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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Yawn.
Jose Chupacabra on April 12, 2007 at 4:55 PM
…na na naaa na…na na naaa na…HEY HEY HEY…GOODBYYYYE…
fusionaddict on April 12, 2007 at 4:56 PM
Ouch
Defector01 on April 12, 2007 at 4:59 PM
Hm. Lemme check.
Nope. Care meter still at zero.
Citizen Duck on April 12, 2007 at 4:59 PM
I’m not an Imus fan but this is a real disgrace. The thought police goose stepped their way right into all of our TVs and radios. I have a feeling that they are not going to stop here either.
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 5:00 PM
I never listened to IMUS so I will not be affected, but I don’t think I want to listen to “Al Sharpton/Jesse Jackson approved” radio or television. Last time I checked, both Jesse and Al have taken positions in the past that were ultimately wrong and said some offensive things themselves and nobody called for them to be fired. Oh yea, I forgot, they don’t have jobs.
lawman2 on April 12, 2007 at 5:00 PM
Who’s this Imus fella you all keep blogging about?
lorien1973 on April 12, 2007 at 5:01 PM
This sets a horrible precedent.
Patriot33 on April 12, 2007 at 5:03 PM
a’ight
mainmann on April 12, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Well, they do have radio shows… radio shows that might conveniently slip into Imus’ former syndication slot with ready-made advertisers.
ScottMcC on April 12, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Moonves keeps Katie loses Imus.
CanaryinaCoalMine on April 12, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Ditto every word.
Time to go after Sharpton’s radio show.
thirteen28 on April 12, 2007 at 5:04 PM
lawman2 on April 12, 2007 at 5:00 PM
Agreed. I hope someone picks up Imus. I’d buy somehting advertised on his program just for support. This is just ridiculous.
Theworldisnotenough on April 12, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Good.
Next up… Rosie. Ching Chong.
Marty on April 12, 2007 at 5:05 PM
I am an fan although I never liked his politics. I won’t really go to bat for him although his bounce back from a horrible drug addiction was remarkable, and a good story. And he’s done a lot for a lot of people.
Anyway, goes to show you, it’s never enough. Apologize, and they get you fired. So he should have told Al to shove it, like Howard Stern said.
BillLalor on April 12, 2007 at 5:07 PM
I dont like Imus, but he has been lynched by the Two Revs mob.
The Two Revs mob lynched 3 Duke college kids last year.
Who will they lynch next?
faraway on April 12, 2007 at 5:07 PM
C-bs, like the chickensh!ts they were during Rathergate, have proved once again they are still chickensh!ts. How much money did Imus make for them? Millions? And this is the loyalty they give to him? F*cking puss***.
Now I wnna know you owns the station Sharpton vomits his bs from. Cuz I wanna know who has the brazen temerity to hire that Jew-hating f**k.
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 5:08 PM
All of you who are bored with this now out of disinterest you just wait. Now the thought fascists have exactly what they want. I think you will get interested once they go after Rush and everyone else who has content deemed “hateful” by the nazis to the left side of the political spectrum. They are going after talk radio folks. You just wait and see. If you don’t believe me just listen to Sharpton himself. His statement is up on Drudge right now:
“SHARPTON VOWS MORE: ‘It is our feeling that this is only the beginning. We must have a broad discussion on what is permitted and not permitted in terms of the airwaves’…”
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 5:10 PM
Before anyone else says anything about the “thought police” or “freedom of speech”, let’s remember that CBS is a privately-owned company and as such, can do whatever it damn well pleases regarding personnel matters. I only wish our President and A-G were given such respect. I fully support and endorse the decision and, if you believe in capitalism and liberty, you should too.
fusionaddict on April 12, 2007 at 5:12 PM
I think Moonves canned Imus because Julie Chen (Moonves wife) was holding out until Moonves dropped the axe. Although, if I were Moonves, I’d consider that a gift.
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 5:14 PM
Sirius Radio, here he comes! With a fat pay increase!
Anil Petra on April 12, 2007 at 5:14 PM
This will not end here. It’s a sad day for free speech.
Chad on April 12, 2007 at 5:15 PM
Yeah, Imus was just an easy mark, because nobody cares about his show. Hannity, Limbaugh, Boortz, and the rest of the conservative radio commentariat are the next targets, and the guns will be a lot bigger than the likes of Sharpton. It won’t be nearly as easy, but that won’t keep them from trying.
