I just watched a clip of Richards apology from Letterman last night. A bit clumsy, but definitely sincere. I think he tried to be outrageous and funny dealing with the hecklers, and fell flat on his face. 

I worked at a comedy club for a number of years, and have seen more than a little heckling. The responses from the comedians have ranged from brilliant to incindiary to pathetic and meek. The real pros know what to do to embarrass the people disturbing the show for everyone else. I tossed a few hecklers from the club myself, which was always more fun when they were drunk because I could pretty much do whatever I wanted.

The absolute favorite incident I had was when some rednecks sitting next to the stage were ripping on Bobby Slaton. He finally says to one of the women "close your legs - I'm getting an echo up here". The whole table charged the stage and it ended up like a melee on Springer.  

The best overall at dealing with hecklers has to be Ritch Shydner (who ironically is the author of the book that Seinfeld was plugging on Letterman last night). He gives the hecklers boot camp type instructions on how to do it better. It was always so hilarious and full of energy that the hecklers would get laughed into submission or out the door.

I must say that I laugh inside at how outraged people act over the use of the word nigger. It's not any more insulting than any number of terms describing various people of whatever race, ancestry or sexual preference, yet seems to have it's own set of rules. Anyone serious about reducing that word's use need to be consistent in criticizing any use of it - whether rapping or not. But what do I know, I'm just a Christ killing Hebe.