Breaking: CBS cancels Imus’s radio show
posted at 4:53 pm on April 12, 2007 by Allahpundit
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If there really was a backlash, it didn’t come in time. He’s done. Standby for updates.
Update: The reasoning:
“There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society,” CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in announcing the decision. “That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision.”
That’s a lie, of course. If that consideration had weighed most heavily, they would have fired him straightaway instead of suspending him for two weeks. They fired him for fear of the escalating financial consequences, not because they care one way or another about “language like this.” If you believe Moonves, you also believe the Times embargoed the Mohammed cartoons but not the elephant-dung Virgin Mary because they rilly, rilly care about religious sensitivity.
Update: Here’s CBS’s own report on it. He’s gone as of right now, today, even though he’s in the middle of a two-day charity radiothon. They’ve even got him talking in ludicrous Terry-Moran-esque exaggerations:
“There’s a difference between premeditated murder and the gun going off,” but the end result is the same, he said: “Somebody’s still dead.”
Well, if nothing else, this should make the boss’s guest stint on O’Reilly tonight an interesting one.
Update: I can’t wait for the inevitable polls about this. I bet you’ll see support among blacks and whites for the suspension and then a rather striking split when it comes to termination.
Update: Moonves met with two racial demagogues this morning to help him make up his mind. Looks like it “clarified” things.
Update: It bears repeating that Imus has a long history of remarks like this, a point which the think tank on “The View” treats as a mitigating factor. If he’s been saying it all along, the logic goes, why fault him for it now? Answer: Because people are complaining now, which brings us back to the first update and Les Moonves’s deep, abiding respect for the feelings of black women.
Update: They’re “changing the culture”:
One thing is for certain: This is about a lot more than Imus. As has been widely pointed out, Imus has been visited by Presidents, Senators, important authors and journalists from across the political spectrum. He has flourished in a culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people. In taking him off the air, I believe we take an important and necessary step not just in solving a unique problem, but in changing that culture, which extends far beyond the walls of our Company.
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The First Amendment is not dead but with things like McCain Fiengold and the fairness doctrine it is in danger. This incident will be a tool used by the left to silence disent as “hate speech” which is how they charecterize most talk radio and even blogs like this. If you don’t believe that there is a threat you need to wake up.
conservativecaveman on April 12, 2007 at 6:40 PM
It would seem that if the MSM didn’t make such a big deal out of this, he’s comment would have sank under the radar. I’ve never liked Imus and think his humor is tired and stale.
Racist humor is tired and stale and those who are offended by racist statements are tired and stale. The girls on Rutgers who felt that Imus took away thier joy need to reflect more on why they would allow an insignificant comment to take away their joy. They need to reflect on why their resolves are so weak that they cannot defend themselves from a minor set of words.
But that is all beside the point. I always wondered how such a boring show stayed on the air in the first place.
The responsibility of practicing freedom of speech also lies in the listener. And the (over)reaction, in my opinion, is irresponsible.
geckomon on April 12, 2007 at 6:41 PM
Sharpton and Jackson don’t have anything. They can only push so far before they get slapped down for the Hymietown deal and Tawana Brawley among other things, they only have as much authority as the media gives them, meaning this is probably it for now, because they’ll never be able to take out Rush or whoever without getting called for being a political hitsquad.
The Fairness Doctrine is different, and we have to fight to keep it from happening. They’ve tried to silence us for twenty years, and failed. Internet makes it impossible, anyway, but the FD will hurt..
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 6:42 PM
Bad Candy,
I agree that Jackson and Sharpton have what power the media gives but you seem to dismiss this as fleeting and minor. I don’t believe it is either. As to trying to take out Rush and being painted as a political hitsquad? Well the DA in South Florida is still there.
conservativecaveman on April 12, 2007 at 6:48 PM
Of Course so is Rush!
conservativecaveman on April 12, 2007 at 6:49 PM
The MSM can play a role in healing. Instead of the media sticking a microphone in Sharpton’s and Jackson’s faces, they ought to stick them up their asses.
drjohn on April 12, 2007 at 7:11 PM
It is not I like Imus, or even care much about him, but this is just the start of the pc police. Very smart of them to go after one of their own to make themselves legit, now anyone is fair game for anything they say. Just one more hit on free speech, and double that on any rational speech.
