sammi says

Do you remember three years ago when Michael Richards, most famously known for playing Cosmo Kramer on "Seinfeld," basically lost his mind during a stand-up comedy performance? He yelled hateful, racist statements at members of his audience who he claimed were heckling him. Then he appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" via satellite to apologize but really ended up seeming not sorry and really kind of strange and angry. After that, Richards definitely played it smart and laid low for several years. In fact, the first time we've seen him (besides "Seinfeld" reruns) is on this season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

As you've probably heard, the plot of this season of "Curb" is the planning and taping of "Seinfeld" reunion episode. In an earlier episode this season ("The Reunion") we see Larry David meeting with Richards to ask him to be a part of the reunion. Richards's scenes were funny but a little strange with him sort of dazed and confused (and distracted by boobs) that it seemed they were trying to keep his part to a minimum. That is of course until last week's episode ("The Table Read") where Richards is terrified to receive a diagnosis of Groat's disease (a fake syndrome created in season 2 of "Curb") and he asks Larry for advice. Larry says he knows someone with Groat's who's doing fine and he'll set up a meeting between him and Richards. In true Larry style, he of course forgot the man he knows actually died of Groat's, so he enlists the help of Uncle Leon (J.B. Smoove, one of my faves) to act like he has Groat's. When Richards finds out he was duped, let's just say he isn't happy. Watch the clip.



When I was watching this scene I was cracking up. It's definitely a funny way to deal with the elephant in the room. And when you think about the real life situation, it does seem like it's straight out of a fictional "Curb" plot line. Larry has done some really terrible things on the show and is always offending everyone. Would we have thought Richards's outburst was funny if it had only happened in the context of an episode of "Curb?" I know I would have. Granted, it was real life and a total mistake but I love that they didn't act like it never happened. I appreciate Michael Richards for being a good sport. Who knows if he truly is sorry or if he even cares what we think, but he is redeemed in my eyes because he reminded me he is a hilarious actor but also a human. Only Larry David could turn this situation into something we can all laugh about.