CBS Fires Don Imus Over Racial Slur

Dismissal Caps Week Of Uproar Over Radio Host's Comments About Rutgers Women's Basketball Team

(CBS/AP)  CBS announced Thursday that it has fired Don Imus from his radio program, following a week of uproar over the radio host's derogatory comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

"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.

One of those discussions took place at noon today with a coalition of leaders from the civil rights and women's movements, who said it was time for Imus to go, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.

"It's important that we stand with the women of Rutgers who are deeply hurt by the highly insensitive comments of Don Imus," said Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League.

It's a stunning fall for one of the nation's most prominent broadcasters. Time Magazine once named the cantankerous host as one of the 25 Most Influential People in America, and he is a member of the National Broadcaster Hall of Fame.

But Imus found himself at the center of a storm after he called members of the Rutgers team "nappy-headed hos" last week. Protests ensued, and one by one, numerous sponsors pulled their ads from Imus' show. On Wednesday, MSNBC dropped its simulcast of the program.

Losing Imus will be a financial hit to CBS Radio, which also suffered when shock jock Howard Stern departed for satellite radio early last year. The program is worth about $15 million in annual revenue to CBS, which owns Imus' home radio station, WFAN-AM in New York, and manages Westwood One, the company that syndicates the show across the country. CBS Corp. is also the parent company of CBSNews.com.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson met with Moonves to advocate Imus' removal.

Jackson called the firing “a victory for public decency. No one should use the public airwaves to transmit racial or sexual degradation."

Said Sharpton: “He says he wants to be forgiven. I hope he continues in that process. But we cannot afford a precedent established that the airways can commercialize and mainstream sexism and racism."

Sumner Redstone, chairman of the CBS Corp. board and its chief stockholder, told Newsweek that he had expected Moonves to "do the right thing," although it wasn't clear what he thought that was.

The news came down in the middle of Imus' Radiothon, which has raised more than $40 million since 1990 for good causes. The Radiothon had raised more than $1.3 million Thursday before Imus learned that he lost his job.

"This may be our last Radiothon, so we need to raise about $100 million," Imus cracked at the start of the event.

Volunteers were getting about 200 more pledges per hour than they did last year, with most callers expressing support for Imus, said Tony Gonzalez, supervisor of the Radiothon phone bank. The event benefited Tomorrows Children's Fund, the CJ Foundation for SIDS and the Imus Ranch, which hosts kids with cancer.

Imus, who was suspended by CBS Radio for two weeks without pay beginning next week, was in the awkward situation of broadcasting Thursday's radio program from MSNBC's studios in New Jersey, even though NBC News said the night before that MSNBC would no longer simulcast his program on television.

He didn't attack MSNBC for its decision — "I understand the pressure they were under," he said — but complained the network was doing some unethical things during the broadcast. He didn't elaborate.

He acknowledged again that calling the Rutgers women's basketball players "nappy-headed hos" a day after they had competed in the NCAA championship game had been "really stupid." He said he had apologized enough and wasn't going to whine about his fate.

"I said it," he said. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't say it."

Sharpton and Jackson emerged from a meeting with Moonves saying the corporate chief had promised to consider their requests.

"It's not about taking Imus down," Sharpton said. "It's about lifting decency up."

While Imus' dismissal may seem like a huge story, it is not the first time something similar has happened, reports Jeff Greenfield, CBS News' soon-to-be senior political correspondent.

Bob Grant, a popular New York radio host, was put off the air for calling the African-American mayor at the time a "washroom attendant." And Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder lost his CBS job on NFL football pre-game telecasts by saying black athletes were superior to white athletes.

Throughout all of this, Imus has said he wants the chance to apologize to the 10 players face to face, adds Cordes.

On the "Oprah" show today, the team indicated that could happen very soon.

"We promise to come into this meeting with an open heart and open mind," said C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers' coach.

Thanks for the comment about Bigelow!! I love that tea, and won't dessert companies with character and the fortitude to STAND for what is right.
We MARCH ON!

[dpfletch1931]

Hi legna339, I agree with you 100%...this entire episode was ridiculous and it is about time the silent majority take the control back from the vocal minority. And I agree the only thing they understand is the pocketbook but to be fair Bigelow Tea never left Imus. I heard them on the Telethon and Imus thanked them for their unwavering support. All the others suck and it is time to hit them right where it hurts...the pocketbook.

An old adage is, " the pen is mightier than the sword" yet I say, "The PURSE is mightier than the pen,"
Boycott! Every company, every news station. Let us, the citizens of this country, take back our airwaves, television stations, and TELL those who are doing this. WE are in control of the media.

WE can make it ONE standard of decency.Do not buy one record, watch one show from any network who REFUSES to listen to the voice of the people...Do not buy any product from ANY company that buckles to idiots,and we ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
STAPLES----- NOW HOME DEPOT
BIGELOW TEA--------- LIPTON OR ARIZONA
PROCTOR AND GAMBLE-------- COLGATE-PALMOLIVE
and CBS which includes:CBSB., CBS Entertainment, CBS News, CBS SportsB., CBS Radio, UPNB., ShowtimeB., The Movie Channel, FlixB., CBS Outdoor, King WorldB., Spelling TelevisionB., Entertainment TonightB., Star TrekB., Simon & SchusterB., Pocket BooksB., CSTV College Sports TelevisionB., CBSSportsline, CBS Digital Media .
TURN THE CHANNEL AND subscribe to another network.
Nough said!

