Michael Richards wants to make people laugh again.
But the “Seinfeld” star remains haunted by his 2006 comedy club incident when he was captured screaming racial epithets at hecklers.
Richards appears on the latest episode of sitcom co-star Jerry Seinfeld’s web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” The title pretty much explains the premise, and Michael Richards’ episode features a rust-covered, duct-taped 1962 VW.
“Oh gosh that’s … I love it,” Richards responded when seeing the ride. “This is me.”
‘Kramer’ and Jerry piled into the VW, driving through Los Angeles, discussing the days when they ruled the sitcom world. Seinfeld recalled one of his favorite moments during their show’s nine-season run – an episode where a Kenny Rogers Roasters opened across the street from the pair’s apartment building, saturating Kramer’s apartment in brightness.
“When you opened that door and that orange light hit you and you leaned backwards, that was one of the funniest bits,” Seinfeld said.
“Those were the days,” Richards told his friend. “You gave me the role of my lifetime.”
“You gave me the experience of my lifetime, getting to play with you,” Seinfeld said.
The trip featured a stop-off at boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard’s house … only it wasn’t. Instead, the house belonged to comedian Jay Mohr.
Richards donned a blond shaggy wig and sunglasses for part of the segment, momentarily concealing his identity. But the lanky Richards couldn’t really hide, especially when walking with Seinfeld. The duo remains too easy to spot.
Richards opened up about his demons after the pair arrived at the coffee house.
“Sometimes I look back at the show and I think I should have enjoyed myself more,” Richards told his friend.
“Michael, I could say that myself,” Seinfeld responded. “But that was not our job. Our job is not for us to enjoy it, our job is to make sure (viewers) enjoy it. And that’s what we did.”
“Ah… that’s beautiful. That’s beautiful because I think I work selfishly, and not selflessly. It’s not about me, it’s about them. Now that’s a lesson I learned seven years ago, when I blew it at the comedy club.”
Following the 2006 rant, Richards fumbled through apology attempts before withdrawing. Outside of projects with fellow “Seinfeld” alums – including “Bee Movie” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” – Richards hasn’t appeared in any major roles since his ill-fated comedy set.
Richards said the viral, career-halting moment broke him down.
“Inside, it still kicks me around a bit,” he said.
The disclosure seemed to brighten Richards’ spirits. Following the conversation, the “Seinfeld” stars posed for pictures with smiling fans. And then it was back to the 1962 VW, with Jerry and ‘Kramer’ rolling along, looking beyond the rust.