CBS, MSNBC Suspend Don Imus For 2 Weeks

Move Follows Radio Host's Racially Charged Comments; Al Sharpton, Others Call For His Ouster

(CBS/AP)  CBS Radio and MSNBC both said Monday they were suspending Don Imus' morning talk show for two weeks as a protest grew about his reference last week to members of the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."

The suspension begins next Monday.

MSNBC, which telecasts the radio show, said Imus' expressions of regret and embarrassment, coupled with his stated dedication to changing the show's discourse, made it believe suspension was the appropriate response.

"Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word," the network said.

CBS Radio released a statement promising to monitor the show's content in the future. "We are disappointed by Imus' actions last week, which we find completely inappropriate," the statement read. "We fully agree that a sincere apology was called for and will continue to monitor the program's content going forward."

Imus, who has made a career of cranky insults in the morning, was fighting for his job following the joke that by his own admission went "way too far." He continued to apologize Monday, both on his show and on a syndicated radio program hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is among several black leaders demanding his ouster.

Imus could be in real danger if the outcry causes advertisers to shy away from him, said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio. The National Organization for Women is also seeking Imus' ouster.

"Everyone is on tenterhooks waiting to see whether it grows and whether the protest gets picked up more broadly," Taylor said.

Imus may be in hot water with his network and his listeners, but he's got nothing to fear from the Federal Communications Commission, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.

The government agency that regulates the radio and television airwaves can levy big fines for sexual content it terms "indecent." But the FCC has no jurisdiction over comments that are considered racist or in plain bad taste. Racist remarks are policed by no one but the broadcasters themselves.

Imus isn't the most popular radio talk-show host — the trade publication Talkers ranks him the 14th most influential — but his audience is heavy on the political and media elite that advertisers pay a premium to reach. Authors, journalists and politicians are frequent guests, and targets for insults.

He has urged critics to recognize that his show is a comedy that spreads insults broadly. Imus or his cast have called Colin Powell a "sniffling weasel," New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson a "fat sissy" and referred to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, an American Indian, as "the guy from `F Troop."' He and his colleagues also called the New York Knicks a group of "chest-thumping pimps."

On Sharpton's program Monday, Imus said that "our agenda is to be funny and sometimes we go too far. And this time we went way too far."

Imus made his remark the day after the Rutgers team, which includes eight black women, lost the NCAA women's championship game to Tennessee. He was speaking with producer Bernard McGuirk and said "that's some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos ..."

"Some hardcore hos," McGuirk said.

"That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that," Imus said.

The Rutgers comment has struck a chord, in part, because it was aimed at a group of young women at the pinnacle of athletic success. It also came in a different public atmosphere following the Michael Richards and Mel Gibson incidents, said Eric Deggans, columnist for the St. Petersburg Times and chairman of the media monitoring committee of the National Association of Black Journalists. The NABJ's governing board, which doesn't include Deggans, wants Imus canned.

[hissteps4u]

Sharpton needs to get over it. If blacks can refer to themselves as ******* and other deragatory terms as crackers and snf like such then whats the difference if whites do it.

Grow up, I dont even listen to Imus but Sharpton or jackson are no role models to be telling America what can be said or not on radio or other media.

[adian1-2009]

Imus abuses his right to free speech. He must be fired. It is not Rev. Sharpton or Jackson the ones that should get over it, it is Imus and others like him. This country has enough of other problems. Why are we going to continue pulling racist cards for no reason?

[thehobman]

The Press Is A fountain Of Information For The
Enemy But We Have To Protect Them. I Think As Long
As They Are Over There They Should Protect Themselfs..They Have All The Ratings And Money.
They Never Have Any Good News On Anything Good
We Do, Only Everything Bad}}}
Because They Are Experts They Hide Behind Freedom Of The Press,,,They Have Killed Many Solders Because Of There Information They Let Out On Everything We Do,,,,If I Was In Charge I Would Tell Them Get Out..Or Go On The Otherside And See
How Long You Will Last...

