Curb Your Enthusiasm - If only there were a horrible name

Season 7 Episode 9. I didn't think Larry David would even make light of Kramer's incident at all, even though he's never been known for his tact, it seemed like it was just too soon or whatever, but to actually do it and pull it off in such a perfect way is incredible. How do you do it Larry?!
No copyright infringement intended.

[@Chronos767]

nice to see Michael Richards has a sense of humour about that incident...

[@tolbydamit]

To be fair, even before the incident, he wasn't doing much.

[@chaddiamond8387]

Stop laughing, it's not funny

[@commentsenabled9963]

What? A sense of humor about the incident where he spewed racist hate. This is not that! This is Larry David trying to reduce the abhorrent truth about the racist tirade that came from Kramer- Micheal Richards. Only the worst most hateful violent racist could conceive of the words he said to some folks who just didn't find him funny when he was doing stand up! That's not dealing with hecklers- that's racism. It was unforgivable. I'll never forget it because it was the worst I've ever heard and I lived in rural Ohio with some real racist. Your comment makes no sense.

[@abdullahbahareth9509]

Unforgivable? Lol he didn’t molest a child or shot up a school.. What he did was wrong undoubtedly and toxic but no one was hurt or scarred and I can think of a lot of worse things that could happen to a group of people. Let’s not sit on our high horses and signal rightoues virtue when we all have our faults

[@originalJoeKing]

Not to say that that incident should be taken lightly. Because it most certainly should not be taken lightly.

[@WisamSafi1978]

This clip is the definition of Comedy = Tragedy + Time

[@raymondwatt9773]

To quote Alan Alda from Crimes and Misdemeanors, yes

[@dothebartman9156]

​@@raymondwatt9773(footage of a horse) if it bends it's funny, if it breaks, it's not funny!

[@PPKDude852]

Lol its funny how even when he's simply playing Michael Richards, he still acts like Kramer.

[@Moonpuncher1]

The first season or two, Michael Richards was clearly playing the original "kramer" character, with a little of his physical comedy. But Season 3 onward, you can see how Michael Richards injected a lot more into the role. Kramer went from being a pure loser/mooch/doofus into an enigmatic ladies "man of the people" who was friends with everyone and was always favored by fortune. Such an awesome way to elevate the role into something the creators never imagined for him!

[@TBrl8]

It’s better than acting like Michael Richards. That got him in big trouble 😂

[@ncarollo504]

Kramer killed Michael Richards

[@jackredelfs]

"What's this bull** with the hat?" Leon's answer to the question is priceless: "Put the hat back on your head."

[@halfhigh]

+jackredelfs delivery is fucking great

[@originalJoeKing]

I didn't even notice he said that until I saw this comment. Lol

[@babymaude8469]

Lmfao I missed that originally

[@jackredelfs]

It is a lot funnier in the context of the full episode, but I have to say this is one of the funniest moments in Curb Your Enthusiasm - maybe one of the best gags in sitcom history.

[@jackredelfs]

I think it is funnier in context, because in the episode, Michael Richards has indeed been tricked and he is completely justified in yelling at Leon--but because it is Michael Richards, he ends up looking like a complete tool. It is a typical example of some of the near-nihilistic themes running through Seinfeld and CYE alike--there is no justice in the world and no good deed goes unpunished.

[@spaceman-pe5je]

you get the reference, right? @@jackredelfs

[@stgm]

@@jackredelfs I've never seen this episode, and it is very clear that Richards has some sort of legitimate complaint to the guy.

[@jackredelfs]

@@stgm yup. thats what makes it so funny, michael is justified in being mad but because of his history he is automatically caught flat footed here. great.

