Many of the thoughts that I have had about this media story have been touched on in scattered comments here and there throughout this thread.
I agree that Mr. Richards made a mistake, and that his comments crossed a line of inappropriate behavior. However, I believe most people agree to this in hindsight, as well as Mr. Richards. By most standards of decency, it was wrong, and he shouldn't have done done it.
Now, as to an analysis of the intent, reasons, provocation, and underlying racism in his character, none of us really knows. Some here have stated that they too have made mistakes, and said things they regret. I think we all have. Anyone who has been in a troubled relationship might have said things to a spouse, or boyfriend/girlfriend that we really did not mean. As others indicated, it is said in anger to hurt the other person, not from the heart, but without thought.
I also choose to view this incident as an exceptional circumstance whereby many are applying rules of behavior that we ordinarily would expect in public, in the workplace, or by politicians, police officers, and public officials. However, performers and entertainers are a different breed, who live in a different world, and their "work-place" often involves a fantasy world that does not conform to the normal rules of society. This doesn't excuse the behavior, but it often explains why they go out of control, or step over a line before they realize what they have done.
Take, for instance, comedians like Don Rickles. His entire act for decades has been about insulting people in the audience. He and others have used sexist jokes, racial comments, and picked on all sorts of cultures and religious beliefs. When these comedians get heckled, sometimes they begin to sweat. They feel the pressure. This is their lively-hood, and if they are successful and the audience likes them, they are paid good money to perform again and again.
On the other hand, when some wise-cracking audience member (often a loud mouth drunk) becomes a "part of the act," the comedian might feel threatened. If the heckler makes them look bad, or gets more laughs than the comedian, stress kicks in. Some of these performers might be a little drunk, or on something to help calm their nerves for the performance. This might reduce the inhibitors in the brain which tell us, when we are tempted to lash out with a cutting remark, "No, don't say that!" Instead, they let loose, with anger, rage, and a defense mechanism that has now gone out of control. Some, more seasoned comics, are better at choosing tactful responses.
The problem is that a comedian is on a stage - - a performer being someone they are not. You will often find that many bold, mouthy comedians and talented actors are really very shy, quiet, and reserved in their everyday life. When they go on stage, they become a "character." These characters often say things during the act that the comic would never say to anyone in their real life. It is a different environment. If the audience was watching a play about slavery, and Mr. Richards was portraying a racist slave owner, they would not be so shocked to hear him read lines of a script that said the same things which he spoke in anger.
Is there a difference? Yes, in our minds there is. Yet in the mind of a performer, he can very easily become caught up in the moment, and the "character" that is emerging on stage. If the audience member "contributes" to the act, and Mr. Richards used racial slurs in a rant that might have seemed comical to him at the time (I believe I heard some audience members on the tape laughing during his rant), or intentionally outrageous, he might have done so in the guise of an alternate personality. He may have been acting defensively and put on a "racist character" to blow the whole thing so far out of proportion that the heckler's comments would be diffused, and perhaps the heckler would cease.
My feelings is that none of this excuses the behavior, or lends support for this to occur, but I believe we should take all things into consideration, and view this for what it appears to be - - a comedy act that went bad! Some have said that a "good comedian" would have done this or that, but Mr. Richards is not as smooth on stage as Jerry Seinfeld. Yet, most every comic has probably said something inappropriate to an audience heckler at some point in time. It just didn't make the news because it wasn't on tape.
I used to be the manager of a nightclub that hosted comics once per week. Comedy clubs often get very raw, so I think it is a fine line to say one comedian can say this racial comment or that one, but not those remarks. In the heat of the moment, Mr. Richards crossed the line in performing a comedy act. I don't believe it was an "Andy Kaufman" type stunt, but I also don't believe it will end Mr. Richards' career. If anything, it might help in the long run. Some subscribe to the notion that there is no such thing as bad publicity in show business.
In any event, I think Mr. Richards knows he was wrong. He has apologized, and its over and done with. He's not going to change the past, so it is best to change for the future. Time for everyone to move on, and let him be a better person from now on. If you don't like the comedian, don't pay to watch his act. If you don't want to be verbally slapped by a comic, don't heckle them while they are trying to do their job and make a living.
Last Fearner
