MSNBC suspends Imus simulcast for two weeks

[RamboLiberal]

Source: MSNBC

After a career of cranky insults, radio star Don Imus was fighting for his job Monday following one joke that by his own admission went “way too far.”

Two of the nation’s biggest media companies — CBS Corp. and NBC Universal — will ultimately decide the fate of Imus’ daily program after he referred last week to members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.”

NBC News President Steve Kapas released this statement late Monday: “Beginning Monday, April 16, MSNBC will suspend simulcasting the syndicated ‘Imus in the Morning’ radio program for two weeks. This comes after careful consideration in the days since his racist, abhorrent comments were made. Don Imus has expressed profound regret and embarrassment and has made a commitment to listen to all of those who have raised legitimate expressions of outrage. In addition, his dedication — in his words — to change the discourse on his program moving forward, has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate. Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word.”

The previously scheduled Imus radiothon in support of the Tomorrow's Children's Fund, the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and the Imus Ranch will air, as scheduled, this Thursday and Friday on MSNBC.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17999196/

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The charity shows explain why it isn't immediate.

[49jim]

1. Why wait until April 16th? n/t

[sabbat hunter]

4. there is a

radiothon that MSNBC will be simulcasting thurs and friday of this week,

[Vinca]

38. Imus does the telathon annually for SIDS.

[SKKY]

39. I nominte Stacy Talor from KLSD in San Diego to replace him...

I'm telling you people, Stacy Taylor is THE up and coming. We've just got to get him off of San Diego AM radio first.

[Rose Siding]

2. That statement says they're going to give him a pass

Slap his hand, then welcome him back KNOWING his hightened profile will be good for their bottom line.

[RamboLiberal]

5. But I bet he's on one very short leash

What's the pool on how long before he screws up and does get fired?

[AngryOldDem]

8. I wonder if they'll muzzle McGuirk

He gets a lot of that shit started.

[Renew Deal]

37. He's not going anywhere for 2 reasons.

1 is that CBS can't afford to lose him after losing Howard Stern. The other is that all of this is publicity for Imus. And publicity means ratings.

[mzmolly]

16. Yep.

:(

[NashVegas]

23. Basically, Yes

Unless they find his temporary replacement is equally promotable, for less money.

[Julius Civitatus]

3. Not many people will notice anyway

His show SUCKS, and he is a cranky, craggy, vicious old man.

[femrap]

13. Imus is a small person...

this is nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

I think those who were outraged by his comments should keep the heat on msnbc.

[Joe Bacon]

33. Sounds more like a TWO WEAK SUSPENSION

Imus is such a boring old fart.

[democrat2thecore]

6. If Sharpton wasn't leading the way

Seriously, if Al Sharpton wasn't the one out front on all of this, it would help. People know Reverend Al for being very much what he is accusing Imus of being. I know, I like a lot of what Al says at times, but he's made a LOT of racist comments in the past, toward whites, Jews AND Hispanics. Someone with more credibility on the issue should be making the noise.

[senseandsensibility]

7. I disagree completely

It was when Sharpton issued his threat of a protest , (which I hope he fulfills), that it started to get some serious media attention.

[American liberal]

10. "Al"? Didn't realize you were on a first-name basis with Rev. Sharpton

[democrat2thecore]

11. A lot of people refer to him as Al

I'm also not on a first name basis with Hillary, but I rarely call her, "Senator Clinton." You obviously disagree with what I said, which is fine, but that is nit-picking.

[American liberal]

18. But don't you understand that it's disrespectful and a way that the media

distorts?

I think there's another thread about the very thing you mention in calling Sen. Clinton "Hillary." It's demeaning and disrespectful, which is all I'm trying to point out.

[democrat2thecore]

26. But it's okay to call Bill Clinton "Big Dog"??

That's not even the issue. I could have posted calling him the great, the wonderful, The Reverend Alfred Sharpton and you would have taken me to task for what I wrote. BTW, I don't think it's disrespectful at all. The man is in the public eye and ran for president. people were always calling him, "Al." Have you seen Hil.....I mean, Senator Clinton's campaign website? What does it say right in the logo? http://www.hillaryclinton.com

[American liberal]

28. Oh, and now you can tell me how I am apt to respond to your posts?

Puh-leeze.

I stand by my statements. I don't think I have EVER thought of or referred to Rev. Sharpton as Al, Jesse Jackson as Jesse, Hilary Clinton as Hilary (in spite of her web site). To me, it shows lack of respect, which is perpetuated by the media. You don't agree. whatever. move on.

[The Count]

35. I was also wishing for mainstream people to speak up - senators, mayors &such

There is a deafening silence - and I can only blame Sharpton for a tiny bit of it.

