THE LEFT COAST REPORT
A Political Look at Hollywood
Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories): 1. 'Kramer' Seeks Absolution From Jesse Jackson
2. Gloria Allred's Brand New Bag
3. Rosie O'Donnell's Anti-Aiken Behavior
4. O.J. and the Prozac Factor
5. Poor Jude Law
1. 'Kramer' Seeks Absolution From Jesse Jackson
After Michael Richards hurled the "n"-word at African-Americans he thought were
heckling him during his comedy act, entertainment experts started speculating
about whether his appalling outburst would be a career ender.
Richards put his best remorse foot forward by appearing on the "Late Night with
David Letterman" show apologizing for the hateful and hurtful words.
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But in his remorseful appearance, perhaps thinking he'd make nice with the
Hollywood left, the former "Seinfeld" star also tried to use Hurricane Katrina
as an excuse.
When apparently neither Oprah nor Dr. Phil were immediately available, Richards'
next step was to seek absolution from the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Richards appeared on Jackson's nationally syndicated "Keep Hope Alive" radio
program as part of what is shaping up to be an extended apology tour.
He said that he knew his comments hurt the black community and hoped to meet
with the two men to whom he had directed the epithets. He also told Jackson that
he had not used the language before.
"That's why I'm shattered by it. The way this came through me was like a freight
train. After it was over, when I went to look for them, they had gone. And I've
tried to meet them, to talk to them, to get some healing," Richards said.
Prior to the show, Jackson had called Richards' words "hateful," "sick" and
"deep-seated."
Jackson now says that the comic's inclusion on his radio show is a chance for a
broader discussion about "cultural isolation" in the entertainment industry.
In deference to another established civil rights leader, Richards also
apologized to Rev. Al Sharpton.
Richards' publicist, Howard Rubenstein, said that his client has begun
psychiatric counseling in Los Angeles to learn how to manage his anger.
2. Gloria Allred's Brand New Bag
Gloria Allred routinely manages to attach herself to highly publicized news
stories.
Most recently, Allred came up with a creative way to obtain some monetary
compensation for the two men who were directly insulted by Michael Richards'
racist bout.
In reality, there are no genuine lawsuit possibilities raised by the facts
surrounding the Richards "case."
But in the courtroom of cable media, Allred is insisting that Cosmo Kramer's
alter ego appear with her clients Frank McBride and Kyle Doss in front of a
retired judge so that the comedian can apologize and allow the judge to decide
on the proper remuneration.
Concerning her clients, Allred claims that Richards "went after them," "singled
them out," "taunted them" and "did it in a closed room where they were captive."
Personally, the way I see it, the folks held captive in most of today's comedy
clubs deserve some big bucks.
3. Rosie O'Donnell's Anti-Aiken Behavior
What a piece of work.
After outrageously slandering Christians, Rosie O'Donnell has now managed to
inflame gays, "Regis and Kelly" viewers, and Clay Aiken fans.
The former "Queen of Nice" recently slammed Kelly Ripa for reacting to guest
Aiken's muzzling of her mouth with his hand after he had high-fived half the
audience.
O'Donnell ripped into Ripa using the favored bashing technique of the left. She
labeled Ripa's response as homophobic.
Ironically, by using the term, Rosie effectively outed Aiken, a guy who has
repeatedly let it be known that he wishes to keep his sexuality private.
I imagine that at the pace O'Donnell's going with her insults, the audience of
"The View" may end up being punier than Katie Couric's.
4. O.J. and the Prozac Factor
Even after the cancellation of the horror show that was designed to promote the
hypothetical confession book, "If I Did It," which was ghost written for O.J.
Simpson, new information about the murders is continuing to emerge.
Mike Gilbert, a sports agent and former Simpson friend, told the New York Post
that, at the time of the murders, Simpson was on two prescriptions of the
potentially powerful drug, Prozac.
Prozac is in a family of medications that have been deemed a significant factor
in murders and other psychotic behavior by some experts.
"O.J. is very much out of his mind . . . [which] was complicated by the Prozac,"
Gilbert said.
Gilbert maintains that Simpson continued taking the drug because of the pressure
of the police investigation.
He believes Simpson's Prozac-induced mental state allowed him to murder while
avoiding a complete crackup.
5. Poor Jude Law
Jude Law has been nominated twice for an Oscar.
The guy has also had a long string of starring roles in films.
But now Law is claiming that he's in the poorhouse, and he's blaming his
impoverished state on his 2003 divorce from ex-wife Sadie Frost.
After six years of marriage and three beautiful kids, the settlement that took
place has apparently left Law so destitute he has had to engage in something
that for a big film star is a humbling living arrangement. He's had to rent a
place.
"I haven't got any money. I'm renting my house and I'm trying to save up so I
can buy it," Law said.
I think the actor's poverty report may be triggering some sleepless nights for
Paul McCartney.