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

[gerrity32]

Tell Al and his posse to go screw. Imus is Imus. Imus says things terrible about the Vice President and nobody gets upset. If Imus needs to go then lay it all out on the table.

[jscribe58]

I've been listening to Don Imus for years, and any idiot can consider themselves offended if they have no concept of humor, or if they're just plain looking for a cause. Imus is unique in the way that he satirizes everyone equally, and it always comes out funny.

The problem with Sharpton and Jackson is that what was a good cause forty years ago has run it's course, and they've run out of reasons to make a living off other people's fears. Equality in this country was achieved through a lot of heartache and even violence, and the healing process has been going well by any standards. Sharpton and Jackson, however, make their living as parasites, and must pick at the scab until it bleeds to keep themselves in the limelight.

If they are out for justice, a simple apology would have been more than adequate, especially since the Polish, Italian, Irish, Japanese, Norwegian and everyone else are not offended, merely because they see it for what it is and are not complaining. They also know this is America, and if a host offends them, a mere twist of the dial will solve their problem.

If these leeches get NBC to cave to this obviously racist and self opportunistic duo, they should be ashamed of themselves.

[thisandthat1]

TYPICAL! Just because you've been listening to Imus for years, nobody in the country has a sense of humor. Well, I guess our definitions of humor are much different. What an insult that Imus is back on the air this morning with his weepy "I'm not a bigot, I love black people" speech! Too late. Apology unaccepted.... He needs to go!

[cat1dog5075]

I think their all nuts - I don%u2019t like Imus that much - At times what this moron calls %u201Chumor%u201D is not even funny to me - Yes - He said %u201Cnappy headed hos%u201D - It was wrong but I guess you could also say it was wrong to say %u201Ccrazy%u201D red heads or the time he called blondes, %u201CBlonde Bimbos%u201D - It was wrong but how come Rev. Al Sharpton or Rev.Jesse Jackson with his %u201CRainbowPUSH Coalition%u201D only defend %u201Cnappy heads%u201D and not blondes or red heads - There are many redheaded Irish women and many Swedish blonde women but the truth is the only color in the Rainbow of the Rainbow Coalition is black - If they want to come to the rescue and defend Black women it is not this moron Imus they need to worry about - They need to tell there own young brothers to stop using the N word on their women and that just because you can make a baby that does not make you a father

[cirsey1]

Don Imust is a very well respected television personality. His show is well known for satire, and just plain out right making fun of people in the news daily. I think what he said was unfortunate, however Mr. Imus has apologized more than once. I think people like Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton get themselves a lot of publicity over things like this. I have to agree I have heard remarks from black people calling themselves even worse and laughing about it. Where is out right to free speech? And is it just limited to certain people these days? I think this whole thing has been blown way out of proportion.

[cathaleen]

Imus and Bernard are always making insulting comments about women. But you have to have a sense of humor. Also, they know what a sensitive issue race is in this country. For all the millions of dollars that Imus makes he sure be more responsible. I don't think he should be fired - he's doing his mea culpas.

[barbaraf4]

Jesse Jackson has made a pretty good career out of having been on the balcony when Martin Luther King was killed. As for Sharpton, wasn't he recently celebrating his white blood by publishing his family tree? These people have no shame.

Imus' comments certainly were inappropriate; however, he is a brilliant, articulate (there's that code word again), man who has worked very hard to make the lives of terminally ill children a little brighter.

It is sad that in our PC America, a person's accomplishments for good can be wiped away in a second by a sentence (that may even be factual, just not able to pass the racial slur test).

Anyone remember Howard Cosell? Saying "watch that monkey run" on air ended his career.

[asor1-2009]

"... and I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person, but I said a bad thing,"

No, you idiot, you ARE a bad person who said a good thing. By 'good' I mean that now we ALL know what goes on in your heart. You've let it slip out again and everyone heard you. Go find a job that you are better suited for.

[iceman_1960]

I have to hand it to Don Imus.

