 Richards got his big TV break in 1979, appearing in Billy Crystal's first cable TV special.In 1980, he began as one of the cast members on ABC's "Fridays" television show, where Larry David was a writer.This included a famous instance in which guest Andy Kaufman refused to deliver his scripted lines, leading Richards to bring the cue cards on screen to Kaufman, causing him to throw his drink into Richards's face before a small riot ensued (Richards later claimed he was in on the joke).