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John Donald Imus, Jr. (born July 23, 1940),
known simply as Don Imus, is an American radio host, humorist, writer,
and philanthropist. His nationally-syndicated talk show, Imus in the
Morning, airs throughout the United States on ABC Radio Networks and is
simulcast on RFD-TV.
****
Born John Donald Imus, Jr.
July 23, 1940 (1940-07-23) (age 68)
Riverside, California, United States
Occupation Radio and television talk show
host, writer, humorist
Spouse(s) Harriet Showalter (1st); Deirdre
Coleman (2nd)
****
Personal life
Imus was born in Riverside, California [1],
but he was raised on a sprawling cattle ranch called The Willows near
Kingman, Arizona.[2] He served in the Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960.
Imus had battled alcoholism during his
early career in New York, but in 1987 finally pursued effective
treatment. (As of 2008, he has remained sober for 20 years and
counting).[3] In 1988, with his cocaine and alcohol addictions now
legendary in show business, Imus reshaped his show from strictly comedy
into a forum for political issues, charitable causes and news-based
parodies.
In 1979, he divorced his first wife,
Harriet. He married his second wife, Deirdre Coleman on December 17,
1994. He has four step daughters that he adopted from his first marriage
and one son, Frederick Wyatt (nicknamed Wyatt, born July 3, 1998), from
his current marriage. Both Don and Deirdre Imus are vegetarians.
In 1999, Imus and his wife founded the Imus
Ranch, a working cattle ranch near Ribera, New Mexico, 50 miles
southeast of Santa Fe. The Imus Ranch is a charitable organization for
children with cancer, as well as siblings of SIDS victims. Between
Memorial Day and Labor Day each year, the Imus family volunteer their
time at their New Mexico ranch for children with cancer. From Memorial
Day to Labor Day, Imus broadcasts from a studio there, while the rest of
his cast broadcast from New York. In 2000, Imus suffered serious
injuries after a fall from a horse at his ranch, and broadcast several
shows from a hospital.
Imus maintains three residences; an
apartment in Manhattan, a cottage in Westport, Connecticut, and he lives
at the Imus Ranch in Ribera, New Mexico when he is volunteering his time
to help children with cancer.[4]
Early career
Imus began as a radio disc jockey on June
28, 1968 at radio station KUTY in Palmdale, California.[5] After hearing
the morning disc-jockey, he went to the nearby station and persuaded the
owner to hire him, saying he could do a better job. At the time, he was
a brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railroad.[6] He stayed at the station
until 1969[7] when he left for a job at KJOY, a small radio station in
Stockton, California. He was later fired for saying "hell" on air.[8]
After being fired in Stockton, he went to KXOA in Sacramento,
California. His on-air pranks, such as calling up a restaurant and
ordering 1200 hamburgers to go, made his show immensely popular and
boosted ratings. He was inspired to pursue a career in radio from
listening to California radio personality Don MacKinnon.
Imus in the Morning
Main article: Imus in the Morning
After a stint at WGAR radio in Cleveland,
Ohio, Imus moved to New York City and WNBC radio in December 1971, where
he gained a reputation as a radio legend and entertainment genius who
often favored sophisticated, urbane humor. During this first stint at
WNBC, Imus recorded three record albums, two for the RCA Victor label,
(1200 Hamburgers to Go, including some of his more popular "humor" from
KXOA, WGAR and WNBC broadcasts, and One Sacred Damented Chicken to Go
with Anthrax, a primarily studio-created album centering on his
satirical character, The Right Rev. Dr. Billy Sol Hargus) and one for
the Bang label (This Honky's Nuts, an album of his stand up comedy act
at the Manhattan nightclub "Jimmy's"). There was also a 1973 RCA Victor
single, "Son of Checkers," issued by Imus.
Imus then returned to work in Cleveland at
WHK and regeared for what continues to be an unprecedented 30 year run
in New York, the most competitive radio market in the world. In 1978,
Imus commuted between Cleveland and New York to tape a TV talk show,
Imus Plus at WNEW-TV. (The show was nationally syndicated by Metromedia,
which owned both WHK and WNEW-TV at the time.)
Imus returned in September 1979 as WNBC's
morning drive time host. From 1982 to 1985, the station also employed
talk-radio host Howard Stern, and WNBC heavily promoted the pair in
print and television ads, which often featured the slogan "If We Weren't
So Bad, We Wouldn't Be That Good." Although Stern's show aired later in
the day, Imus and Stern often made brief appearances on each other's
shows, giving the audience an occasional glimpse of an on-and-off-air
rivalry that continued for many years.