MalkinFan on April 12, 2007 at 7:13 PM
I love all this lashing out at Sharpton and Jackson like they actually have any power whatsoever. They control nothing. The power they have is the power to use the Press to magnify their words.
If you held a rally that went uncovered does it matter?
If you call for someone to be fired and nobody hears you does it matter?
The power is with the MSM. This is their lynching. Sharpton and Jackson are just the MCs.
TheBigOldDog on April 12, 2007 at 7:14 PM
I think there is an opportunity to clear the air as far as the dual standard that exists in the use of language. I’d like to think we can keep up the pressure on the media to keep asking questions of NotsoSharpton and Hijackson. Let’s make them explain their pasts and insist we do not accept their apologies. Let’s keep the pressure on to either allow everyone to use certain words or for no one to use them. It is pathetic that news sources are afraid even to repeat or print what was said by such luminary thinkers as Snoop Dog.
drjohn on April 12, 2007 at 7:25 PM
Will Imus be cast off to Gitmo?
faraway on April 12, 2007 at 7:25 PM
Well, Nearly everyone here has a good point on this. I find it hard to care personally. I don’t see this as a genuine Free Speech issue; CBS & MSNBC certainly have a right to fire anyone who works for them for ANY reason, as far as I’m concerned.
Never listened to a full Imus show. Just about every clip I have seen / heard or read has led me to believe he is a jerk, even on things where he was basicly correct. So, I see no need for anyone offering him a platform unless they make good money on it.
At the same time, I don’t like to see the other guys who make a living off of race baiting win either.
If Sirius wants to offer him a show for big bucks, that’s fine….. (Unless due to their merger with XM it ends up bumping something XM that I do like.)
LegendHasIt on April 12, 2007 at 7:34 PM
Yet another story where there are really no good guys, isn’t it …
thirteen28 on April 12, 2007 at 7:43 PM
And now that we know that a radio personality can be fired for saying ‘nappyhead’, how long will it be before one gets fired for saying ‘islamofascist’ or ‘islam is not a religion of peace’?
Kevin M on April 12, 2007 at 7:48 PM
MM is kicking booty on O’Reilly right now.
She’s awesome!!
Yay!!
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on April 12, 2007 at 8:16 PM
Shabazz the @ss-wipe just called MM a “political whore.”
O.M.G!!!
PoliticallyIncorrectSandy on April 12, 2007 at 8:25 PM
B.F’ing.S.
So, Isaiah Washington? Paris Hilton? Rosie? They’re all gone now right? They are going for consistency and fairness, right? Oh, wait, nevermind.
SouthernDem on April 12, 2007 at 8:54 PM
I am not an Imus fan. I don’t listen to him, nor do I follow his antics. BUT, he has been extraordinary successful and is only off the air because the CORPORATE suits knuckled under these 2 extortionists, Sharpton and Jackson.
But, let’s face it, Imus is rich. He is rich enough to purchase a small NYC radio station, operate it for years without advertisers. I have no doubt that any station he buys will have, overnight, the highest ratinged show in town - his.
Since CBS has cancelled his syndication, he can cut his own deal for syndication as he turns hist new station into a NYC powerhouse. In time, advertisers would return, I believe.
And Imus could laugh at Sharpton and Jackson every day while blasting their hypocrisy.
Think of all the fun Imus could have by broadcasting every day, reminding America of Tawana Brawley and how Sharpton incited at least two riots and two deaths as a result.
I would say that Sharpton’s aspirations to be a national spokesman would be defeated.
Further, as long qas he didn’t use any of the forbidden 7 words and met the minimum licensee requirements, there would be NOTHING that Sharpton and Jackson could do about it.
Except whine.
georgej on April 12, 2007 at 9:43 PM
I don’t care at all for Imus..I actually think he’s scum. I think what he said does not belong on the airwaves, we should have some decency because we are a civilized nation imo…however, for the likes of sharpton and jj to call for his resignation and crank up the pressure(I don’t put it past them to do their own blackmail to those companies that backed Imus..that is how jj operates anyway) makes me sick to see THEM succeed.
I challenge jj and sharpton to follow through with the filth in rap music. It’s NOT ok to go after the white guy for saying it and allow the blacks to proliferate it as well. I somehow won’t hold my breath that they will do the right thing.
