Jason Alexander's Thoughts On Michael Richards Racist Tirade 

Jason is so much smarter than his Seinfeld character. It's wrong that he never got an Emmy.

I met him in New York after one of his shows in Manhattan. He comes out and talks to every single person who watched it and takes photos with everybody. He’s not just a great actor, he’s a great person and genuinely cares about his fans.

Jason Alexander dodged that question like a pro.

Jason may be modest in stature, but he stood like a man 8 feet tall here. Heres a man who is loyal, genuine and has a great heart. Such integrity! Great respect to you, Jason Alexander!!

Jason is a gem. Seriously one of the greatest talents on Hollywood and a class act.

Jason deserved an Emmy for Seinfeld. 1000%

Respect for sticking up for his friend. He's not fake like Patton Oswald, who apologized for taking a picture with a "friend" Hollywood people were publicly angry with.

Seinfeld is like comfort food. You need it on a regular basis. I've never seen a show with better writing, production, direction, casting and of course talented actors. Laughter is such an important part of life, and Seinfeld gave it to us week in and week out for nine years.

I can confirm. As a kid I loved Kramer. I'd watch it with my parents and older brother just because I enjoyed his character. Now that I'm older I appreciate George.

We've been binge watching Seinfeld. Just finished season 8 last night. I have laughed out loud during every episode. It is a phenomenal show, and it is no wonder they won a laundry list of awards back in the day. I even encouraged my 23-year-old nephew to start, and he is loving every minute of it as well. I have fallen in love with all of the regular characters, but I have to say that Kramer is my hands-down favorite! Giddy-up! Jason shows excellent character in his response here. Thank you!

A response that had class and respect for his friend and the situation. Thank you Jason Alexander. 🙏

Mike Richards says he's not a racist, and I believe him. He was frustrated, and I DEFINITELY get that.

Jason seems like a genuine dude, I like him even more after this clip.

As a 37 year old black male I was hurt when I first saw the clip but to me he is still that dude! Much love to Michael Richards, gave me a lot of good memories watching that show.

I’m always extremely impressed when a person defends a friend even at his own potential expense. Well done Jason.

What an absolutely beautiful thing to say... Something like that can only come from a friend.. a deep and loving friend

That is proof of a REAL friend. who expresses love and admiration when many would turn away to avoid the offense of the incident

Always good to see someone stand by a friend and not throw him under the bus.

Well said Jason. Thank you for taking the high road.

This is what a real friend does. They stand up for you, even when you can't stand up for yourself.

Michael Richards made the show… basically every great moment in the series was in some way Kramer

Instead of just saying that he was a great actor on the show, he could have said that he never picked up on any racism in his 9 years of working together. He could have said that Mike's outburst was simply being fed-up with a group of rude audience members who couldn't care less about *his* feelings while he's working, and lashing out at them in the most hurtful way, going "there," where one isn't supposed to go. That's what one does when one loses composure, and explodes in rage. It was a tempest in a teapot, but because the dreaded "N" word was used, society made it a big deal.

Nothing was good or justified in what Michael did, but I can appreciate the kind-hearted nature in his former cast members’ hearts knowing him the way they did. I’m glad they didn’t pretend to not know Michael and suddenly distance themselves from any history with him. We all do things we regret, no matter what level the offense is to any given person or group, and we need people who truly know us to get through those moments if we desire to right the offense.

What I’ve noticed about that whole situation is NONE of the cast members just abandoned Michael and left him to dry. Jerry even had Michael appear on Letterman to apologize. It wasn’t right by any stretch of the imagination what Michael did, and none of them condoned it or excused it, but they also didn’t throw more fuel on to the fire. They all appeared with him again and Larry even got a hilarious story arc out of it for season 7 or curb.

Kramer is, and always be my favorite Seinfeld character. It's unfortunate what happened, and Adam is right, Michael Richard's paid for it with his loss of reputation. I very much enjoyed his character so much, I named my cockatiel after him.

Adam you’re better than trying dredge up some tabloid shit from 20 years ago. What answer is there when asking about Michael Richard’s tirade? “It was great?” Jason is a class act and answered with dignity.

Nice to see Jason didnt throw his colleague under the bus, and spoke well of him. These days its so easy to be scrutinized to hell and back for even being associaged with someone who is viewed problematic, apologies, regret and the passage of time be damned. Weaker people would have declared a complete severance from their friend. Jason is not a weak person.

He was also extremely funny in Weird Al's movie UHF. He almost completely overshadows Weird Al's character with his own.

I've seen one or two other interviews with Jason Alexander over the decades, he's always struck me as a very thoughtful and nuanced person. Good on him for steering clear of this question. The incident with Michael is a tragedy; he's not a stand up comic, but as an actor/entertainer he seems to take himself really seriously. What happened pretty clearly was just a joke that didn't land, and he paid for it with his career.