[lakercub]

9. I've heard a lot of people mention free speech

not in this thread, but overall in conjunction with this story. This isn't a free speech issue...this is a decency and racism issue. He should be fired. Now. His remarks, and the remarks of that loathsome little toady, were horrible. He should be fired immediately. That is not a violation of free speech. I'm not saying he should be arrested for what he said. Just fired. We all have the right to free speech (allegedly), but we also have the right to face the consequences when we say something profoundly moronic.

If we threw him in jail for this, that would be a violation of his right to free speech. But if the right to free speech includes keeping a job when racist, sexist, or otherwise hateful nonsense is spewed, then the workplace will become unbearable. People have to know that they can say what they want, but they may not get to keep their jobs if they say it.

[stillcool]

24. I've heard that bantered about as well...

from none other than paid propagandist Armstrong Williams..what a perfect choice to pontificate about 'free speech'. The fact that networks refused to air Move-On ads...not because they weren't truthful...but because the content was 'too controversial' so close to an election, juxtaposed with the exorbitant amount of money these asshats are paid to spew their hate speech is telling. I don't see 'free' anywhere. Julius Streicher would be so proud.

[olddad56]

12. It would be very sad if we knew what portion of his audience thought it was funny.

[KamaAina]

14. Send him to Cleveland

that's what the old WNBC did years ago, when he missed one too many airshifts while being all coked up. They sent him to the NBC-owned station in Cleveland and made him work his way back up.

Once he got back to NYC, he returned the favor by constantly referring to Cleveland as "The Mistake on the Lake" and "Dreary on the Erie". I mean, really, he did this every day. :eyes:

[sabbat hunter]

40. they fired him back then

for missing shows, being drunk and drugged up on the air.

[Divernan]

15. So he gets to take two weeks vacation, basically-wow, that will hurt (not).

Even if he's not paid, he gets to take a two week break - not like he's under house arrest, doing community service, etc.

[MethuenProgressive]

17. His crew should play a pickup game v Rutgers, and then try to do their homework.

I don't think Imus is a bigot, I think he's just stupid.

[geiger]

19. why is this news? no apology or suspension can undo the remarks

he was an asshole before the remarks and he still is.

apology--meaningless
suspension--more meaninglessness

[Stinky The Clown]

20. "MSNBC, CBS Radio suspend Imus show"

Source: MSNBC Website

NEW YORK - After a career of cranky insults, radio star Don Imus was fighting for his job Monday following one joke that by his own admission went “way too far.”

CBS Radio and MSNBC both said they were suspending Imus’ morning talk show for two weeks following his reference last week to members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.”

While CBS made its announcement without comment, MSNBC said Imus’ regret at making the inappropriate comment and his stated dedication to changing the show’s discourse made it believe this was the appropriate response.

~snip~

Both MSNBC and CBS Radio said they would go ahead and air the previously scheduled Imus radiothon in support of the Tomorrow's Children's Fund, the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and the Imus Ranch planned for Thursday and Friday.

~snip~

More at link

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17999196/

[ShortnFiery]

21. This isn't the first time he and his sidekick, Bernard, have made racist remarks ...

The entire show should be terminated. I'm sick of the clear racist, sexist and homophobic tones within this show.

If NBC has any integrity left they will END THE SHOW PERMANENTLY! :grr:

[stillcool]

22. what a bunch of horse-crap...

I've been trying to stay away from current events because of my rage level...I hate too much. Unfortunately I over-heard this tripe from my hubby's fascination with Hardball. The very worst of it, was Armstrong Williams comments regarding free speech...oh the irony from the paid propagandist.

[anotherdrew]

25. don imus is a pathetic old Viagra addict who should have been put out to pasture a long time ago

please let this end this sad asshole's pathetic career.

[goclark]

29. Here is a transcript of the Al-Imus radio bout

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/business/media/09imus_transcript.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

[UTUSN]

27. Worse than sL-IMUS are OUR Dems who appear on his circus: KERRY, DODD, Joementum n/t

[Maddy McCall]

30. What about Bernard?

I think Bernard inspires a lot of the nastiness on Imus. I'm NOT excusing Imus by any means, but I hope that Bernard gets fired over this.

I cannot stand him.

[Renew Deal]

31. That's dumb.

Imus doesn't care about a 2 week suspension. A dumb guy said a dumb thing. It's over.

[Acadia Blue]

32. I like MSNBC but this sexist racist has to go now and not come back.

ESPN got rid of pig limbaugh for saying something racist. No one should say such things on natinal TV or Radio. No one. Imus said something so ugly about the athelets who happened to be women. Just because rappers use such disgusting sexist and racist language is no reason some TV host should use it. Get out now Imus. You need to retire.

[krkaufman]

34. Can we harangue MSNBC into putting Sam Seder on in Imus' place? : ) n/t

[Eurobabe]

36. Good I guess my rant to mgmt at MSNBC helped?

I cannot stand this putz Imus. He needs to receive a permanent pink slip. He offends me just by being on the air in the mornings.