With a face like his, it must take a truckload of nerve to criticize anybody else's physical appearance.

If he does lose his job, he can get one as a Hollywood extra: lots of Westerns need the stereotypical town drunk.

[usnoozulooz3]

This thing is getting way too much attention. Jessie Jackson and Al sharpton are doing what they do best--they are using this to keep their own names in the news.
Imus owes no one an apology--its that simple. It seems they should change the name of this country to the ''United States of The Offended''because thats all people are anymore. Get over it. Al's and Jessie's priorities aren't straight.
If they would like to do something productive for their race,it seems they would address unwed black mothers,black on black crime,drug use, etc,etc.

[asor1-2009]

I don't think he should be fired - he's doing his mea culpas.
Posted by cathaleen at 08:18 AM : Apr 09, 2007

You should wake up and smell the coffee, cathaleen.

[iceman_1960]

"But [Imus] said it was important to understand the context of his comments."

The Bible Thumpers' defense.

They defend the most outrageous Bible quotes that way.

Give it a try, sir. It's worked before.

[anitammc]

I'm a nappy headed ho (with a sense of humor). Al Sharpton needs to explain to me why it is ok for rappers to make money selling billions of shocking lyrics, presumably about black women and/or women in general, and selling them to majority whites, but a shock jock on tv, who's, I'm sure, desensitized to racial *** like that because of the infiltration of the rap culture into mainstream, can't make money off his comments? I may be missing something, but I think what's good for the shock rappers selling shock to whites about their own women, is good for the gander, selling it back via shock radio/tv. I think it was the nappy-head part that offended people the most, not the ho's part, which, again, is interesting. I say ignore him. I think he and his wife do a lot for the community. I don't think he's racist. I could be wrong. I wouldn't bet my life on it. But I don't believe his wife would tolerate being married to a racist. Hell, I don't think black men prefer nappy-headed women either, hence the drive that black women feel to wear their hair unnatural. I do believe that the girls on the team ( I haven't seen them, don't actually know their ages ) but I feel that if they're young, they may be more hurt or disturbed by a comment like that coming from him than I would at 45 years old, and maybe they should personally make amends for embarrasing them.

[asor1-2009]

I would love to hear this idiot make jokes about ugly, white, racist, rightWing, wealthy, stupid men.
Now that would be funny.

[iceman_1960]

I seem to recall CBS' Andy Rooney getting in trouble like this once.

Strangely enough, there's no mention of that in this report.

[rotten30]

This has nothing to do with Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson - the media is focusing on these people.

This is about a team of college athletes who go to school, believe in excellence plus took their team to the finals having being degraded by a nasty stereotype from a talk show host.

[iceman_1960]

"That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that," Imus said.

He was referring to some disciplined young women who attend a prestigious university, Rutgers, and who participate on its athletic teams. There is no reason to suspect any of them of prostitution or any other illegal activity. They are in fact positive role models.

That was no mere slip of the tongue by Imus. You can't apologize for something like that.

Don Imus has to go.

[melbournedav]

Amazing how anyone could listen to two leeches like Jackson and Sharpton who make a living off their trumping up the racial issue. These two creeps should be ignored by any and every white person in America. Maybe then the blacks might get the message that we ain't buying their *** about the how they deserve special treatment.

[ov442]

its hard to say what should happen. Comedians take stereotypes and make fun of them. However, this case was pretty poor taste. And it shows a redneck side of Imus that is offensive. However, an apology is all thats required of many other people for making stupid stereotype remarks, racial or not. And considering Imus has done a lot of good and also has a serious political aspect to his show, should he be fired? i dont think so. Not when an plain insultive, deragatory, hate filled blowhard like Rush Limbaugh can make fun of and insult people with seriously painful medical problems and disabilities both on radio and on Video and no one even comes close to firing him.
-- granted the republicans will allow any sort of immoral act to go unpunished as long as it doesnt interfere with their agendas.