In the interview with Jerry Seinfeld on comedians in cars getting coffee Michael Richards discussed his repentance about the incident it’s worth a listen.

We all make mistakes. He has apologized. Time he makes more shows. He's such a gifted hilarious actor

Jason didn’t even comment on the racist tirade. “I marveled at Michael for 9 years. Seinfeld would have been lost without him”.

I'll never forget him on "Fridays" - I knew he was a comedic genious when I was 13...

What a *classy* response Makes me like him even more. God Bless you Jason Alexander for being a very decent human being

Mike got offended when he got heckled and in the heat of the moment wanted to say the most offensive thing he could think of as a form of revenge. It was completely blown out of proportion.

Jason never winning an emmy for Seinfeld is one of the most overlooked agregious things to ever happen to an actor.. noone else couldve made that show what it was and he carried so many episodes. I love jerry and larry and the rest but george was the highlight of that show every season

Jason should've won several Emmy awards. It's a discredit to the award that he never did.

This is a lesson in respectfully taking the high road under pressure.

YO Jason, it happened to me just before that episode: "There's no BUFFER ZONE"😂 Love EVERYTHING you do!!🎉🎉

I think Richards was just supder-duper angry that he was being disrespected, lost his cool, and said all that stuff simply because he wanted to really, really upset the heckler. I think he got caught up in the moment, lost all sound judgment, and just went off. Everyone has said stuff they didn't mean in regards to something they'd otherwise be sensitive to, just to really incite someone. Obviously his incident was on a whole other level than most, but I think it was from a place of "he's really making me angry, so now, for revenge, _I'm_ gonna make _him_ as angry as possible." I don't think it came from a place of racism.

When people make mistakes it seems like we want to erase them...why not use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. That's how we get better overall as a society.

Jason Alexander is the funniest man on earth. " tell him we are frightened and we had to go home"

Thanks Jason) every time I hear you talk in an interview I ‘m a bigger fan. Thoughtful always…and your Seinfeld character…Jesus…really really funny. )

Nice clickbait title and video description. Jason Alexander didn't utter a word about Michael Richards saying the N-word.

Jason Alexander is awesome. Completely defended his compatriot without any apologies whatsoever. The world needs more men like this. Men of character.

Jason's interviews on the RU-vid channel FOUNDATION INTERVIEWS are really insightful and really show what a sensitive and introspective guy he is. I haven't watched a lot of his body of work but those videos made me a fan of him as just a normal nice man.

This was such a great episode and interview.

Adam Carolla calling Gloria Allred a bitch is the most Adam Carolla thing ever😅

What's with all the jump cuts in the video?

This man should’ve gotten an EMMY !

this is how a real friend answers a question like that 👍 My admiration for Jason Alexander grew even more after watching this

Jason Alexander deserved Emmys for his role as George on Seinfeld and as the main character on Duckmam.

One of my all time favorite actors. Jason Alexander carried Seinfeld completely.

Worked for a company for years (that included the time of Richards' stand-up incident) that served both Jason and Michael. Honestly they're both great guys. Jason was just like you'd think: funny, warm and just a nice guy. Michael was a lot more like his character on the show; mercurial and unpredictable, but also a caring, personable guy. In one case I'd say he "lost it" with an issue relating to our company's services. But after the smoke had cleared he apologized with sincere regret and kindness.

I love it when friends have each other's back, through thick and thin. 👍

Despite Kramer seemingly getting the most attention, because his character was the most outrageous of them all, I think George low key was the character that made Seinfeld absolutely brilliant and relatable to viewers. From his multiple failed jobs, unsuccessful relationships, annoying parents, over-the-top angry tirades, extreme cheapness, manipulation tactics, etc. I mean, there's just a laundry list of things about George that made fans keep watching week after week.

Still my favorite episode of Seinfeld, when Kramer went onstage at the Laugh Factory………..

Kramer is the best character in Seinfeld, George is a very close 2nd

Jason Alexander and Michael Richards are such subdued, serious men in real life; it's pretty shocking when you're so used to the characters

Floored by this. Jason is a very genuine, cool person. I've never seen him interviewed and my assumptions about him were completely wrong. Now I want to buy him dinner.

I think it’s quite possible to say something racist to someone to hurt their feelings without actually feeling racism in one’s heart.

Can you imagine shouting that at a group of people? Me neither.

Richards lost it when those people were being rude & heckling him.

He actually didn't say anything about the tirade. Lol

In a different context, the fork joke could have killed.

This guy just wanted to gossip. Jason Alexander is a gentleman and he nipped it in the bud. Good for you, Jason.

Beautifully spoken of a friend. Kind and inspiring.

No one person can be defined by a 30 second rant.

MICHAEL RICHARDS a true Comedic Genius. 😁👍🏻

Kramer and George deserve the lion’s share of credit for the success of that show

This is how a loyal friend handles things

I feel about the same as Jason but, Adam, to ask a lawyer why her client needs to be paid is quite ridiculous.

