Richards to appear on Jesse Jackson show

By MEGAN REICHGOTT, Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO - Michael Richards will appear on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's
nationally syndicated radio program to discuss his racist rant at a Los
Angeles comedy club, the civil rights leader said Saturday.

Richards' participation in the "Keep Hope Alive" program is a chance to
reach out and apologize to the black community, Jackson said.

"He is embarrassed," said Jackson, who spoke to Richards by telephone
this week after being contacted by the actor's publicist. "I think he
wants to recover from the pain he now feels and the pain he's caused
others."

While he called Richards' words "hateful," "sick," and "deep-seated,"
Jackson said his inclusion in the radio show airing Sunday would be a
chance for a broader discussion about black actors, writers and
directors' "cultural isolation" in the entertainment industry.

"We might turn this minus into a plus," Jackson said.

Richards, who played Jerry Seinfeld's wacky neighbor Kramer on the TV
sitcom "Seinfeld," was performing at West Hollywood's Laugh Factory
last week when he lashed out at hecklers with a string of racial
obscenities and profane language. A cell phone videocamera captured the
outburst, and the incident later appeared on TMZ.com.

Richards appeared via satellite on the "Late Show with David Letterman"
on Monday, where he said the tirade was fueled by anger at being
heckled, not bigotry. He also apologized to the Rev. Al
Sharpton.

Jackson said Richards apologized to him, but his "public meltdown"
showed he needs psychiatric help.

"I asked him, 'Why do you hate blacks? Have you been robbed or accosted
or molested in some way?'" Jackson said. "He said, 'No, I can't quite
explain it.' I said, 'That's why you need to talk it out.'"

Richards' publicist Howard Rubenstein said Saturday his client has
begun psychiatric counseling in Los Angeles to learn how to manage his
anger and why he made the racist remarks.

"He acknowledged that his statements were harmful and opened a terrible
racial wound in our nation," Rubenstein said. "He pledges never ever to
say anything like that again. He's quite remorseful."

Richards has been trying to locate the two men he insulted so he can
apologize, Rubenstein said.