[iceman_1960]

Furthermore (and I'm surprised this hasn't happened yet) those young women on the Rutgers basketball team should sue Don Imus and his sidekick for slander and defamation of character.

They should sue his broadcasters too, if they don't fire him.

[rational_1]

Let's put this into some perspective. I've always believed that actions speak louder than words. Sure Imus is an idiot, but that's his game - you don't make all that money and get that audience base without being controversial. So, he's an idiot for what he said about those female basketball players. Fair enough.

Now, let's look at some of the people accusing him of impropriety. Jesse Jackson has an illegitimate child; nice going Jesse being a great role model for all the young black men bailing on their pregnant girlfriends. And what about Al? Well, Al Sharpton's inflammatory rhetoric was in part responsible for the Crown Heights riot that led to the death of a rabbinical student. He was also spokesman for a predatory lender that targeted African Americans.

So, once again, Imus is an idiot. But as far as scumbags go, he obviously still has a lot to learn from Jackson and Sharpton.

[thisandthat1]

I have a better idea. Let's REALLY put this in perspective. Instead of celebrating these women for this incredible accomplishment of playing in the championship game, they now have to suffer the indignity of being called "nappy-headed ho's" (******) by the likes of Don Imus.

[iceman_1960]

"...those young women on the Rutgers basketball team should sue Don Imus and his sidekick for slander and defamation of character."

Definitely.

Imus is no mere standup comic like Don Rickles. Imus has interviewed presidential candidates on his program.

He can't use the Don Rickles defense.

[crystalblue3]

Oh for God's sake....let it go already.

There are so many other issues that need "backing". And is anyone else as sick of Al Sharpton as I am?

[wyowindy1]

Has forgiveness been excised from the Christian religion?

Though now a Wiccan, I was raised in the Presbyterian church. My father taught bible studies and we frequently discussed the concept of forgiveness, and "turning the other cheek".

Forgiveness is part of my life. Has Rev. Sharpton eschewed it in favor of righteous indignation?

What would Jesus do?

[iceman_1960]

It becomes much more difficult to address the real problems of the black community when those young people who are playing by the rules, attending university and playing collegiate sports [if Don Imus doesn't think that takes discipline and dedication, let him suit up and try it], get labelled "nappy headed ho's" on a popular national broadcast.

"Let it go" after Don Imus loses his job and pays megabucks in restitution for what he said and did, not before.

[ebradsher2]

I agree, let it go. Man, there are so many things that need addressing a lot more important than this is. Feed the hungry, clothe the poor, etc.
Give it a break!

[clvassallo]

Has anyone in the black community listened to any Hip Hop/Rap in the last 10 years? Who's the pot and who's the kettle?

[iceman_1960]

Some white people who couldn't forgive a slap in the face, are now "forgiving" Don Imus on behalf of the black community.

[cnemmie]

Any time a persons says a recist comment, it is in their heart, we can not speak such awful words if it is not our sincere belief. The funny thing about racism is that we are all same in so many ways, we hurt, we mourn the loss of love ones, we expereinces the say kinds of joy in life... racism is one's way of trying to be superior to someone else. If you really feel good about who you are, you would not have to put anyone else down... and this goes for everyone

[rational_1]

"Forgiveness is part of my life. Has Rev. Sharpton eschewed it in favor of righteous indignation?"


Not quite - he eschewed it in favour of media attention. This guy just loves to see himself on the tube. "Look at me, I'm important, everyone listen to me, I have something important to say. I'm a former Presidential candidate, look at me! What's the issue again? Oooohh look at meeeeeee!"

Websters should have his picture next to the word sanctimonius.

[iceman_1960]

"Has anyone in the black community listened to any Hip Hop/Rap in the last 10 years? Who's the pot and who's the kettle?" Posted by clvassallo at 08:54 AM : Apr 09, 2007

And when a national broadcaster like Oprah Winfrey starts talking like this, fire her too, and sue her.