[@commentsenabled9963]

OMG one of the best gags in sitcom history? LOL. Your pop culture knowledge is lacking. F*** racist Kramer Michael Richards and apologist Larry David for downplaying any black person's ongoing disdain, if not hatred, of Michael Richard's racist tirade! Who screams "NI**R!" repeatedly at a black couple when they heckle you as a comedian? A totally racist hateful white elitist who was trying to incite other audience members against a couple of black people who thought his standup comedy sucked! Some skit that makes light of it is not funny at all- it's stupid and thoughtless. You and 94 upvoting people should think about if it was you getting screamed at by a comedian you paid to see, who wasn't funny. Do you think you should get called a "ni**r" for heckling at a comedy show. There is a long standing tradition of heckling comedians and it shouldn't invoke a racist tirade! Richards kept screaming the word over and over and was clearly not at all concerned about using the word- what an angry total jerk! Having Richard's do his Kramer BS act to try to elicit sympathy out of so-called comedy is a cheap, bullshit ploy that you obviously bit- hook, line and sinker.

[@McNugget06]

Richards had balls for doing this.

[@spenser9908]

Dunno how Larry does it, but he can make comedy out of any situation.

[@leighfogg-liedel7839]

good to see Michael Richards is at least self aware

[@mechajay3358]

What do you mean? He always was self-aware

[@woahdaddy.standbackman.902]

its not even just self-awareness, he's taken full accountability for the incident, which has been made apparent over the years (even if his first apology on Letterman was pretty ridiculous). Not saying what he did is excusable just for that or anything, I just mean that its not like he's sitting in his house, meticulously planning the next time he'll drop the n-word lmao.

[@burtpatio]

@@woahdaddy.standbackman.902 You can tell from numerous appearances since that incident, including that coffee with comics appearance, that he just slipped up and probably horribly regrets it. Dude probably had a horrendous day that cursed him for a decade plus. Unfortunate meltdown for a tremendously unique comic. Jumping to that word in a full meltdown is likely a sign of some low level schizo disorder than pure racism anyway.

[@surgicalglitch3265]

This was a fantastic way of making fun of a horrible situation for everyone involved. The best way to get over a bad situation is to make fun of it.

[@-Rhy]

I love the “The Wire” gag when Leon first shows up to meet Micheal.

[@powpow9560]

how does the comment have so many likes? There was NO reference to The Wire. I know you're going to say it was a reference to Brother Mouzone, but it wasn't.

[@chrisdawson1776]

@@powpow9560 It's a reference to the Nation of Islam

[@powpow9560]

@@chrisdawson1776 exactly

[@Missteree87]

im black and i respect him for joking about a less than reputable incident. and besides, this episode was hilarious!

[@thebeardedjohn]

It's been ten years. Are you still black?

[@michaelj.r457]

Yeah, for me, this even more than the Letterman apology was his real redemptive moment. When you can make yourself the butt of the joke about something that bad, that's something.

[@CaptainTrips560]

@@michaelj.r457 the letterman incident is a masterclass in how NOT to apologize, and it’s the only reason anybody even remembers this happened at all

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Hearing Kramer yell "WHAT'S THIS BULLSHIT WITH THE HAT?!?!" is hilarious.

[@bantehayes9973]

Even famous black comics weren't angry at him for it(Dave Chappelle and Paul Mooney for example). They understood that he just had a breakdown by having a horrible stand up experience and a rough crowd. It was obviously wrong, no doubt, but he really felt bad about it. I'm just glad that he did this and took the judgement in stride.

[@danielcorro4835]

I feel like this scene captures the essence of what happen in real life. I don’t think it was hate fueled towards a race. I think He was just so mad and frustrated by the heckler that he called him a horrible name that would get him as mad as he was. Definitely was wrong of him to do, but time moves on and people learn from their mistakes. This scene is pure gold, all the actors are amazing and this is what comedy is all about

[@sdelony]

Its called pushing someone's buttons

[@ccsx222]

Hmm. Agree to disagree. He is a racist

[@stfn4472]

Doesn't make his actions ok, comedians are heckled all the time and don't resort to that, but I understand. The fact he was recorded means itll follow him forever unfortunately.