Blacklake on April 12, 2007 at 5:17 PM
So what? Yeah they have that freedom. But I also have the freedom to tell them that their decision was bullsh!t. They caved to political correctness. The poverty pimp, race hustling duo of Jackson and Sharpton did their shakedown (read the book) and C-bs fell for it. How pathetic. But totally expected, since corporations only care about the bottom line. And I repeat, I am no fan of Imus.
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 5:18 PM
But CBS didn’t make this decision because his ratings went down and the marketplace decided he wasn’t profitable. They made this decision because Sharpton, Jackson, and the left-wing media put political pressure on them and their sponsors.
Once again, Imus will not be the last one to be bitten by this.
Chad on April 12, 2007 at 5:19 PM
Anybody wanna bet that a black talk show host will replace Imus’s slot on radio (or MSNBC)????
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 5:21 PM
This is really frightening and the talking heads on TV are missing the larger point. There are people actually suggesting that certain words be banned. My God, we can’t even print crtain words anymore, we have to write n-word, f-word. This is ridiculous! There are no words so offensive they can’t be written. It isn’t the word that should be offensive, but the context.
We are starting to criminalize speech. We are doomed.
bopbottle on April 12, 2007 at 5:24 PM
Snoop Dog to take Imus’ time slot on MSNBC. Show titled, “Pot and Prose:A Polical Roundtable”
sunny on April 12, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Moonves is a tool, he used to be Howard Stern’s boss. He only cares about profits, and public perception; give me a friggin’ break. Stern said things as controversial almost daily; difference is he has a rapport with the black community, and he has tongue firmly in cheek at all times.
RW Wacko on April 12, 2007 at 5:26 PM
Once Obama declared him to be fired, he was fired, for such is the Word of the Lord Thy Savior (of the Democrats).
wordwarp on April 12, 2007 at 5:26 PM
Who?
crosspatch on April 12, 2007 at 5:26 PM
I’m with you on that point fusionaddict but I’d like you to think about the power unelected people like Sharpton and Jackson have at putting these corporations into positions where they HAVE TO fire people in order to stop the public relations bleeding. If the free market was a restaurant these fascists essentially just ran into it and yelled “RAT!!” That is not capitalism at work. That is extortion. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are not heelers. They are ignighters. They are racial arsonists. No corporation can stand up to them.
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 5:26 PM
Al Sharpton has a radio show? really? had no idea…
As for the squelching of free speech, CBS has gone and done it again. Who’s next? Glenn Beck? Rush? Drudge? I’ll ask the question again – maybe someone can help me out here – since when is offensive speech illegal? Yes, I know that CBS has the right to fire his ass, fine. Fire him. That’s free market and capitalism. But they fired him for the wrong reason – they fired him because he hurt someone’s feelings. that’s bullsh*t.
I guess we don’t really have free speech unless it’s politically correct free speech.
pullingmyhairout on April 12, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Didn’t know you were such an Imus fan. Take a look at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18062462/site/newsweek/
This is not the first time he has pulled stunts.
And Julie Chen holding out to get him fired.. talk about conspiracy theories…
Bradky on April 12, 2007 at 5:27 PM
love it. you are spot on accurate.
pullingmyhairout on April 12, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Perfectly said.
Chad on April 12, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Sorry, but ask Hillary (Selma) and Imus (Rev Al) how they liked riding the tiger.
faraway on April 12, 2007 at 5:29 PM
There’s a move to do the same thing to Rosie and ABC on this side of the fence. Rosie can say anything that she likes, but I will not support companies that subsidize here 9/11 rants. Sharpton is welcome to do the same for the issues in which he strongly believes. If CBS feels that they cannot sell sufficient advertising, then they are free to terminate Imus. Imus can exercise his right of free speech through other venues.
rw on April 12, 2007 at 5:30 PM
It looks more like we’re criminalizing racism, and Imus has proved through the years that he is a racist, and shouldn’t have a daily national platform to spread his idiocy. This was a long time coming, and I’m glad that CBS dropped the hammer on him. A suspension wouldn’t have been enough, IMO.
Savage on April 12, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Pwn3d!