During this period, Imus was best known for
character Billy Sol Hargus, a radio evangelist whose name was a cross
between infamous real-life radio and television preacher Billy James
Hargis and real-life Texas fertilizer swindler Billie Sol Estes. As
Billy Sol Hargus, Imus touted on-air the merits of the "First Church of
the Gooey Death and Discount House of Worship". Imus published the 1981
best selling novel God's Other Son that further depicted Hargus's
adventures. The novel was republished in 1994 by popular demand and
spent seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.[9] Other
regular Imus characters included the supposed general manager "Geraldo
Santana Banana" (played by doo-wop singer Larry Chance), and "Moby
Worm", a monstrous creature who devoured local schools (which was
reported on the show's "breaking news updates").
Imus was also the utility announcer for
Geraldo Rivera's monthly TV series Good Night, America, which aired as a
recurring segment of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment program. Imus was
also one of the inaugural video jockeys for the launch of the VH-1 cable
network in 1985.
In 1988, WNBC radio was sold to Emmis
Broadcasting, and subsequently, on October 7, 1988, WNBC permanently
signed off the air and Emmis' WFAN was moved from 1050 AM to WNBC's
former spot, 660 AM. Imus in the Morning remained at 660 AM among WFAN's
sports programs with his music and comedy bits as the staples of the
program, and the beginnings of a political forum.
The radio show became nationally syndicated
in 1993, and began simulcasting on MSNBC in 1996. He wore his signature
cowboy hat during his broadcasts.
Imus’ behavior has often drawn the
attention of the press. He famously called Rush Limbaugh "a fat,
pill-popping loser" or a "drug-addled gas bag", and Lesley Stahl a
"gutless, lying weasel." His comedic exchange of quips ("fat pig")
regarding his show’s former news reader, Contessa Brewer, made news as
did Brewer's response ("cantankerous old fool"). When Tucker Carlson
brought up Brewer on the program in 2005, Imus hung up on him, calling
him "a bowtie-wearing pussy."
While on the air during the attacks of
September 11, 2001, the Imus in the Morning program was among the few
live American broadcasts to continue airing commercials well after the
first reports of the attack. These commercials pre-empted word of the
second plane hitting the south tower of the World Trade Center. The
commercials that continued to air included one for a major airline,
Continental, along with a jeweler based in the World Trade Center, and a
spot read "live" on the air for a broadcasting school, in which it was
said careers in broadcasting were "exploding." Imus noted the ironic
writing, but continued reading the spot. His production staff of 13
years also had great difficulty in simulcasting live TV news coverage
when requested by Imus. This staff stayed with Imus after the MSNBC
debacle and moved with him to the new ABC/RFD-TV arrangement. Imus is
still plagued by technical difficulties, which have become part of his
daily comedy diatribe.
Imus was instrumental in raising over $60
million toward Center for the Intrepid, a Texas rehabilitation facility
for soldiers wounded in the Iraq War. Considered to be the largest
technological center of its kind in the country, it is designed to help
treat disabled veterans and help them with their transition back into
the community.
More recently, Imus took on the cause of
the living conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Imus
visits wounded vets at the hospital and is a morale booster for these
heroes. Imus' reporting preceded Army resignations, including that of
Lieutenant General Kevin Kiley, then Army Surgeon General. Imus had
earlier criticized Kiley's personal fitness for military duty and
dedication to wounded soldiers.
Rutgers women's basketball controversy
On April 4, 2007, during a discussion about
the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, Imus characterized the Rutgers
University women's basketball team players as "rough girls" commenting
on their tattoos. His executive producer Bernard McGuirk responded by
referring to them as "hardcore ho's". The discussion continued with
Imus, using commonly known rap vernacular, offhandedly describing the
girls as "nappy-headed hos"[10][11] and McGuirk, using terms penned by
African American film-maker Spike Lee, remarking that the two teams
looked like the "jigaboos versus the wannabes" mentioned in Spike Lee's
film, School Daze; apparently referring to the two teams' differing
appearances.[12][13] At 6:00 p.m. that evening, Media Matters for
America released recorded transcripts to the news media highlighting the
brief exchange:
“ IMUS: That's some rough girls from
Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos and—
McGUIRK: Some hard-core hos.
IMUS: That's some nappy headed hoes. I'm
gonna tell you that now, man, that's some—whew. And the girls from
Tennessee, they all look cute, you know, so, like—kinda like—I don't
know.
