Radical Idea about Radical Marketing Tactics via Publicity

I'm sure many people have heard of the recent news about Michael Richards's use of racial slurs after being heckled at a comedy club. While I do not advocate what he did, I think it is the best thing he could have done for his career, simply because people have begun to talk about him. In fact in my opinion, I think the whole thing could have been staged. Although many people may say that he is just a racist (which may very well be the case), I believe that when certain coincidences are considered the whole thing was an elaborate publicity stunt.

Think back over the past couple of years. In fact, think back to after the series finale of Seinfeld. After that, have you heard anything great done by Michael Richards? Better yet, did you even know that Cosmo Kramer's name in real life was Michael Richards? More than likely the answer is no, unless you are a big Seinfeld fan. I consider myself a pretty big Seinfeld fan (nowhere near the point of anything close to obsession), and I did not know Kramer's real name {not Cosmo, I knew that, (Michael Richards)}. Recently after his racist remarks, everyone knows who Michael Richards is. Thanks to sites like youtube.com people have probably even seen and heard what he said. In case you haven't, take a look. Warning: the clip that this links to is very vulgar and is likely to severely offend or disturb you in some way (http://youtube.com/watch?v=U3RjiVcIlhY).

This is obviously very offensive and people have the tendency to overlook certain subtleties when something this becomes so public. They miss the bigger picture. Think about certain coincidences:

• Someone happened to begin filming the incident the moment before Richards went in to his tirade. Sure, it could have been edited to make viewing for the public more convenient. But, where is the rest of the footage? Usually, all of the footage can be found somewhere on the internet. I have yet to find it.


• Someone happened to be filming Michael Richards's stand-up. I have yet to hear that Michael Richards is a great stand-up comedian. Filming Michael Richards is like filming Pauly Shore or the guy who played Screech on Saved by the Bell, Dustin Diamond (both are stand up comics). No one wants to see it.


• Immediately after using his first racial slur, a woman can be heard right near the camera exclaiming "Oh my God!" Sure, that is a likely reaction after hearing someone use what can best be described as profanity; however, consider the venue. For some reason, at a comedy club or show political correctness is dropped and everyone is fair game. If you do not believe me watch a little of Carlos Mencia's comedy. He is extremely offensive and is applauded for his work. I doubt that this woman, sitting so close to the camera, was astute enough to realize that what Richards was saying was said in an attempt to hurt. It would have been apparent after a few moments, but not right away. Rather, I posit that she was part of the plan. If you notice, everyone immediately becomes upset, in fact that's when I became upset, after she says it.


• But, why do something so radical? Answer: Publicity! (http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=michael%20richards&btnG=Google+Search&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn). Everyone and there grandmother is talking about Michael Richards. A wise man or woman once said, "There is no such thing as bad publicity." I do not know who said it the fact is that someone said it and they were right.


• But, why the publicity now? Answer: Christmas. What's so special about the Christmas season. Nothing, aside from the fact that it is the busiest shopping season.


• What does that have to do with Michael Richards? Answer: Seinfeld Season 7 which was the biggest thing that in which Richards was ever involved. In fact, the victim of Richards's tirade even alludes to that.

I'm not suggesting in any way that what Richards's did was a good thing to do or that I condone what was done; however, I just think the whole thing was a little too convenient and I believe people should open their eyes to better observe the world around them.