Michael Richards' Meltdown

First of all, I wasn’t there. I’ve only been to the Laugh Factory twice in my life; once to see a friend of mine perform and once to perform there myself. After Michael Richards’ rant the Laugh Factory may consider a name change to the Gaffe Factory.

Micheal Richards is claiming that anger fueled his rant, not racism. I’m not sure what to think. Surely he crossed the line. But what made him so angry in the first place? Since the video started where it started, I don’t think I’ll ever find out. But having been on stage and having had to deal with incredible rudeness (the kind that most people will never have to deal with on their jobs), I can understand why he snapped. Stand up comedy is one of the handful of jobs where complete strangers think it’s okay (and somewhat expected) to yell stupid crap at you. At comedy shows some people completely forget the Golden Rule. (including Michael Richards) and they’ll chat and carry on while you’re trying to work and talk and remember the next line in your act. And believe me, stand up comedy is probably one of the toughest chosen careers going. That’s why there are more accountants, janitors and proctologists than there are stand up comics. It’s a career you have to be a little goofy in the head to go into.

So here’s where Michael Richards’ problem gets compounded. He’s not a stand up comic yet he’s played a funny character on TV so the Gaffe Factory lets him up on stage. Even though he doesn’t belong on stage. At least not on a comedy club stage. He’s an actor, not a stand up and although some have moved from comic to actor successfully, not many have successfully made the move from actor to stand up. Who’d want to, really?

Now Richards is up on stage, probably not being funny, but still carrying around his actor’s ego. Then there’s a couple of hecklers who probably found their courage to heckle by a two to one outnumbering and a few alcholic beverages. Next there’s the club management that’s not doing their job of policing the room and quieting the hecklers. Suddenly all hell breaks loose. He says things that are amazingly insensitive, the hecklers call him a has-been, audience members go from outraged to out the door, and Richards leaves the stage. Now Richards’ career is in the toilet, Jerry Seinfeld is on Letterman doing damage control, and some white guy seeking revenge is probably going to go to M.C. Hammer’s church and call him a has-been.

How could this mess have been avoided? Well, first of all Michael Richards never should have taken the stage as a stand up comedian. He isn’t one and he’ll never be one. And when he was heckled, he should have either ignored the hecklers, or asked them politely to be quiet. I’ve found that works best.

Second; folks, it isn’t your job to yell out, “You suck!” at a comedy show. If you think the comedians stink, leave and/or tell the manager. It makes more sense to yell at the IRS agent, “You suck!” while you’re being audited. But you wouldn’t do that, so why yell rude stuff out at some poor shmuck who made a lousy career choice? Even if they happen to be famous.

Third; the Laugh Factory should have, as Barney Fife would say, “Nipped it in the bud.” A friendly reminder of, “Please keep your table talk down.” said with a smile probably would have stopped any heckling in it’s tracks.

So, Micheal, if you ever read this, shame on you for your totally inappropriate tirade. You have embarrassed not only yourself but your peers. You have a lot of work ahead of you. And I mean work on yourself, not showbiz work. That work may be gone forever.

To the hecklers; Shame on you for crossing the line and treating another human being in a way you wouldn’t want to be treated.

And to the Laugh Factory; Shame on you for not “nipping it in the bud.”

Hopefully all of us, from audience to performer will learn something from Michael Richards’ Meltdown. Like remembering the Golden Rule and just being decent human beings.

What have I learned? Well, I’m considering a career in proctology.

November Fans Of The Month In Denver, CO

November’s fans of the month are from L to R: Honey Girl, Me, Janette and Kathleen. Photo was taken at Denver’s finest comedy venue: Comedy Works.