McGUIRK: A Spike Lee thing.
IMUS: Yeah.
McGUIRK: The Jigaboos vs. the Wannabes—that
movie that he had.
”
(The audio for the Imus incident can be
found here, on YouTube.)
After some outrage from the initial
repeated reports, Imus dismissed the incident as "some idiot comment
meant to be amusing".[14][15][16]
Imus immediately issued a statement of
apology:
"I want to take a moment to apologize for
an insensitive and ill-conceived remark we made the other morning
regarding the Rutgers women's basketball team, which lost to Tennessee
in the NCAA championship game on Tuesday. It was completely
inappropriate and we can understand why people were offended. Our
characterization was thoughtless and stupid, and we are sorry."
On April, 9, Imus appeared on Al Sharpton's
syndicated radio talk show, Keepin It Real with Al Sharpton to address
the controversy. Sharpton called the comments "abominable", "racist",
and "sexist", and repeated his earlier demand that Imus be fired. Imus
said, "Our agenda is to be funny and sometimes we go too far. And this
time we went way too far. Here's what I've learned: that you can't make
fun of everybody, because some people don't deserve it."[17]
It was then announced that Imus would be
suspended. Media commentators were divided on the suspension: on MSNBC's
Scarborough Country on April, 10,[18] for example, Pat Buchanan said
that Imus is "a good guy... [who] made a bad mistake and apologized for
it" and that the show should stay on the air. Comedian Bill Maher said
that if a comedian apologizes for stepping over a line, that should
suffice. Steve Adubato, an MSNBC media analyst, disagreed, saying that
this incident was "not isolated". Joe Klein made the same charge,
referring to Imus's comment about New York Times reporter Gwen Ifill 14
years before as evidence of a pattern of offensive comments. On The
View, Rosie O'Donnell spoke out in support of keeping Imus on the air on
free speech grounds, [19] while Emil Steiner of The Washington Post
argued that Al Sharpton used the issue to further divide America along
racial lines.[20]
The basketball team held a news conference
where coach C. Vivian Stringer stated that the team would meet with Imus
to discuss his comments. Several of the players expressed their outrage
over the remarks. Team captain Essence Carson said Imus' remarks had
"stolen a moment of pure grace" from the team.[21][22]
African American Chicago Tribune columnist
Clarence Page, at one time a frequent guest, once had confronted Imus
about his characterization of certain black athletes and got Imus to
take a pledge to stop. After the Rutgers team incident, Page said he
would not appear on the show again and said of the original two-week
suspension, "I know other stations... some shock jock who lost his job
for less than this, or been at least suspended for a month or two. Why
does Don, a repeat offender, keep getting away with it? I want to
know."[23] CBS board member and former NAACP president Bruce S. Gordon
said that Imus should not be allowed to come back even after the
suspension, claiming that his remarks "crossed the line, a very bright
line that divides our country."[24]
On April 11, 2007, Steve Capus of NBC News,
bowing to pressure from Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, announced that MSNBC
would no longer simulcast Imus in the Morning, effective immediately.
While the decision came on the same day that a few advertisers left
Imus, the network also said employee concerns played a role. Several
high-profile NBC African-American personalities, including Al Roker
previously a friendly guest on the show, opposed Imus' return. The
absence and silence from Imus's frequent NBC guests Brian Williams,
Andrea Mitchell, David Gregory, Chris Matthews and close friend Tim
Russert was too obvious to ignore and foreshadowed NBC's future
action.[25]
In announcing the decision, Steve Capus,
President of NBC News, said:
"These comments were deeply hurtful to
many, many people. And we’ve had any number of employee conversations,
discussions, emails, phone calls. And when you listen to the passion and
the people who come to the conclusion that there should not be any room
for this sort of conversation and dialogue on our air, it was the only
decision we could reach."[26]
The next day, CBS Radio canceled Imus in
the Morning, effective immediately.[27] CBS President and Chief
Executive Officer Leslie Moonves stated:
"From the outset, I believe all of us have
been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our
air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA
Women's Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent.
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. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our
minds as we made our decision."[28][29]
The day before, CBS chairman Sumner
Redstone said he trusted Moonves would "do the right thing," but didn't
elaborate. Moonves had met with Sharpton and Jesse Jackson shortly
before the announcement was made.[30]
In an internal memo, Moonves said that
employee concerns were a factor in the decision to cancel Imus's show.