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Now the perpetrating hypocrites “care”:
The Imus Fallout: Who Can Say What?
TheBigOldDog on April 12, 2007 at 5:31 PM
Dan Rather got to stay far longer on TV than Imus on the radio and his offense was far, far worse. Rather used forged documents in a NEWS Broadcast and Imus loses his job for ad lib humor in the entertainment wing!
Imus could have called Bush anything and been safe, but do not make a joke about the sacred members of the liberal establishment or its curtains.
What he said was over the top, but let’s be real. Nappy-Headed-Hos equates to end of career? Wow, he got screwed and he didn’t even get caught with the Hos?
Oxybeles on April 12, 2007 at 5:32 PM
Come on people, the only reason Sharpton and Jackson have ANY power is the Liberal Media gives it to them.
TheBigOldDog on April 12, 2007 at 5:33 PM
Just another example of the way freedoms are being rolled back in Dick Cheney’s America!
Enrique on April 12, 2007 at 5:34 PM
So we can expect CBS to drop every lewd song about ho’s and such from every radio station that it owns…
Theworldisnotenough on April 12, 2007 at 5:36 PM
Its all Al Gore’s fault. If only he hadn’t invented the Internet, all the bloggers wouldn’t be today’s lynch mob.
faraway on April 12, 2007 at 5:37 PM
Moonbat and the PC groops have gone too far.
Free speech is under attack and the libs are giving in.
Kini on April 12, 2007 at 5:37 PM
You are out of line, Enrique. The CBS liberal machine caved to the pressure of Sharpton and Jackson! This has nothing to do with Cheney.
pullingmyhairout on April 12, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Nope. won’t happen. Gangsta rappers have absolute moral authority and get a pass just because they are black.
pullingmyhairout on April 12, 2007 at 5:39 PM
BopBottle,
So, what is the “n-word” anyway? Spell it out, please.
Kokonut on April 12, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Lesson 1: White on Asian epitaph: ok, Black on Black epitaph: ok, Black on Jew epitaph: ok, Black on White epitaph: ok, White on Black epitaph: will get you tarred and feathered.
Lesson 2: An apology is no longer enough for the likes of Sharpten when Offense 1 has been committed
Lesson 3: there will be alot of damage coming, until someone says enough.
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on April 12, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Word rehab. My, my, my, how things change so quickly….
TheBigOldDog on April 12, 2007 at 5:41 PM
Uh, so? He offended my particular ethnic group too. Do I care? No. That’s his brand of humor. Just like Don Rickles had his brand of humor. But to be fired for saying “nappy-headed hos”?!?!?!?!? Really, grow thicker skin and stop yer whining.
Julie Chen is behind almost everything Moonves does. That’s not a conspiracy theory, its fact. Ask her. Ask him.
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 5:42 PM
What is all this caterwauling about Imus about? Why defend this racist left-wing moron? This is that guy who joked about Cheney and Rumsfeld being hung with the Barnicle.
No, they’re doing what every leftist movement does at its core, ROT.
Just let them devour themselves, it’ll be fine…
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 5:42 PM
I, for one, look forward to the world of perfect harmony and justice that will blossom just as soon as my Handbook of Acceptable Speech arrives.
a4g on April 12, 2007 at 5:42 PM
You are exactly right here, although, in our defense Rosie’s words were flirting with treason. I believe a debate in these matters is more justified when we are talking about a person openly siding with our enemies and spouting conspiracy theories while we are at war. I know presidents in the past have limited the power of the press while at war and I think that debate is legitimate. Perhaps we would have won this war and had our soldiers home already if not for the behavior people in the press spouting lies and slanderous accusations towards their own country. I think thats a little different then “nappy headed hos”
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 5:42 PM
Democrats are cracking up. What a show!
1. Pelosi cavorting with terrorists. POW!
2. Dems eating each other over Imus. ZAP!
3. MoveOn eating normal Dems. Zowie!
I cant wait to see the next show on the same bat channel.
faraway on April 12, 2007 at 5:43 PM
Uhhh…he’s joking, you do realize that, right? Damn, what are you numbskulls bugging out about here, this is a red on red hitjob here. Let the leftists devour their own.
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Anybody up for a campaign to send a box of Hostess’ Ho Hos to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? And perhaps to CBS and PMSNBC?
