MICHAEL RICHARDS HIRES PUBLICIST FOR DAMAGE CONTROL

Michael Richards is doing damage control. In the aftermath of his racist tirade against two black hecklers during a standup comedy routine, Richards on Wednesday hired a publicist with strong ties to the black community who set up calls to the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. New York publicist Howard Rubenstein (Left) took on Richards as a client, then arranged for the actor to call the black leaders. "Michael apologized profusely," Rubenstein said. "He wants to heal the tremendous wound that he's inflicted on the American public, and on the African-American community. ... I think it was a positive discussion." Jackson said Richards called "expressing his remorse and his confusion." "He's embarrassed. He got caught on tape. That's a big part of his anxiety now," said Jackson. "Clearly he needs some race sensibility training, and some psychiatric help. His anger is volatile and dangerous to himself and others," Jackson said. "I hope he gets the help he needs. But the culture that's producing this kind of animosity toward blacks must be addressed. ... We're increasingly facing cultural isolation in Hollywood, in the movies and in TV."

Michael Richards