Nov 25, 2006 7:16 pm US/Eastern
'Kramer' To Appear On Jesse Jackson's Radio Show
CHICAGO (AP) ―
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Michael Richards' participation in the "Keep Hope Alive" program is a chance to reach out and apologize to the black community, Jackson said.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Michael Richards will appear on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's nationally syndicated radio program to discuss his racist rant at a Los Angeles comedy club, the civil rights leader said Saturday.
Richards' participation in the "Keep Hope Alive" program is a chance to reach out and apologize to the black community, Jackson said.
"He is embarrassed," said Jackson, who spoke to Richards by telephone this week after being contacted by the actor's publicist. "I think he wants to recover from the pain he now feels and the pain he's caused others."
While he called Richards' words "hateful," "sick," and "deep-seated," Jackson said his inclusion in the radio show would be a chance for a broader discussion about black actors, writers and directors' "cultural isolation" in the entertainment industry.
"We might turn this minus into a plus," Jackson said.
Richards, who played Jerry Seinfeld's wacky neighbor Kramer on the TV sitcom "Seinfeld," was performing at West Hollywood's Laugh Factory last week when he lashed out at hecklers with a string of racial obscenities and profane language. A cell phone videocamera captured the outburst, and the incident later appeared on TMZ.com.
Richards appeared via satellite on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday, where he said the tirade was fueled by anger at being heckled, not bigotry. He also apologized to the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Jackson said Richards apologized to him, but his "public meltdown" showed he needs psychiatric help.
"I asked him, 'Why do you hate blacks? Have you been robbed or accosted or molested in some way?"' Jackson said. "He said, 'No, I can't quite explain it.' I said, 'That's why you need to talk it out."'
Richards' publicist, Howard Rubenstein, did not return telephone calls for comment Saturday. Rubenstein has previously said his client also wants to apologize to two men he insulted, but hasn't been able to find them.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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