Susan on 'Seinfeld' 'Memba Her?!
Heidi Swedberg is best known for playing George Costanza's fiancée Susan on the now classic '90s TV series "Seinfeld." Guess what she looks like now!
Michael Richards Takes In a Little Pee Wee
Michael Richards checked out the "Pee Wee Herman Show" in L.A. last night -- because if there's anything Kramer appreciates, it's a comic with a scandalous past.
Richards even signed a few autographs on the way out of the show -- including one for a guy in a BET shirt ... who happened to be white.
Still, progress is progress.
See Also
Kramer Turns Racist Rant Into a Joke
Three years ago today, Michael Richards took the stage at the Laugh Factory and unleashed the racist tirade that would change his life forever -- but now he's turning the whole thing into a joke ... arguably inappropriate.
![110723_michael_richards_2006_kal](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/d9/16by9/2023/11/07/d98d107059a2453f87e80c465a19ca33_md.jpg)
Richards made light of the rant on this weekend's episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." During one of the scenes, Richards -- playing himself -- blows his top at an African-American character, saying, "If only there were a horrible name that I could call you ... that would make you as angry as I am."
A group of spectators who witness the tirade instantly whip out their cell phones and begin to record. Richards, realizing the similarity of events, screams and bolts.
Couple of problems here: First off, the original tirade was shot on a DIGITAL CAMERA -- not a cell phone.
Second: Is Richards mocking himself ... or the digital-recording culture that exposed his greatest mistake? In other words, is Richards and "Curb" trying to make a bad joke out of a serious situation?
See Also
Jason Alexander -- No Butts About It
It can be hard for people of a certain body type to find jeans that fit at the Gap -- and Jason Alexander and his "Gap ass" are no different.
![0-kbwfdrwj](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/56/16by9/2011/12/17/56612ae19af85635b9b3e1120eca9093_md.jpg)
More "Seinfeld"
Kramer's Coming Back Atcha -- You Ready?
It's been almost three years since his infamous n-bomb tirade at the Laugh Factory -- but it seems Michael Richards is finally gearing up for his big comeback ... that is, if you'll let him.
![0-n760hafl](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/75/16by9/2011/12/17/75a4c233051c51df94c90dbea7e2d150_md.jpg)
Kramer was all smiles when we saw him last night in NYC, and why not? He was just on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and is reuniting with his old "Seinfeld" pals on an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
These could be the first steps out of that deep, dark black hole his career has been in for the last three years -- so we gotta ask ...
Moer Kramer
Judge on Seinfeld Case: Lawsuit's About Nothing
A lawsuit claiming Jerry Seinfeld's wife, Jessica, stole the idea for her best-selling cookbook was tossed out by a Federal judge yesterday.
A woman named Missy Chase Lapine sued the Seinfelds claiming they took her idea for a cookbook about sneaking healthy foods into kids' meals.
But -- yada yada yada -- the judge tossed it out.
Mrs. Costanza -- Where's the Beef?
Estelle Harris, aka George's mom from "Seinfeld," was just looking for a hunk of meat this weekend at a Ralphs supermarket -- but instead she ended up giving us a "Seinfeld" scoop.
![0-xut32isp](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/d9/16by9/2011/12/17/d98ba68402d05d39bd9e6f5305cd1efd_md.jpg)
See Also
Brit: I Don't Need No EPT, Y'all!
Cancel the national emergency -- Britney Spears is not pregnant. Two is enough!
TMZ caught Britney out at Ralph's grocery store last night where she told us that pregnancy test she was holding in photos seen yesterday wasn't for her -- but for "a friend." Do her other personalities count as friends?
Later on, Brit went to the trendy clothing shop Kitson -- at 1:30 AM! She had the owner of the store, Fraser Ross, open it up just for her. She walked in wearing a short red dress, but walked out with a dress shirt and tie thrown on top.
But the ripped stockings were a nice touch.