Kokonut on April 12, 2007 at 5:45 PM
I believe that Enrique meant to be sarcastic. I could be wrong though and if I am I hope Enrique corrects me.
Zetterson on April 12, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Kini stated,
The libs are leading the charge. This is outrageous! The MSM did not stand up to the Left for more than four days. Is the Fourth Estate like France?
Darn, I want to be the one who decides what is appropriate or the one who gets to watch the watchers!
Oxybeles on April 12, 2007 at 5:47 PM
my bad. apologies to you, Enrique. I was just “caught up in the moment.”
pullingmyhairout on April 12, 2007 at 5:48 PM
Why was he scraping and bowing to Sharpton and Jackson anyway? Apologies were due ONLY to the Rutgers players, who deserved none of this.
CrimsonFisted on April 12, 2007 at 5:49 PM
Because conservatives defend principles not people.
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 5:50 PM
Seriously, though, I think mob rule is now in vogue and is quite dangerous. Radio, Blogs and Cable News can quickly combine to create the perfect storm.
Mob tornados drop from the sky quickly and devour everything in their path.
faraway on April 12, 2007 at 5:50 PM
No love lost for Imus whatsoever from me, but I am concerned about the opportunistic, relativistic hypocrisy from Reverend Al. He should be next, and Imus, again, no love lost for him, has made some good final points.
There is a bigger problem here. The moment you or I say anything against Sharpton the way we are currently saying these things about Imus, Sharpton labels us racists. Really… who’s the racist in this scene, us or Sharpton?
flutejpl on April 12, 2007 at 5:51 PM
goodbye yellow prick toad
VTWaldrup on April 12, 2007 at 5:55 PM
Hypocrisy Alert
One of the major sponsors that pulled out of supporting the Imus show, Sprint – check out how they’re ‘pimping’ their phones…
MIMS
wowbagger on April 12, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Not only that, if he would have said the exact same thing about a black female Republican, there would be no outrage whatsoever. Even the racial grievance mongers will let it slide for certain targets.
Yep.
thirteen28 on April 12, 2007 at 5:58 PM
Would you expect anything less of your spouse? But your assertion about her holding out to get Imus fired has no basis in fact.
Bradky on April 12, 2007 at 5:59 PM
shoulda’ gone to rehab
frreal on April 12, 2007 at 6:04 PM
He suggested Cheney be hung, he shoulda been fired for cheerleading for assassination, but I’ll take this as a win too. Free speech isn’t the issue, he didn’t lose it, and can say what he wants. He lost his platform, which isn’t protected.
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 6:04 PM
I agree. That really cramps my style when I’m writing to David Duke.
John from WuzzaDem on April 12, 2007 at 6:05 PM
“MSNBC FIRES IMUS”
“CBS CANCELS IMUS”
The networks, like little ducks in a row in a shooting gallery, are falling down one-by-one hoping to avoid a confrontation with Jackson and Sharpton,
The cowardice they are displaying is phenomenal, as they bend over and grab their ankles while pleading, “don’t hurt us, massa Jackson,” don’t hurt us massa Sharpton.”
pocomoco on April 12, 2007 at 6:05 PM
Sorry, that should have been “f’ing” David Duke.
John from WuzzaDem on April 12, 2007 at 6:05 PM
My personal feelings for Imus have nothing to do with what is happening here. This should disturb everyone who truly values free speech for everyone. Why is it okay for Sharpton to call Jews “diamond merchants” and Jackson to use the term “Hymietown”. I do not for ONE MINUTE believe that Imus meant a racial slur by what he said. However, for those who are perpetually offended, he played right into their hands. This disgusts me.
Glynn on April 12, 2007 at 6:06 PM
Why are you carrying water for Moonves?
Andy in Agoura Hills on April 12, 2007 at 6:08 PM
This is a disgrace for radio in general.. Don’t look now but Rush, Hannity, Beck, Ingraham, are all in their sights. They want to enforce their own world view and damn anyone that has the audacity to think or speak differently.
It won’t stop with him, this is just the begining of a drastic turn in our society. We will be telling our children about how much we missed the America we grew up in because it was free country back then.