With all due respect to Kramer, George is the best character in Seinfeld.

How dare he still love an old friend who messed up and paid the consequences of his dumb actions. Loyalty is disgusting.

The heart is deceitful above all else.

Jason spittin facts. Michael Richard’s brought an energy to the show that complimented it so perfectly.

Jason is always classy and well spoken. So cool to see him outside of George. He's such an amazing actor

The fact that anyone can even bring a lawsuit for something like that is completely ridiculous.

Well said sir. Friends don’t need to agree with what each other do or justify others actions but to say your true feeling for him was a class act.

I made Jason and his friends a whole steak dinner in Vancouver. I didn’t bother him but I dipped out of the kitchen to get a glance of their table to see if they had eaten. I changed into new chef whites as it was at the tail end of a Friday rush. I’m pleased to say, when I dipped out to see how the tables were doing, I caught his glance from across the dining room and he gave me a head nod and smile like, “it’s all good!” I kept my distance as he was also holding court at the table. But when Patrick Warburton came in, I was filling in for someone with a few cocktails in my system. I took his order and made his food, got off shift and took a picture with him outside, he threw his hand around my shoulder and we said “devils!!!” From fry cook to sous chef was rugged but downtown Vancouver, I had some cool experiences being able to work front and back of house. Met a lot of notable folks. That said, my time wasn’t worth the amount of corporate fellatio to make a better than cheque to cheque living. Back to labour but making 4x I did closing and running a restaurant frequented by celebrities. But damn do I get butterflies when I reminisce.

I was mad, but I forgive him.. I just want him to eat and be happy with a comfortable roof over his head.

Kramer and Niles Crane were sadly underrated physical comics.

Corolla's recount of Gloria Allred said about Michael Richards is demonstrative of why she is a shame to the legal profession. "He needs to pay" is not a reason to take on clients who literally have no claim and she has done it for 40 years. She never actually represents clients in real legal proceedings. It's always press conferences with tearful women, sometimes legitimately so, but who have no actual legal recourse against anyone. The queen of media hound lawyers who don't actually practice law. What she does is a million times more shameful than Richards' single unfortunate incident.

Michael Richards killed it in UHF

I love Michael Richards and miss him hands down one of the funnest and talented comics ever. A sad world where Gloria Allred still runs a muck and Michael Richards is canceled. Hasn't he suffered enough.

Really getting the hard answers on something that happened 17 years ago.

We all need friends like Jason Alexander.

It's crazy how the world is so politically correct now to the point we forget we are human...people make mistakes...people pay for them...that's why they say Karma is a bi$%# but the point is not what he did its what he did after...he apologized he made up for it...and I can easily say it's unfortunate we have lost a great comic to a human moment...Kramer is iconic...I have never seen a comic go above and beyond with their character like he did...I watch seinfeld to this day...and I truly feel michael is a good person and a great comic...regardless of his past mistakes. Great explanation Jason...

The guy had a temporary moment of insanity. It was a massive mistake and it completely wrecked his life. I believe he was sincere when he apologized. I’m not really in favor of giving people a lifetime X for a horrible error that they made.

good on him. im glad as well he answered him bringing up that low part and brought it back up to how he should be recognized. Kramer was a classic character and he is right kids, international and beyond responded to him he is funny to watch and listen to whatnhe has to say.

Thank you, Jason. You're a class act.

I loved Michael Richards' character on Seinfeld wholeheartedly! As a Black American, I understand what drove him to the slur. It was the ignorant, rude, uncivilized "black" jerks in the crowd. I'm saddened that it affected his career as it did. Much love from me goes out to our beloved "Kramer."

That’s cool that Jason stands behind him. I think most of us do. Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t go judging overs who life their life in the public eye.

Thinking about suing because you are offended by something in a monologue…my god what a sick society we are.

Richards had one meltdown. One. And they’ll never let him forget it.

Amen! Nice to see.

I always thought it was so horrible that Michael Richards' entire life was ruined over that incident. Yes, it was wrong, but he was being heckled and he got angry and said something he regretted and didn't really mean. He disappeared after this and it took a great toll on his overall health in addition to never being able to work again. He has apologized repeatedly and we never heard of any other *racist tirade either before or after this incident. Were those hecklers traumatized even though they started it all? Pfft yeah just enough to get paid.

Jason my man, pure class 👍❤️

Who doesn't snap and loose it under pressure? I am extremely calm, controlled, diplomatic, polite and I treat everyone with respect, till they give me reason not to. Then you see the side of me you never knew existed. And it takes a lot to get me over the edge. Jason & Michael are cool guys. I wish them both all the best in everything they touch.

We’ve all done stupid stuff. I know Michael Richards is sorry. I trust Jason and Jerry and I forgive Michael. I still remember that day. I was so disappointed in him. It was disgusting behavior and I believe no one knows that more than Michael.