Martha's Dishes Made My Kids Sick!
A Pennsylvania couple is suing Martha Stewart Living and K-Mart, claiming the domestic diva's "Everyday" dinnerware -- with the lovely name "Flowers and Buds Border" -- contains lead and is responsible for poisoning their children. Get the lead out!
In the lawsuit, filed on behalf of their two kids Michael and Matthew, Sandra and Raymond Dombroski allege the boys were poisoned by lead in the dinnerware, which caused the boys to suffer "mental, emotional and cognitive impairment, learning disability" as well as speech problems and physical impairment and a host of other problems. That's not a good thing!
The Dombroskis say that the lead problem is a result of "negligent, reckless, intentional and outrageous conduct of MSLO..." (that's Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia), and they've served up a heaping lawsuit asking for compensatory and punitive damages.
A spokesperson for MSLO told TMZ "We take consumer product safety very seriously. We do not comment on pending litigation."
See Also
Chef to Dems -- You Do Chicken Wrong!
Tom to Jerry -- Suri's Real and She's Spectacular
Gene Wilder's 'Seinfeld' Connection
"Young Frankenstein" funnyman Gene Wilder appeared at a book signing in NYC for his new novella, "My French Whore," looking something like "Seinfeld's" Mrs. Costanza, actress Estelle Harris.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
See also
Wayans Drops N-Bomb, Faces Fallout
Damon Wayans became the first famous offender of the Laugh Factory's ban on the use of the n-word, and was fined and banned from the club for three months as a result, Wayans' publicist tells TMZ.
After the Michael Richards incident on November 17, the club decided to ban use of the word and fine comedians $20 for every offense. Wayans took the stage Sunday during a showcase of African-American comedians called "Chocolate Sundaes." Wayans opened his routine with the line, "Give yourselves a big round of applause for coming down and supporting 'N***** Night.'" According to the L.A. Times, Wayans used the word 15 more times during his 20-minute appearance.
That's a $320 contribution to the Laugh Factory's swear jar. Wayans' rep had no further comment other than to confirm the fine and the temporary ban.
Andy Dick drew fire earlier this week for using the n-word during an appearance at the Improv.
See also
Kramer Rant Boosts DVD Sales
It seems that there really is no such thing as bad press -- even press generated by racist tirades.
Sales of season seven of "Seinfeld" are up 75% over season six and 90% over season five -- after one week of sales, according to website DVD Empire. Meanwhile, DeepDiscountDVD.com reports a staggering 178% increase over season six. Sales are up despite Jesse Jackson calling for a boycott.
Seasons five and six were released on the same day last year. TMZ's video of Michael Richards' hideous harangue was first seen on November 20 -- one day before season seven was released. Richards went on "The Late Show with David Letterman" that same night to apologize.
To paraphrase Seinfeld ... is there anything wrong with that?
Related
Articles
Hottest Videos -- Week of 11/19
Whats the deal with Michael Richards? The former "Senifeld" star unleashed a tirade of racial slurs toward a group of African-American audience members who heckled the "comedian." Warning: This video is profane and racial.
Maybe Beyonce hates the crowded conditions of the Area nightclub, or perhaps she was just tuckered out from slaughtering defenseless animals for her fur coats. Whatever the reason, it didn't stop her man Jay-Z from having fun while Beyonce sat in the car for 40 minutes, presumably adjusting the stereo pre-sets.
Related
Articles
Richards' Rant -- Not The First Time
Did Michael Richards attack the Jews? Two Los Angeles residents have come forward and said that's exactly what happened last Spring at L.A. comedy club, The Improv.
Carol Oschin and J.P. Fillet say they were at The Improv on April 22 when Richards took the stage. They say that in the middle of Richards' skit, a man in the audience said something to the comedian, when Richards allegedly launched into an anti-Semitic rant. According to Oschin, Richards screamed at the audience member, "You f***ing Jew. You people are the cause of Jesus dying."
