This interview is like the "Seinfeld" episode where Kramer sells all of his life stories to J. Peterman to have Elaine write his autobiography. .... Then Kramer has nothing to talk about, so he buys terribly gross Postman stories from Newman. lol
What I have noticed from interviews and outtakes from Seinfeld is that Richards takes his craft very seriously. He seems to carry himself like a very serious theater actor. It must be tough because everyone just expects him to be funny. If he is not making people laugh out loud, he is a disappointment. It is an impossible standard. Pretty unfair to the guy if you ask me.
He would get pissed off at the other actors when they were doing a scene and screwed up or laughed. Michael has now said if he can go back he wishes he didn’t take things so seriously and had more fun while filming the show.
Everyone expected him to be funny because he did standup and called himself a comedian. He's actually a comedic actor, and when he's not playing a character he's just not funny. Jason Alexander is also a comedic (and dramatic) actor but he admits that he's not funny and has never tried to do standup.
A lot of comments here about how poor Michael is in the interview, but half the fault goes to Dave who does not even throw him a bone, but simply sits there letting him struggle. A good interviewer doesn't do that.
Dave was a terrible interviewer. He had a great comic wit, but he visibly didn't care about his guests or if they bombed. In fact in many cases he seemed to make it happen for comedy's sake. Good comedian, but definitely no Conan or Carson.
You can tell this is before the "Kramer" character became a household name and connected with the general public. That would only happen in 1993. The Kramer character in 1991 was very subdued and hadn't yet gained confidence. I think Michael would have been better received had it been 1993 and beyond. Proof of that was when he appeared in 2006 to make his public apology and people in the audience were laughing as soon as soon as he spoke. In 1991 he hadn't yet won over the hearts of the people and that was reflected in this interview.
He was known enough to have him on the show. It's actually how is in every single interview he's ever done. Look up "Michael RIchardson Interview" and you'll see he's the same every time. He's severely broken.
Letterman's the one that's making this awkward by asking lame questions and then acting bored. Michael Richards is a comic genius in his portrayal of Kramer.
He seems pissed off and grouchy like he doesn't want to be there. I think the public expects him to always be IN the Kramer character and he is very uneasy and disgruntled about it. He's not comfortable just being himself. It's his own fault for playing that weird guy role for so long. He got typecast.
He took a great role. Once in a lifetime opportunity. And he’s very grateful for it. Show biz always comes with awkward moments. I’m sure 80% of the time all actors feel uncomfortable. But you speak as if he’s disappointed in his life choices.
I kind of agree, as I’ve heard him talk about his struggles in showbiz and how it was hard to get away from Kramer. However, I don’t think he seems pissed off and grouchy. I think you’re the one who is expecting him to act like Kramer. From what I’ve seen, he’s actually opposite from that character. He’s a pretty calm and relaxed guy. I’m sure his character is always there with him and he feels the need to play that part but I don’t think he’s pissed off about it. He even said he was very grateful to Jerry for giving him that role.
Richards is a very smart guy, and usually very smart people are a little out there when it comes to social situations. Combine that with anger and a mental lapse in judgement, you get what happened at the comedy club.
It's an awkward interview but I'd just like to ask: where do these people on RU-vid come up with these footages? It's like everything that has ever been on TV can be found on here. Perhaps I'm just naive...
I've seen Richards on various talk shows over the years and he just comes across as "awkward". He apparently is one of those people that is only funny when someone else writes his lines.
@@johnvalentine3456 aww, whatsamatter? Letterman poke fun at one too many of your favorite powerful, wealthy, self-indulging celebrities? You literally are the joke, kid.
Michael takes himself waaaaaay too seriously. Then again, Letterman's an ass for assuming that Michael was a comedian in real life. Put the two together though and this is what you get.
Letterman is an ass but not for thinking he was a comedian, Richards got his start on the show “Friday’s,” which was a SNL ripoff. Stay in your lane, buster, you’re obviously no expert.
@@theMasterChiefRules Actually Richards was a comedian well before Seinfeld and so was Letterman. They did not personally know each other but they knew each other from the circuit.
@@Kearyjb oh. Well, you tagged me and said, “actually” as if you were correcting something I said. Nothing in my statement had contradicted the fact that Michael Richards was a comedian.
Literally everyone has a "dark side" then by your definition. Every person can be pushed to lose their temper and has thoughts and private things that would be embarrassing. Because we're all human beings.
How is it "full of hypocrites"? What are you even talking about? Why would geography make someone suddenly not a racist? And how are they all pedo rapists, when conservative groups such as the Church are well-known for those things?
But Richards was already hilarious in the mid-80s. You must see him in Transylvania 6-5000, also starring Jeff Goldblum, Ed Begley Jr., Geena Davis, Carol Kane, and others. It's almost a Kramer meets 'Young Frankenstein' scenario.
Jeeesus that was brutal, it's like the guy doesn't have a personality at all, bland af no wonder he didn't get nowhere after Seinfeld and had that breakdown in the comedy club, he ain't funny at all.
No idea how Letterman managed to have a show for so long. He has so many odd nights where he just decides to make the interview as awkward as possible for no reason, and you can tell Michael isn't a fan of these type of fake-laugh interview shows in front of a live audience.
David was always terrible.. he had the legend of Mel blanc on his show . It was like a deadbeat kid trying to interview probably the most famous voice actor in history.. David sucked....
Yeah....Michael Richards is rather boring in real life..he does seem like a prick..considering the whole comedy club thing but he DID apologize so it makes up for it. I hope he didn't mean what he said at the comedy club..but then again he did say he's not racist. who knows but he's really boring in real life and the Kramer character is COOL so it's a shame =/
he really is awkward. if you look at the Seinfeld bloopers, the whole cast laughs, while Richards gets upset that people screwed up their lines. he actually gets kind of abusive.
I tell you what I don't know if it's too late now.. But michael richards joining the army in a movie would be comedy,he could have been in the movie stripes.
i wanna see him and Dave chappelle do a show together.. at least Dave had sympathy for him. you tell me you never said something you didn't mean when you were angry and you'd be a lair.
David didn't do anything wrong!!! Hell, if Dave didn't kid with Michael a little then this interview would've been as boring as hell.Some of you people are too sensitive geez!!!
Incredible. Never seen this before. My impression of him on Seinfeld was that he was off the planet brilliant. As many comments here say - he is just so awkward and subdued. I've seen other actors who were similarly brilliant on stage but characterless off. Doesn't detract from his acting and comedic skills.
Just a great, great actor. I literally rolled off the couch laughing watching SEINFELD show. Micheal Richards was integral. Love him. Best comedy show ever going back to 1965 thru 2020. A gem.
i think the reason was partially self inflicted that his career like this interview had alot of talent and entertainment but somehow took a dive ... his attitude could use a little adjusting in some ways. He can be confrontational and then feel a lot of self pity and remorse. It wasn't THAT big a deal that he said those words it's that his emotions were uncontrollable and he needed a little help is all to balance himself out and realize everything was going alright actually and going to be fine
seems like if you can make letterman laugh, he'll leave you alone. if you're sitting there doing nothing or talking about jaywalking for a minute of airtime, he'll do a little prodding to get things interesting again.
I think many zany TV characters such as Robin Williams (Mork n Mindy) and Latka Gravas (Taxi) can pull off their 'zanyness' on chat shows.. Unfortunatly Michael R ain't one of them.
Seems like he had a long trip and couldn't care less about normal TV, interviewing. Guess that just goes to show, stick with what you know and don't try to cover too many angles.