[martinsmad]

hoipolloi - "According to Thesaurus.com, synonyms for "hoi polloi" include "...commoners, great unwashed, multitude, plebeians, proletariat, rabble, rank and file, riffraff, the common people, the herd" ...makes you wonder doesn't it.

[martinsmad]

I want to thank CBS for showing itself for what it is, lying hypocrites with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Where is your outrage over Jesse Jackson and Al Sharptons comments about the Duke Lacrosse team? Anyone remember Tawana Bawley, or maybe a Life magazine article in which Jesse Jackson talks about "spitting in whiteys food"? I can go back through my memory and point to a pattern of racist remarks by these "reverends".

Are these inconvenient truths or is it okay for Hymie in Hymietown to be disparaged by a prominent black spokesman, and Reverend. For what it%u2019s worth CBS, NBC, MSNBC, MTV, VH1 and all affiliates are now blocked in my home. My money can be spent elsewhere rather than support a spineless, worthless management on a media outlet such as yours.

[rmcrd0521]

It's a shame that the hollier than thou pundits couldn't see farther than the end of their nose in demanding the firing of Don Imus.

As a fan of Imus for over 20 years I've listened to the show change drastically from the Moby Worm, Billy Saul Harkas days. The "shockjock" days were well behind him.

While his comments were indeed grotesque, they were merely the result of momentary stupidity on his part. Imus had become much more about championing charitable causes, and creating a sounding board on current issues, when noone else seemed to care. He also dedicated his life to running the Imus Ranch (how many of us would do that?).

It's funny how CBS and MSNBC suddenly found the content of the show unacceptable when they only recently extended Imus's contract for another 5 years. I wonder how the CBS Radio and MSNBC employees, who felt so strongly that Imus should be fired, will feel when handed their pink slips now that they both have lost their most prolific and money making personality.

I also would like to hear how the pundits who were so outraged at about the damage done to the 10 Rutgers players, will now show their support for the millions of unfortunates who won't be benefiting from the various causes that Imus had supported though his show. It certainly is a strange penalty to demand the removal of someone's ability to perform a service to their community!

I certainly understand why Imus should be fired, but why not include his producer, too?

According to the article I read, Imus was speaking with producer Bernard McGuirk about the game when the exchange began on "Imus in the Morning," which is broadcast to millions of people on more than 70 stations and the MSNBC television network. Their conversation:

"That's some rough girls from Rutgers," Imus said. "Man, they got tattoos ... ."
"Some hardcore hos," McGuirk said.

McQuirk started the insult and Imus built upon it. Haven't they noticed that some of the sexiest women in movies also have tattoos? BOTH men should be fired, not just the celebrity.
Imus added the remark about their hair, but McQuirk's comment was about the entire team, with no discrimination. The article said 8 of the girls are black, which would indicate that there is a mixture on the team, but it's only the racist slur that gets people's attention. There was no comment about the producer's instigation of the conversation...all he's going to do is find another Imus and continue the negativity...

The next question is: what are you going to do about the hip-hop and rap songs that call women "*** and hoes" and recommend killing cops? Can you make certain they get fired, too?

[jburdman7]

Idaho is removed from the Union of States

TATE DEPARTMENT : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Idaho has been officially declared to be a white state. Therefore it's name has been found offensive and will be banned from the union.

Should Idaho have been found to be a black rap artist, Idaho would have been granted a lifetime achievement award.

The ACLU immediately demanded that potatoes be removed from all schools and government buildings. They claim the separation of sauce from steak requires potatoes must be forbidden, so as to not be established as the official food of the union. They note that noodles and rice have been offended by the government's condoning the serving of potatoes at schools, in spite of the fact that the only ones served potatoes had to request them. School cooks had been allowed to cook potatoes, with some restrictions. While cooking, the chef must face Mecca. And the chef must not refer to the potatoes by name.

Boston added, all Mr. Potato Heads are to be treated as possible terrorist bombs.

For the rest of this comment, visit this blog:

http://blog.myspace.com/jburdman7

Enjoy!

[dpfletch1931]

Hey Hoipolloi2, it is people like you who claim to be holier than thou and always profess to know more than everyone else. You throw around terms like bigot and racist; and try to place labels on anyone who doesn't agree with you. In fact, it is your intolerance and ignorance that poisons your heart. It is this exact intolerance and closed mindedness that compelled the media to try and convict Imus before he got to address the very people he was to have wronged. The only thing you seem to have gotten right about this whole affair is that it is pathetic... you're pathetic in your intolerance, Les Moonves and his cronies are pathetic in their misjudging of the situation and reaction, Al & Jessie are pathetic in their obvious efforts to profit from anothers misfortune, the media is pathetic in their efforts to seem so outraged they looked silly arguing against level-headed black commentators like John Ridley and, last but not least, Obama came across as pathetic making comments about Imus AFTER using the Imus show to promote his book. Hoipolloi2 you are right...it is pathetic.