[discos1]

The sad irony of this episode is this : "it's OK for me to pick on those of my kind , but nobody else can." Well, that on it's face, sounds frigging stupid. Now, racial slurs are never appropriate and Imus should be admonished but not banished from the air.

Don't make the world worse by removing this man who asks the hard questions that most in the media are too afraid to ask. Here's a few fires that Imus and his crew lit and/or fanned the flames of: increasing the death benefits for soldier's families; bringing autism out of the closet; expanding the attention of conditions at Veteran's Hospitals; his work with kids with cancer, just to name a few.

Bottom line: this is a good man who daily reminds us of the good that we can do and motivates me to reflect on my life and my flaws and reminds me not to take myself too seriously and he does it with laughter and some deserved righteous indignation about what we should all be doing.

[mitch0927]

Sue, sue, sue....that seems to be what everyboday wants. Sure, let's give the lawyers more money over this, and of course, we should tie up the courts over this as well. The man owned up to his mistake and asked for forgiveness, oh, but why not hit him in the wallet and give lawyers more money for absolutely nothing. I am sick and tired of seeing that phrase, "Let's sue him or her for what they said." I have listened to the Black community talk trash towards each other, been called a honkey or whitey and it didn't bother me to the point to where I am going to get a worthless lawyer and sue the people. The Black community calls each other the "N" word like it was nothing, but let a non Black say it, it causes the country to come to a "stand still" until someone "Pays" for what they said. This country has turned into a bunch of spoiled brats that has nothing better to do but be a watchdog over what people say.

[iceman_1960]

Nobody was trying to defend Jessie Jackson's anti-Semitic slur by citing the use of similar terms by Jewish standup comics and then saying "kettle and pot !!"

No should anyone have.

That's an apples and oranges analogy.

[iceman_1960]

"I have listened to the Black community talk trash towards each other..."

Who hasn't ?

When Oprah Winfrey starts doing it on national TV, let me know.

That would be the correct analogy to Don Imus.

[candiejade]

WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY ON WHO GETS FIRED - ANYWHERE?

WHO DECIDES WHICH PEOPLE CAN SAY "***, WHITEY, NAPPY HEADED HO", ETC.?

WHO'S IN CHARGE? I KNOW! NOBODY IS!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

[alexma50085]

The more publicity we give "race", the bigger the wedge it drives between Americans. Al and Jesse keep speaking about how they want equality, but the only times you ever see them get their panties in a bunch, is when a white person says something derogitory towards a black person. Why don't they ever get wound up about black on black racism? I see plenty of it every day.

Imus has apoligise. It should be left at that. There are more important things going on in this country, like the fact that soldiers are still dying in Iraq, than some guy saying "nappy-headed ho's" on the radio.

[johngorrind]

Don Imus is no different than scores of people who have reached their level of incompetence while simultaneously abusing the power they have accrued.

Mr. Imus simply can't curb his tongue- something anathema for many talkjocks. I really don't think he was "kidding." He was drunk with feeling inured from reprisal given his powerful position. The tendency for such personalities is to pander to the dissatisfaction, anger, and impotence that so many of their listeners feel.

If Imus should go, so should a lot of others. He's just a little more gruff and blatant than the rest. The hate spewed by a lot of high profile pundits somehow is considered more acceptable.

The real hate-mongers are our politicians. But they couldn't dream of ascending into power if they didn't watch every word they utter. But what they are thinking and actually doing behind the scene is a thousand times worse than anything Don Imus could exact on our society.

Venal words are hurtful. Yet Americans excuse our public officials who lie routinely. Take our current president and the case of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction. He simply passed the blame on to others. Liars such as Bush are necessarily cowards as well. Somehow lying is more acceptable than speaking one's mind- even if it leads the nation into war and is the cause of a massive loss of life.


Don Imus is but a distraction. But better to train ones eyes on the evil-minded liars who can start a nuclear war- they are the truly dangerous ones.

