

Thanks for the support.

Actually one of my goals in life is to be more patient and less confrontational in my responses. I can have a pretty quick temper.

This board is good practice.

Thanks for being supportive.

I'd like to think that we're all on the same side, we are just having a tough time understanding each other.

[bobbolink]

55. We *should* be "on the same side"...

But there are those who enjoy making those "sides" smaller and smaller.

I like to quote an Episcopalian priest from many years ago, who said that his understanding of pornography is the whole concept of "Us and Them"

The more I think about it, the more I understand the evil in that concept.

Here's to "US" :toast:

[qanda]

19. What's that supposed to mean?

"self-pitying crap"?

[mondo joe]

15. Or it just goes to show this is a popular show.

It's not THE MICHAEL RICHARDS SHOW anyway.

[qanda]

17. Sister, white folks just don't get it

And I fear they never will. There are a lot of us on DU that are sick of the very crap you're facing in this thread. Don't let it get you down, we need your voice for change. Keep speaking! They may not like it, but you see they can't ignore it.

[BeliQueen]

20. It's hard

But I think when people finally get it, they'll get it. Just takes time.

[bobbolink]

45. I'm also sickened by it, and I'm, sadly, white.

Doesn't make me proud, that's for sure.

:cry:

[hfojvt]

27. I thought you put that very well

I would have written the last paragraph myself.

I also find it disheartening that so many of my fellow Americans, and fellow whites, are willing to support, or at best, overlook, Richards in his tirade. I'd like to see Julia, at least, make a statement and a donation to the NAACP or the UNCF.

[qanda]

28. Thank you for that

I'm not the orignal poster, but I also thought her words were measured and well written. It helps to know that not everyone is willing to dismiss what Richards did.

[ecstatic]

37. Yep. Buried DEEPLY under the headlines is news that the elderly woman murdered in her own home

by the cops did not fire the 3 shots that were reported. Her gun was shown to be fired only once, and God only knows who actually fired that one shot. I called this one way ahead of time (after all, how can one elderly woman unload 3 shots that quickly--does anyone know the force that takes?)?

Don't expect any justice... The only time I recall a cop being disciplined/fired in Atlanta was when that black cop subdued the white woman who hit him with her SUV...

OK, I've really digressed but this story has had me pissed off all day!! :mad:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=1637887&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1

[bobbolink]

47. THat story was so tragic that I haven't been able to really focus on it.

I'm in the midst of feeling pretty hopeless about things in this country, and that is one of the examples of what has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

Peace to her family. :cry:

[XboxWarrior]

40. Michael Richards is a Drum......

But last night my GF said I was a racist.....

get this!

because I found it odd that Africans would accept their

enslaver's religion as their own.......

Why do blacks worship the jesus?

I find this element of the arguement interesting.

why do the mexicans speak spanish?

would you as an "American" speak the Chineese, and be

an atheist communist, if they took our space?

I hope not.

p.s. my GF is black, and I am Jewish

[Scout1071]

46. I'm sorry you feel that way.

Personally, I think that Richards is mentally ill. He's not making a lot of sense, he is rumored (from reliable sources who have worked with him through the years) to have an anger problem, and frankly, you'd have to be crazy bat shit out of your mind to start screaming that at any audience, anywhere in the world - outside of a white supremacist meeting.

I don't agree with what Richards said at all. I also have some concerns about how frequently the word is used in everyday hip-hop vernacular. I understand that they are two different things, but with many in the black community using it so frequently, particularly influential artists, it continues to permeate our culture. We all need to take responsibility for it's usage in this day and age.

I can tell you that I have grown up in a predominantly white neighborhood in suburban middle America and I simply do not hear that word being used. Ever. It is not commonplace. There may be other subtle racism, which I believe goes on in most neighborhoods, whether it's an area concentrated by Asians, Latinos, African Americans, etc., but I simply do not see any African Americans being reviled in my community.

Richards needs help. I don't think that he should be off the hook for what he said, but I do think he needs psychiatric treatment and I believe that he is honestly reaching out. It took a lot of guts for him to appear live on Jesse Jackson's Show and I truly hope that it is going to start a learning and healing process. And he should continue to reach out and make amends. And we, as a society, must continue to talk about it. I worked for an African-American owned company at the time of the OJ verdict and we had some rather heated discussions and in the years I worked for them, race had never been an issue until that trial. But, it was like just bubbling beneath the surface. I guess it always is kind of there. But, the more we talk, the more we understand, the better we all become. If we can't come together and talk about it, we can never get over it.