Oschin says the rant continued and Richards stormed off the stage. Oschin and Fillet say that, at first, they thought Richards' tirade was part of his act, but claim that it quickly became apparent it was not.
Richards' publicist, Howard Rubenstein, confirmed to TMZ that Richards did make derogatory comments about Jews, but says it was part of his act. Rubenstein says Richards told him, "I'm not anti-Semitic. I was playing a role and poking fun at the rednecks."
Related
Article
Photos
'Kramer's' Racist Tirade Caught on Tape
WARNING: WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE IS PROFANE AND RACIAL
Michael Richards exploded in anger as he performed at a famous L.A. comedy club last Friday, hurling racial epithets that left the crowd gasping, and TMZ has obtained exclusive video of the ugly incident.
![110723_michael_richards_2006_kal](https://imagez.tmz.com/image/d9/16by9/2023/11/07/d98d107059a2453f87e80c465a19ca33_md.jpg)
Richards, who played the wacky Cosmo Kramer on the hit TV show "Seinfeld," appeared onstage at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood. Kyle Doss, an African-American, told TMZ he and some friends were in the cheap seats and he was playfully heckling Richards when suddenly, the comedian lost it.
The camera started rolling just as Richards began his attack, screaming at one of the men, "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a f***ing fork up your ass."
Richards continued, "You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherf**ker. Throw his ass out. He's a nigger! He's a nigger! He's a nigger! A nigger, look, there's a nigger!"
The crowd is visibly and audibly confused and upset. Richards responds by saying, "They're going to arrest me for calling a black man a nigger."
One of the men who was the object of Richard's tirade was outraged, shouting back "That's un-f***ing called for, ain't necessary."
After the three-minute tirade, it appears the majority of the audience members got up and left in disgust.
Attempts to reach Richards' reps were unsuccessful.
Five Secrets to Comedy
For every 'Seinfeld,' there are 100 like 'Emily's Reasons Why Not.' Why do most shows go so wrong, and a select few become iconic? TMZ has the secret to five great comedy TV shows, courtesy of two truly iconic funny people: 'Saturday Night Live' legend Cheri Oteri, and writer Alan Zweibel ('SNL,' 'The Garry Shandling Show,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm').
Homer: The Committed Imbecile
When the animated series about a yellow family with funny hair premiered on FOX in 1989, no one expected it to live through the millennium. Seventeen seasons later, it's clear there's something quite genius about 'The Simpsons.'
The secret here is that the characters, although animated, are completely relatable. "It's fun to watch Homer speak directly from the empty place in his mind," Oteri says. "Everyone wants to say their stupid thoughts, but stops themselves." To Zweibel, the people of Springfield makes no apologies for the bigoted beings that they are, and because it's a cartoon, laughing at the screen doesn't seem so dirty.
Louis-Dreyfus Says There's No 'Seinfeld' Curse
"Seinfeld" curse? What "Seinfeld" curse?
"My short answer is I have no worries about that because I'm on a heavy dose of antibiotics right now," actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus said Wednesday.
With that, she deflected questions about the inability of former "Seinfeld" cast members to have much television success after that NBC hit ended its run. Louis-Dreyfus' own "Watching Ellie" is in the wastebasket of failed shows.
You just have to keep trying, said Louis-Dreyfus, who is portraying a divorced mom in "The New Adventures of Old Christine," which will premiere on CBS this spring.
Her goal isn't to find a different character from Elaine, just to find someone funny, the 45-year-old actress said.
"I think the difference with this character is that perhaps she's a little more grounded and perhaps she's a little bit more real in a way that Elaine wasn't," she said. "But I would say that she has a pathetic quality that is similar, frankly. So set your TiVos."
Her 8-year-old son found it a little odd to watch his mom onscreen kissing another 8-year-old boy, she said.
"He's subsequently gotten over it," she said. "He knows I love him."