[hazelknows]

It was a terrible subject to be discussing period, on the radio or in private, but it is freedom of speech, done poorly. I've never heard of this Imus person til now. The media/RainbowPUSH Coalition could pile on now and throw him under the bus or just turn him off and he'll go away...........

[iceman_1960]

"WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY ON WHO GETS FIRED - ANYWHERE? WHO DECIDES WHICH PEOPLE CAN SAY "***, WHITEY, NAPPY HEADED HO", ETC.?"

If the late Jimmy the Greek Snyder or the late Al Campanis were still around, they could answer that one.

From Wikipedia:

"Controversy continued to follow Irvin [Michael Irvin, African American, former ESPN sports commentator and former NFL star] when during a November 2006 radio interview on the Dan Patrick show, Irvin joked that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's athletic ability may have been due to African-American heritage, and made references to Romo's maternal relatives being involved with "slave brothers". Irvin later apologized. He explained himself saying, "this is how I joke around with Romo when we're playing basketball. There's a difference from me the player and me the broadcaster".

On February 17, 2007, during its late edition of SportsCenter, ESPN announced that Irvin was no longer with the network. ESPN Communications Vice President Josh Krulewitz said of Irvin, "We thank Michael for his contributions to ESPN and wish him well." The reasons behind Irvin's dismissal have not been confirmed.

[johngorrind]

Don Imus is no different than scores of people who have reached their level of incompetence while simultaneously abusing the power they have accrued.

Mr. Imus simply can't curb his tongue- something anathema for many talkjocks. I really don't think he was "kidding." He was drunk with feeling inured from reprisal given his powerful position. The tendency for such personalities is to pander to the dissatisfaction, anger, and impotence that so many of their listeners feel.

If Imus should go, so should a lot of others. He's just a little more gruff and blatant than the rest. The hate spewed by a lot of high profile pundits somehow is considered more acceptable.

The real hate-mongers are our politicians. But they couldn't dream of ascending into power if they didn't watch every word they utter. But what they are thinking and actually doing behind the scene is a thousand times worse than anything Don Imus could exact on our society.

Venal words are hurtful. Yet Americans excuse our public officials who lie routinely. Take our current president and the case of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction. He simply passed the blame on to others. Liars such as Bush are necessarily cowards as well. Somehow lying is more acceptable than speaking one's mind- even if it leads the nation into war and is the cause of a massive loss of life.


Don Imus is but a distraction. But better to train ones eyes on the evil-minded liars who can start a nuclear war- they are the truly dangerous ones.

[briannorwood]

Don Imus is a self agrandizing idiot. How people of such limited intelligence and talent can have his own tv/radio show is beyond me. But in my opinion, I won't be sorry to see him go.

It's time to exercise the zero tolerance rule for this moron and others like him. No more hate speech then the obligatory "I'm sorry" routine.

If he wasn't a prejudiced bigot to begin with, those words wouldn't even be in his vocabulary, let alone be announced on national radio and tv.

Goodby Imus.

[robrob791]

What was that girl that took BIG AL OUT OF THAT STORE FRONT CHURCH IN HARLEM and put him on the National Stage???????????????????????

[iceman_1960]

A few more public apologies, and he can rename his show "Imus in the Mourning"

[iceman_1960]

What was that girl that took BIG AL OUT OF THAT STORE FRONT CHURCH IN HARLEM and put him on the National Stage???????????????????????
Posted by robrob791 at 09:28 AM : Apr 09, 2007

Tawana Brawley.

I'm surprised the Rev. Sharpton has the nerve to show himself in public after that.

Don Imus should be condemned, but please let someone besides Sharpton and Jessie Jackson do it.

Those guys doing it, are like Teddy Kennedy questioning Clarence Thomas' sexual morals.

[cadmantwo]

Imus should be fired. Not because of this one incident, but because of his consistent intolerance of others, his constant demeaning of co-workers, and his denigrating of all those who fail to agree with him. We need to re-examine a lot of what we accept as entertainment in this country. Imus is just the tip of an iceberg.