So, please don't take it so hard that Seinfeld DVD's are selling. The show was really funny and Michael Richards was only part of the ensemble. Why should all of the other actors, writers, producers, etc be punished financially because of his mad ramblings 9 years after the show ended?


Take heart. We are coming together more everyday.

[Charlie Brown]

69. Well said

It makes perfect sense to rebuke Richards for his offensive tirade, and encourage him to get help, apologize, etc. (he brought that on himself).

It does not make sense to boycott DVDs of a TV show that aired years ago, of which Richards was only an ensemble character.

That's like refusing to watch the "Mad Max" movies or Braveheart because of Mel Gibson's rant in Malibu earlier this year.

I think entertainment boycotts are silly, as the righties' blacklisting of the Dixie Chicks demonstrates.

[LisaL]

76. I don't know if Richards is mentally ill, but clearly it appears that

at the very least he got anger management problem. I hope he gets help for his problems, whatever they are.

[fishwax]

61. welcome to DU, BeliQueen. I think you're post was far from a diatribe

:toast:

[EnviroBat]

81. Then don't buy the F*ing thing!

But don't point some bony finger at me and call me a racist if I do! Stay out of my business.

[MGD]

83. Dang. Feel the love.

:grouphug:

[qanda]

85. Why respond like that?

Feeling a little guilty?

[tridim]

2. I think people just like the show.

And DVD's are relatively cheap gifts.

[Ellis Wyatt]

3. could be because

Season 7 was the best season of the show. It had the highest ratings and had some of the most famous episodes (Soup Nazi, the one about being "sponge worthy", "Bosco", George & Marisa Tomei, Kramer & Newman and their bottle deposit idea, and Susan dying)

[WI_DEM]

8. Interesting since the show was beginning to decline in quality by that time.

[spoony]

82. Totally disagree

The marble rye episode, the soup nazi, the grapefruit winking, the seventh season is one of the best imo.

[brettdale]

11. No bearing

I think people know, that Richards was just angry and frustrated at a heckler and he lashed out, hes not a racist.

[Ignacio Upton]

13. Then why did he make a reference to lynching?

If he hadn't made the "fork up your ass" comment, then I would agree with you, but his original comment complicates what he said.

[Bluebear]

14. "50 years ago we would have hung you upside down with a fork up your fucking ass!"

Yes, people "know he's not a racist".

[brettdale]

25. He said that to upset the guy

He was being heckled, and he said the most hateful comments he could.

Michael Richards is 57 years old, if he was a racist you would think there would of been other incidents that would of come to light before this.

[BeliQueen]

26. Instigated

Richards was responding to a confrontation that he instigated. He started in on a group of people as they were sitting down for a night of comedy. They didn't deserve the treatment they received by Richards. You can not defend him on this one.

Let it go.

[Bluebear]

67. Please, try harder if you are trying to troll this subject.

Not even you could believe what you're typing.

[bobbolink]

48. Is there *ANY* line you're willing to draw????

:wtf:

Or, is it all that lovely "freedom of speech" shit?

[brettdale]

53. There is a a line that should be drawn

But losing it during a stand up routine isnt one of them.

[bobbolink]

54. That's as good a rationalization as any.

:thumbsdown:

[FairVotes4all]

70. I think he is a racist, and deserves his treatment...

But saying that sales of a show he was in corresponding with a resurgance in "White Power"... that makes no sense to me, much less boycotting a series that people like.

[Ignacio Upton]

12. I don't see a problem in buying a copy

First of all, "Kramer" is a character thought up by Larry David as a parody of a friend of his named Kenny Kramer. Unfortunately, Kramer is played by a petty douchebag named Michael Richards. Richards isn't an awkward and fun-loving guy...he just played one on tv.

[qanda]

23. You guys crack me up

You post something about Jackson's boycott being a bust and then say the sales being up have nothing to do with what Richards did and white folks rallying to buy the dvd. What a hoot!

[mondo joe]

30. Hm, I think the Richards incident does have SOMETHING to do with

the DVD sales.