[@joelpocalips]

​@@stfn4472 "doesn't make his actions ok" ...he clearly made that point. "Definitely was wrong of him to do"

[@hambonejamboree7750]

@@stfn4472 Nobody said it was.

[@dpalaoro]

He still has it. He'll always have the talent.

[@PatternLand]

This was in 2008-2009

[@jonmann4980]

I somehow didn’t know about the original incident until after I saw this episode so rewatching it made it so much funnier

[@youngsmoke12345]

larry understands the best comedy revolves around reality.!

[@skinoff89]

He's still got it. And I'm glad he can make fun of himself and the incident.

[@nittany272]

I just gotta give Michael serious credit for doing this, especially since it’s improv.

[@clhound]

That guy really looks like Sugar Ray Leonard.

[@thatfilmgeekguy]

That guy looks like Brother Mouzone.

[@ponyboycurtis007]

my first though as well

[@LivingLegend83]

i see you favor a .45

[@carldorsey2604]

This is how you gracefully come back.

[@supermetroid009]

i was expecting Micheal to yell ..."Well God Help us" then run off.

[@Doggyps3]

Michael Richards is so freakin funny... when he realizes that he's been taped makes me burst in laughs...

[@KoolaySmoov]

This was perfect i love this so much only Larry could do something like this and get away with it

[@abzd9828]

Sometimes people mess up and say things they don't mean - we should learn to forgive. Michael Richards brought so much joy to so many people as that wacky character; I hope he is ultimately remembered for Kramer.

[@bjorn-jameshanrahan8183]

This is amazing!

[@throwcup]

It was really smart of how Larry David and Michael Richards were and the other people in character were able to kind of spin the absurdity and make it comedy. The n-word is one of the most horrible and complex words in the English language and we really need to all learn history and learn together for progress

[@Syzyg33]

I lost it after "what's this bullshit with the hat??!" damn Groats disease.

[@willdill4987]

He's gonna say it!

[@darkness2160]

Jst saw this episode and i laughed my ass off now I'm a big fan

[@Kyotosomo]

Can't believe he was willing to poke fun at that awful shit he said. Gotta respect that he was willing to be such a good sport about that situation, it was still awful but this does have me hoping that perhaps he was just having a terrible day or was just made a really bad joke; and that he doesn't actually have that sort of hate in his heart.

[@cugamer8862]

I don't think he's a hateful person, I think he just thought he was being edgy. But humor and our ideas of what is and is not acceptable are always in flux, and he managed to put himself on the wrong side of the line. Bad judgement, but it's not a pattern.

[@marneuscalgar001]

He said a word, stop being a bottomfeeder.

[@doct0rnic]

Im sure he needed the money

[@ferghalicious1480]

@Username It was pretty fucking awful

[@tubbylumpkins4885]

@Username “modern sensibilities”

[@answeranswered7437]

Pure genius!!!!

[@MikeH1986MikeH]

"I didn't think Larry David would even make light of Kramer's incident at all, even though he's never been known for his tact, it seemed like it was just too soon or whatever, but to actually do it and pull it off in such a perfect way is incredible. How do you do it Larry?!" I think you'll find it's Kramer that does it

[@evilpandakillabzonattkoccu4879]

Pure Gold. 🥇

[@LuneyTune72]

As horrible as what Michael Richards said, it is clear that it was not born out of racism but out of anger problems. The response should have been an apology to the man he screamed at and to the audience who witnessed it. As for the rest of the world, it doesn't really effect us, we chose to watch a video of a man having a mental breakdown. Society needs to stop its obsession with vilifying people and felling "betrayed" anytime someone makes an ugly mistake in their life. The reality is that when you have cameras on you all of the time, you will fuck up and people who wanted to see you fail or enjoy seeing a successful man fail will devour you whole and shit you out unapologetically.

[@Taxattack123]

I should watch this show more.

[@Yesiamblind]

0:27 Epic extra moment. Made me laugh so hard.

[@Xcoming2]

that dark skinned girl is fine.