Highrise on April 12, 2007 at 11:17 PM
This is a win-win for everyone actually. The advertisers who pulled their advertising get free advertising. CBS get’s to look good, Sharpton and Jackson get to appear relevant (while keeping their racism industry alive and kicking(by the way, his remarks were not racist, but I won’t argue semantics)). Imus is now a household name - I mean, honestly, who watched or listened to this jerk before this happened? Anna Nicole coverage has faded.
For me personally, everyone ivolved looks like a complete fool - did anyone notice the Rutgers presser, where they all had their hair straigthened and worn loose? The unintentional comedy is unreal. Now I know why there just aren’t many good comedy movies anymore - real life is way too funny. Nappy-headed hoes - hahaha - and the people who were offended are the same ones who watch videos with women lead around on leashes or shaking their asses in the air. The same people who cheered at one of the award shows when a real-life pimp was brought on stage.
What a country.
reaganaut on April 12, 2007 at 11:20 PM
We are now equal to N.Korea, China, Iran, Iraq,
When satire is banned, We are no different than a third
world country.
Imus got screwed by the same people that pumped him up
for years. But what would I expect from liberals.
Texyank on April 12, 2007 at 11:35 PM
Well said, IMHO. I think he’ll end up on Satellite Radio as well. I’m thinking XM, as he likes Opie and Anthony, and Stern despises him. I’m a Sirius subscriber and shareholder, but I don’t want to see the merger go through, as I think the consumer will get screwed. But that’s another thread…
asc85 on April 12, 2007 at 11:36 PM
So, I think it’s like this. This was the full force of the generation raised to actually believe that the worst thing you can be is a racist, a sexist, or a homophobe (cutting off heads — no problem) getting to show their stuff. Lot’s of these brainwashees now work for NBC/CBS. Imus hit 2 out of three(racist/sexist) — see ya — sad — in so many ways.
CanaryinaCoalMine on April 13, 2007 at 12:03 AM
I was just speculating whether this incident would lead to a new word being added to the political lexicon–being “Imused,” like being “Borked.” Because this is different from a Borking, because it’s all about race. Then I realized there’s a perfectly good word already out there–to “Mau-Mau.” This from Wikipedia:
smellthecoffee on April 13, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Imus is starting a new talk show at his ranch Anus in the morning. Oh yeah his side kick sideshow Bob hung himself at 4:54 PM .
sonnyspats1 on April 13, 2007 at 1:04 AM
“I want to thank all those who came to see us to express their views. We are now presented with a significant opportunity to expand on our record on issues of diversity, race and gender. We intend to seize that opportunity as we move forward together.”
Les Moonves
WTF does this mean?
CanaryinaCoalMine on April 13, 2007 at 1:09 AM
I have read none of the comments thus far. But I have something to say about this straight away. This sets a dangerous road. When the word police become the thought police, well, we are long past any freedom of speech.
Say good by to talk radio. Now that an already washed up liberal talk host can be taken down for 3 words out of a 20 +year career, you know the sharks are in the water to attack American talk show hosts.
You know who I mean. Those that have the guts to stand up for what is right and the audacity to quote the leftists own words. And then parody them.
Say good bye
The sharks are in the water, and they smell blood.
I hope to God I am wrong.
MalkinFan on April 13, 2007 at 2:02 AM
bopbottle on April 13, 2007 at 2:15 AM
Beautiful People left I-man bleeding by side of the road
But the most interesting thing about Imus’ sudden demise is how few of the assorted coatholders, front-runners, bumkissers and drive-by pundits who called in every morning could be bothered to stand up for the I-man in his moment of need.
These liberals may be good company at a cocktail party in Vail, but you wouldn’t want to share a foxhole with them. When the I-man’s phone didn’t ring, he knew it was Joe Lieberman. Or maybe Frank Rich.
TheBigOldDog on April 13, 2007 at 2:44 AM
Just a tad more from the above
Until his idiotic flameout, Don Imus was the nearest thing the liberals ever had to a success story in talk radio. He worshipped John Kerry. He fawned over Maureen Dowd. He cursed the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. After Saddam was executed, Imus joked with a local plagiarist about how Dick Cheney would handle himself on the gallows.