If this happened to any of the people that are defending him like Rosie, Beck, Hannity or Rush, he would be making it the butt of his jokes for months.
madmonaco on April 12, 2007 at 6:10 PM
If Imus would have sent in cartoons of Condoleeza Rice as a house-maid he would have gotten accolades from Al Not-So-Sharpton.
gary on April 12, 2007 at 6:10 PM
Kokonut,
I would spell it out, but I am afraid it would get me banned. That is my point exactly. A black Congresswoman can say it on the floor of the Georgia house and not one word from her fellow house members, but if I even spell it, trying to make a point, I would be in trouble.
bopbottle on April 12, 2007 at 6:11 PM
Why can’t you deal in facts rather than baseless assumptions?
Bradky on April 12, 2007 at 6:11 PM
My thoughts, exactly.
The Ugly American on April 12, 2007 at 6:12 PM
So when are they going to pull the plug on Rosie ?
William Amos on April 12, 2007 at 6:12 PM
PM
Giving in? They’re leading the attack!
conservativecaveman on April 12, 2007 at 6:14 PM
Now we ought to be on watch for Jesse Hijackson to shake down CBS and PMSNBC as retribution.
drjohn on April 12, 2007 at 6:18 PM
So also are we going to see rap artists who call black woman “Hoes” also be banned ?
William Amos on April 12, 2007 at 6:21 PM
Its not, they should be booted too.
We’ll fight for Rush, Hannity, Beck and Ingraham, because they arent racists like Imus is, and the reason they’ll be attacked is because of their political views, not because of obnoxious idiocy like Imus.
And quit being so melodramatic. What is with you people? Look, we’ll fight for who deserves it and damn the rest, I’m tired of trying to save liberals from their own ignorant selves. Let him buy a website and say whatever he wants there, he broke him own teams rules, and he got thrown out of the game by his allies.
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 6:23 PM
THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS DEAD
roninacreage on April 12, 2007 at 6:25 PM
It is not, you people are being ridiculous.
Bad Candy on April 12, 2007 at 6:26 PM
BopBottle,
Afraid to get banned if you spelled out the n-word here on HotAir?
Allah Pundit…. zat true?
Kokonut on April 12, 2007 at 6:29 PM
Do you understand the difference between freedom of speech and accountability ofr one’s actions?
Freedom of speech is not dead. That doesn’t mean you’re free of responsibility for what you say.
This is a fundamental that Rosie O’Donnell cannot begin to grasp.
drjohn on April 12, 2007 at 6:29 PM
LOL agree absolutely. This thread seems like going into a time warp and coming out in my junior high lunch room. “Mr. Smith caught Janie passing Bob a note and he is going to get expelled” “That’s not right, we need to have a sit in or protest to make him change his mind!”
Bradky on April 12, 2007 at 6:30 PM
Read Sharptons remarks about this being just the beginning and how we need to address what can and cannot be said on the airwaves and then tell me this isn’t about free speech.
Imus may have deserved his firing. That’s a decision for his employers to make and even if it was for the wrong reasons (politcal extortion by the likes of Jackson and Sharpton) it is their decision to make. But the blood is in the water and the sharks are circling.
As with the “Fairness doctrine” the liberals are always looking for ways to silence their critics.
How long before someone digs up a clip of Hannity, Boortz, or Limbaugh and tries to paint them as racist so that they can insist that they are taken off of the air? Imus was basically a lib. He supported Kerry in the last election. But I doubt you’ll see much scrutiny of any other liberal personality.
conservativecaveman on April 12, 2007 at 6:32 PM
Okay, if we’re going to play the game this way, here’s what many of us need to do. From this day forward, ANY program that gives airtime to Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson is a target. I will boycott the products of ANY advertiser that chooses to support a program that puts two race baiters like Sharpton and Jackson on. It’s that simple. Let’s let Al and Jesse see that pressure works both ways.
Pass it on… ANY ADVERTISER ON ANY PROGRAM THAT GIVES AL SHARPTON OR JESSE JACKSON A FORUM WILL BE BOYCOTTED BY THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE THEY ARE SELF-SERVING, RACE-BAITING, MONEY-GRUBBING SCAM ARTISTS.
Sugar Land on April 12, 2007 at 6:33 PM
Right on! The next thing you know the thought police are going to cart everyone off to Gitmo.
John from WuzzaDem on April 12, 2007 at 6:35 PM
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