[@jcnot9712]

I quit KZbin now you see why Leon went out of his way to dress goofy to hook up with her.

[@alevamopalcine]

You´re a genius!

[@whotfisjason7870]

just finished watching this scene and immediately thought " oh they did THAT???"🤣🤣

[@koolnkalm85]

Silly Cosmo

[@tommydowning3481]

Is it just me or is Michael trying his best not to laugh while he's yelling at 0:40 - 0:43 before he gets his bearing straight?

[@SplendidCoffee0]

I see it as more of a “I’m really pissed off” kind of smile.

[@fershred]

The point of this gag is for people to understand better what happened to him on that incident. He's saying "If only there was a horrible name I could call you so you know how angry I am" trying to state that what he said in the incident was just a way to disrespect the person who was making him mad, not a way to disrespect black people. Now I don't know michael richards so I can't say he is or not a racist person

[@AllPureSkill]

Getting the phones out lmao

[@sonoilluminati666]

PRICELESS!!!!!

[@jermboy911]

Now this was funny

[@ErikaMcQueen89]

Classic Kramer moment, with a lot of irony

[@atlasshrugged2u]

That was hilarious! I'm black and I still love Michael. I'm glad his real friends (and fans) stood by him. This is funny stuff at the end of the day and it just doesen't matter anymore, I wish him nothing but the best! Man I'm glad I'm not a public figure, I wouldn't want every word outta my mouth to be recorded. (Thinking of you Mel) LOL!! Life is crazy, that's all there is to say.

[@edwardanderson2042]

You must be insane.

[@trootzy]

You need to watch it again kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKCvgX-phseXqpI

[@58209]

i remember hearing about it, but that was so much worse than i expected. jesus. straight-up bragging about how he could have lynched a black person just because he felt disrespected.

[@jameswiggle]

@@trootzy lol you are a jackass...you think him rewatching it is going to change his opinion?

[@jameswiggle]

@@edwardanderson2042 naw you are insane if you cant forgive

[@spjfrat]

That Groats disease is really something. It all tastes like peaches. It’s not Michael’s fault here.

[@dead_head]

This is basically exactly how it happened in real life too

[@noaglobal7675]

That is super funny

[@FixItAMIGO]

lol Mike is awesome

[@holdemehha]

@INCProductions I dunno about ruining his career. He made his career with Seinfeld (a damn good one for sure), and he hasn't done anything since. If it wasn't for that incident, you probably wouldn't hear about him for another 20 years. I didn't think he still had a career at that point.

[@goatcheese4me]

The phones shown here during this time were hilarious on their own. Was the older man carrying a RAZR? The POV phone looks like the first generation of iphone.

[@KingCharltonHeston]

Hehehehe, poor Kramer. At least now he's getting paid for it.

[@atagamedev]

Larry is crazy man haha

[@GermoDante]

Proper humor.

[@AlyseAK]

lol i love curb man, this was epic

[@abaneyone]

Classic!

[@KulDeeSak]

This was possibly his best moment in season 7 of Curb. Way too funny.

[@jayheart83]

I love em

[@robb4394]

Michael Richard's was G.O.A.T.ed after this until Liam Neeson stole his crown in his guest appearance in Atlanta.

[@TheGreatBaronOBeefDip]

If only...

[@ScudX]

@Nargaaz It was absolutely intentional. The "Groat's Disease" thread was a very clear metaphor for his supposed racism.

[@arsebandit2000]

The Brass balls on these guys!!

[@bottleracket]

genius how they flip that shit around

[@youinanotherform1965]

@@cricketmad27 damn you. I came here to comment the same thing 😂

[@originalJoeKing]

@@youinanotherform1965 me too lol

[@mikekillagreen9432]

The only thing funnier than this was his apology on Letterman.

[@Monkeyman2357]

@Nargaaz Wow man....you knew it all along.

[@smugsheep3307]

There is no way this video should be that old. Where the fuck did the time go?