[acarlr]

I will be boycotting all cbs products because of the firing of imus

[jimiam1]

While I had to get this issue off my chest. Perhaps I should worry about myself alittle more. After all, Imus is a millionaire many times over and I live paycheck to paycheck. Imus will be back but not on a
network such as CBS. Perhaps Moonves has a little too much money for a little too long. He think he is God and that is common for rich folk.You can't take the money with you when you die. What are ya going to do then. Just upset me that a career can be cut short for such a minor slip of words. And what really infuriates me is these racist clowns like sharpton cause so much trouble. These people need to be silenced. Fired, etc. Banned from the media. Opera too makes me sick for promoting this *** too.

[kyhorne]

His punishment....from who? From Al? From Jessie? Or the right and just punishment? Don't point fingers at someone who has come back from the hold of the Devil and made his life something special and honorable!!! Hang in there IMAN....

[kyhorne]

I will boycot all sponsors that pull out of the Imus show, and any product/show that endorses or is shown with Brother Al and Jessie! I've finally had enough of this poor me/you owe me/you're not helping me/etc thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kyhorne]

Who died and made Brother Al GOD. Getting rid of the IMAN isn't going to smooth things over (CBS/NBC). It will get a lot worst before it gets better! You both had a chance to create a better image with IMUS by changing a person here and a skit there, but YOU only saw dollar signs with no plaining or thought. I wish I had the power to shut you both down.

[fournerat]

just tuned into Black Entertainment Network this afternoon for a huge dose of backstreet gutter images and vocals.

bunch of females shaking their butts and fronts at the camera while black men "croon" at them.

who are the females that offer themselves for these videos ? what's their stories ? give them a microphone so we can hear from them. put on the air their dancing coaches and choreographers.

when will the black female (and male) employees of CBS, NBC, FOX and the other media outlets get vocal about this degradation of black females that enters our homes hour after hour, day after day and week after week ?

you went vocal about Imus, which you should have. when will you take it further in your daily and weekly meetings with managers, officers, program directors, etc ?

you and your sponsors have the power over the microphones and the video cameras.

make use of them while you have your bosses attention.

or are your CD and DVD cases full of that mindless garbage too ?

[hoipolloi2]

I do know more about him than you do.

All the racists and bigots that love Mr. Imus should not be worried.

Surely, he will be picked up by satellite or maybe Fox...

Then all of you can still get your kicks listening to degrading and demeaning comments by your hero.

How pathetic is that !

[dpfletch1931]

Hey Hoipolloi2..."Perhaps you should learn more about who you are defending before you post on any comment board"; comments like yours show YOU don't have a clue about what you are talking about. While definately left leaning, Imus is one of the true free thinkers who votes with his heart and head not just his political affiliation. He gives most the benefit of the doubt. His comments about Carl Rove and *** Cheney are far more slanderous than what he said in jest about the girls from Rutgers but I hear none in the media even mentioning those comments. Double standard or freedom of speech if you say what I believe?!? Does a racist play Dr. Kings speech every King birthday...twice? Or maybe that was just an elaborate, planned cover up for when he showed his true colors? Get real and be fair! It is these type of actions that further divide instead of bring us together. The scary thing for our culture is that high powered people in the media who fancy themselves Americas conscience, ie. Moonves, Capus, Griffin & Cox continually get it wrong.

[ptaylor063]

I am appalled at the firing of Don Imus! Shame on you CBS and sponsors. Will be withdrawing my support from both in the future -- but perhaps I should thank you for finally giving me a great reason to purchase sattelite radio -- where there is still free speech. I am certain Imus will be entertaining us again there in the not too distant future!

[dougy314]

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Voltaire, (Attributed); originated in "The Friends of Voltaire", 1906, by S. G. Tallentyre

Real Americans used to agree with the above sentiment. What nauseates the remaining ones is the sniveling cowardice of the soulless suits at CBS in the face of a crude extortionist like Sharpton. Moonves is a media boss who cares nothing for basic freedom.

[samodhi]

Simple and easy - JUST TURN HIM OFF. Why the debate about what he said. If you don't like him turn him off. I personally dislike him immensely and I never listen to him. I also don't like Rap music so I don't listen to that either. Why are we having this discussion at all. Doesn't it seem strange the the Morning show has three black men on to have a "Race Debate"? How hypocritical can one be - a debate implies at least two different views. Instead you have all the black people discussing it and all have the basic same discussion. Privileged whites, but all the privilege that has been given to the black celebs is never mentioned, nor the EXCLUSIVE Black only events - Miss Black America, Black History, Black remakes of white movies, but never white remakes of black movies --- ad nauseum. How about quit separting everyone and work on issues that bring people together. How about the News being News instead of "Made up Commentary". GET REAL PEOPLE - WE ARE ON THIS EARTH TOGETHER - LET'S WORK ON HUMAN RIGHTS and the BETTERMENT OF HUMAN CONDITIONS and quit worrying about BLING BLING (oops that is BLACK culture).