But I think that's only because a show that hasn't aired new episodes for several years is on the minds of a lot of people because Richards is in the news.

That doesn't mean in any way that the sales are in support of Richards - just that people were reminded about Seinfeld just as a new product was coming out.

[brettdale]

31. Seinfeld fans are buying the DVD

For fans of Seinfeld this series is considered to be the best.

[qanda]

32. Then why bring up the Jackson boycott?

Then why have this post in GD instead of the Lounge if it's unrelated to what Richards did?

[MGD]

84. Perhaps the fact that it was released right before Christmas has something to do with it too?

:shrug:

[vireo]

35. Remember the season 6 episode with Jon Lovitz?

MADISON, Wis. -- A DeForest woman has been charged with felony theft after allegedly duping friends and co-workers out of thousands of dollars after claiming she had cancer.
http://www.channel3000.com/news/10425834/detail.html

[Clinton Crusader]

38. I'm mystfied as to why Seinfeld...

is being singled out as not having characters of color. Where are they on Cheers? Frasier? Friends? Everyone Loves Raymond? I LOVE LUCY???? ALL top rated sitcoms. Yes, yes, I know Michael Richards isn't ON the other shows. But as someone in this thread said, Kramer is a great, funny and fondly remembered CHARACTER. Michael Richards just happens to be the idiot who played him.

I'm not the least bit surprised the DVD sales are brisk. It's a TV SHOW that people love, often times called the greatest/funniest show of all time. These are ACTORS playing ROLES. I've seen Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander in other roles, but they will always be Elaine and George. I know, I'm an idiot and just don't get it...
:shrug:

[tammywammy]

39. I did see this one thread the other day

that talks about the lack of minorities in television.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2809738

[mondo joe]

68. Or for that matter, DY darling The Daily Show. nt

[LisaL]

75. Seinfeld did have a black lawyer character in the show.

So, if it's singled out for not having a characters of color, it's singled out wrong.

[-..__...]

60. I don't understand why this incident is still even news...

on DU or anywhere else.

:shrug:

As far as Jackson calling for a boycott... the man is either looking for headlines for himself, or has no concept of peoples buying habits. It's also pretty hypocritical of him to cast stones at Richards given his own history of making anti-semitic epithets.

[Irreverend IX]

62. I'm willing to bet that on a dark and stormy night...

A few weeks before Richards's outburst, he got a call from Jerry.

"Hey Micheal, the NBC execs and I have this great idea to hype the Season 7 DVD. Are you game?"

[LisaL]

74. I doubt this actually happen. But clearly all that publicity did not

hurt. Even though it was negative publicity, it really does not matter in the end.

[rinsd]

65. Well Season 7 is highly ranked among fans. Many consider it to be the best.

Its kind of like the so-called "Golden age of the Simpsons" (though debate rages over whether its seasons 3 thru 7 or 3 thru 6).

[bullwinkle428]

72. I was a big fan of the series but thought the last 2 seasons were weak in

comparison with the first few...didn't Larry David leave prior to the 7th season anyway?

[rinsd]

80. Larry David left after Season 7, though there was a new writing staff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seinfeld#Seasons_6_.26_7:_.22Crawling.2C.22_Return_to_Form

Personally I think of Seasons 4 & 7 as my favorites giving 7 a slight nod because so many of the episodes are all time favs. Here's a list

The Engagement, The Postponement, The Maestro, The Wink, The Hot Tub, The Soup Nazi, The Secret Code, The Pool Guy, The Sponge, The Gum, The Rye, The Caddy, The Seven, The Cadillac (1), The Cadillac (2), The Shower Head, The Doll, The Friars Club, The Wig Master, The Calzone, The Bottle Deposit (1), The Bottle Deposit (2), The Wait Out , The Invitations

[LisaL]

73. There is no such thing as bad publicity.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

77. What Richards Did Makes Seinfeld No Less Funny, And Kramer No Less Brilliant.

What it did was make Richards much more of an asshole in real life. That's it.

[ecstatic]

78. Looks like the heavy advertising on Stormfront is paying off so far!

HA! Just kidding. I really don't care if anyone buys this DVD. What KKKramer did was awful, but it pales in comparison to all the police murders of unarmed innocents that have been occuring lately.