Who knew Imus would walk the Green Mile before Karl Rove?
The I-man thought he was one of the Beautiful People, but in the end it turned out like one of those Bob Dylan songs he used to play going into the breaks. Everybody said they’d stand behind him when the game got rough. But the joke was on him, there was nobody even there to bluff.
TheBigOldDog on April 13, 2007 at 2:47 AM
Free speech for Don Imus became restricted when he went on the air each day and by the fact that he was an employee of a company / corporation.
It’s very simple in this case. The free market fired Don Imus. He made outrageous comments, then listeners & other prominent people gave feedback to CBS radio, MSNBC and the Imus show sponsors and he was fired. Job well done!
The most outrageous thing about this whole Imus story is that he wasn’t fired immediately.
olympian2008 on April 13, 2007 at 3:46 AM
No No No.
His speech was NEVER limited.
The repercussions deriving from an unrestricted application of that freedom never went away and may have increased.
drjohn on April 13, 2007 at 7:39 AM
Liberals did to Imus what they always do - cut and run.
faraway on April 13, 2007 at 9:02 AM
I am very upset about this as I was a big Imus fan. What he said was horrible, but talk about overreacting! As for the Reverends Sharpton and Jackson, I can remember when black leaders were the likes of King and Malcolm–brave and visionary men, not these publicity whores (if you’ll pardon the expression).
As expressed elsewhere on this thread, this is bad news for the likes of Limbaugh and Boortz (sp?) and Savage. The old maxim that the MSM gives liberals a pass is no longer in play. Look out.
honora on April 13, 2007 at 9:43 AM
CBS threw Imus under the bus to save the Viacom rap business and MTV.
Imus brought in around 20 million ans MTV Viacom brings in over a billion.
ScottyDog on April 13, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Nah, Rush is safe. I think Al Sharpton’s radio station ought to be the next target.
Kokonut on April 13, 2007 at 12:28 PM
The MSM has NEVER given Limbaugh a pass, and yet he’s still survived this long. It’s crap like the Fairness Doctrine which Rush has to worry about, not MSM or liberals (pardon the redundancy).
thirteen28 on April 13, 2007 at 12:58 PM
I support Limbaugh’s right to speak his mind. Believe he’s a net gain for my side, but that’s another story. Besides, if there’s no Limbaugh, Cheney would be reduced to walking around wearing a sandwich board.
honora on April 13, 2007 at 1:02 PM
I would not be surprised if Imus got picked up by Sirius or XM. Maybe someone should suggest he become a color commentator for the NCAA.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on April 13, 2007 at 2:55 PM
Good night, and good luck
Rode Werk on April 13, 2007 at 8:24 PM
Whaddya know, I have to give props to honora, because her take on this is a bullseye.
There is a victim in this event. It isn’t the Rutgers lady cagers, they’re smarter and tougher than to think Imus’ foolishness was really significant, and they accepted his (I believe) sincere apology for being out of line. It isn’t Imus, he’s a big boy, sometimes you pay to play in his league.
The victim is truth. Les Moonves lied through his teeth when he “explained” why Imus was fired. It was racial-political pressure, not any sudden epiphany of morals. Al Sharpton lies every time his lips part. Why does noone demand an apology from Al for manufacturing a riot over a fabricated crime? How does he have ANY credibility with ANYONE? And only minimally les repulsive, Jesse Jackson. I can still remember him preaching at young folks to stand up for themselves, take responsibility, avoid the temptations that destroy, and make something of themselves. Then he learned that crying out for “the victims”, and extorting corporations pays well.
Imus’ misguided comment would have been extremely accurate in describing either of them, not the hard working basketball team from Rutgers.
Freelancer on April 15, 2007 at 12:43 AM
60 Minutes last night did a segment on Imus, pretty interesting, as was their segment on the Duke kids.
Well as usual, it’s all about me. What am I to watch in the morning now? Today Show is too pablum-ish–who comes up with their segment ideas?; Fox and Friends is too creepy–Mr and Mrs Happy?; and CNN is just plain boring.
Bitch, bitch, bitch.
Freelancer: excellent point about the victimization mantra, talk about a vicious circle.
honora on April 16, 2007 at 12:03 PM
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