[@kennytesta9312]

Hilarious 😂

[@elloowu6293]

Damn the old iPhones were tiny

[@rckrckrckrck]

@INCProductions Agree. Good thing he doesn't need a career, dude is set for 20 lifetimes.

[@pmunkyandpals11]

I forgave him a long time ago :)

[@SalvableRuin]

I was never angry at him.

[@commentsenabled9963]

Really? Who says "50 years ago we'd have you upside-down with a fork up your ass?" Saying that means Richard's is nostalgic for the lynching era! When he says "We'd have you," he means us whites would have you blacks," upside down. He is referring to killing and lynching and torturing black people! He is also screaming "Ni**er" as if he is trying to incite the other patrons against them. Today in Trump's world, he may have incited some other racists to attack them. He is old and rich and has no business not being more educated and reflective about the human condition. He deserves no apology. He deserves to be hated.

[@tobeornottobe5611]

@@commentsenabled9963 You must be fun at parties.

[@jameswiggle]

@@commentsenabled9963 you are not black. if she wants to forgive him...let her

[@commentsenabled9963]

@@jameswiggle Yeah, anyone can forgive him- my logic and excellent points don't need to be heeded. Do what you want. Invite Trump to dinner. Hug a Nazi. Forgive a racist. I could care less what anyone does- it's a free country.

[@alphamilkrecordings8974]

Kinda like the shaking Fox.

[@RubenRyb66]

This was so much better than what jerry tried to do for him on letterman. Larry David is a genius

[@NoahStephens]

@INCProductions Nearly? lol

[@leorapier9389]

Sorry I laughed so hard I hurt myself.

[@IHateAmer1ca]

one action costing him he’s whole career is more than enough damage needed, at least he should be remembered for he’s acting. Not one little mistake.

[@joshfactor1]

well, actually, there is but it's not used in polite society

[@rickyray2794]

halilcasp Actually I think he thought he was a Nation of Islam member, Black Panthers weren't known for wearing the bowtie's but the NOI members are.

[@kessragnell]

@holdemehha Well, you make a good point, he probably would still be in the shadows. I think this is of course by choice however. Perhaps career was not the appropriate word, but it certainly sullied his reputation.

[@able506]

dannydooberstein just found my new xbox gamertag

[@martini1900]

@atlasshrugged2u ..well said..

[@lilrayray9881]

Whaaaaaat????

[@atlasshrugged2u]

@martini1900 Thank You :)

[@AJBurtonOperator]

@thedunneymonster I think you're late for your clan meeting.

[@skydark]

@1016111 they call each other with that name all the time.

[@domvasta]

To me it seemed like he was actually trying to teach the people heckling him a lesson, as to, this sort of behaviour is why they would get called that word

[@youngsmoke12345]

@eric8542011 it was just the way he went about it thats all.! he said it to hurt somebody, but shitd it was out of anger anyway so he smooth....

[@MALIRIPPA]

i love dis show seen every episode twice even dis one AS A BLACK MAN i love the way michael richards can joke about his lil incident a few years back PLUS the scene after this with larry jus had me on the floor i never laughrd dat hard BEST EPISODE

[@proni1]

redemption is a beautiful thing

[@WhoDeanyUnchained]

"Bean pie my brotha"

[@notboring0]

Certainly can't think of anything else/better he could do for his image. But aside from the mild success of Old Christine, the Seinfeld curse will probably continue....

[@cheezyfilmsproductions1842]

Considering how successful Veep has been for Julia, and now she’s even in the MCU, I think it’s safe to say the curse has been broken. For her at least

[@MALIRIPPA]

BEST episode of the besy show ever the ending just kills it with larry and his lil girl buddy u gotta love how richards can make fun of a thing dat ruined his life

[@lalittl]

Womp womp this didnt reinvigorate his career

[@AlpinKirkonen]

@3234718 THATS what's wrong with it?

[@erkicaplatz7212]

every cloud

[@AJBurtonOperator]

@asaidweeman28 agreed

[@skydark]

@Eversandero Still talking, huh?