However, he said that the decision was "about a lot more than Imus."
Moonves said that CBS had to take Imus off the air in order to change "a
culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that
hurts and demeans a wide range of people."[31]
Seven sponsors had either pulled their ads
outright or suspended advertising on Imus's show to protest his remarks
— General Motors (Imus's biggest advertiser), Staples Inc.,
GlaxoSmithKline, Sprint Nextel, PetMeds, American Express and Procter &
Gamble.[32] One other advertiser, Bigelow Tea, expressed uncertainty at
renewing their ads with Imus's show.[33]
Just hours after the announcement of his
firing, Imus met with Stringer and her team at Drumthwacket, the New
Jersey governor's mansion. The three-hour meeting was arranged by Buster
Soaries, the former New Jersey Secretary of State and Stringer's pastor.
New Jersey governor Jon Corzine planned to attend the meeting but was
injured in a car accident on the way to the meeting.[34] Imus left
without commenting, but Stringer said the meeting went well. She later
commented that they had accepted Imus's apology, and "It would sadden me
for anyone to lose their job,... And he came [to the meeting] in spite
of the fact that he lost his job. So let's give him credit for that."
She also emphasized that the basketball team had not called for Imus to
be fired.[32][35]
CBS has been criticized by some, as being
too harsh for canceling Imus's show. Senator John Kerry said a "long
suspension" would be "appropriate to pay a price on the airwaves but I’m
not sure that it was appropriate to say you’re off forever."[36]
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton's role in the
controversy has drawn complaints. Conservative African American
columnist Armstrong Williams criticized Jackson (who in 1984 referred to
Jews as "Hymies"[37]) and Sharpton for "ratcheting up the rhetoric" and
holding Imus to a “higher standard” than they would have themselves
judged.[38]. Columnist Jason Whitlock questioned the motives of Sharpton
and Jackson, "who pushed the hardest and shouted the loudest for Imus’s
demise," suggesting that their aim was not to help the Rutgers
basketball team but to "cause division for profit."[39] However,
Williams and Whitlock both called Imus' statement offensive. Sharpton
has been criticized for his hypocrisy by not attacking rappers who use
similar terms.
Imus was not the first radio personality to
utter such a phrase on the air; Troi Torain (aka Star) used similar
language in 2001[40] and was subsequently fired.
Rachel Marsden said on the Fox News late
night program, Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld that the term nappy headed ho is
not an offensive term since the players were not wearing diapers on
their heads (nappy refers to diaper in Britain) [41]
Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia of
the popular Opie and Anthony Show were long time friends and supporters
of Imus, and Imus returned the support, occasionally wearing an Opie and
Anthony XM Satellite Radio T-shirt during MSNBC broadcasts. (All were
bitter rivals of Howard Stern). Opie and Anthony were very vocal
industry supporters of Imus throughout the entire controversy, even
saying they felt if the nappy headed hos comment led to a radio pioneer
and philanthropist getting fired, they would most likely go down with
him for their admittedly edgier material. Only one month later, Opie and
Anthony found themselves suspended from their XM Satellite Radio show
for insensitive comments as well. These two controversies, along with a
few others, sparked the creation of People Against Censorship, an
organization started to defend freedom of expression over the
airwaves.[42]
Subsequent litigation
By May 2, 2007, Imus had hired prominent
attorney Martin Garbus to pursue a wrongful termination lawsuit against
CBS for the remaining $40 million on his five-year contract. The
contract contained a clause indicating CBS hired and supported Imus to
exhibit "irreverent" and "controversial" programming.[43]
On August 14, 2007, CBS announced a
settlement with Imus on his $40 million contract.[44] On the same day,
Rutgers' basketball player Kia Vaughn, one of the woman involved in the
controversy, filed suit against Don Imus, NBC Universal, CBS
Corporation, MSNBC, CBS Radio, Viacom, Westwood One radio, and Bernard
McGuirk, citing slander, libel, and defamation of character. Vaughn was
the only one to pursue legal damages brought on by the controversy.[45]
However, Vaughn dropped the lawsuit against Imus on September 11, 2007
citing her desire to concentrate on her studies and basketball
training.[46][47]
Return to radio
On July 8, 2007, the Drudge Report
indicated that Imus would return to the air before the 2008 presidential
election.[48] The New York Post reported on July, 16, 2007 that Imus was
in search of a black comedian to join the show upon its return to help
cushion racially insensitive comments he might say on the air.[49] The
same paper reported on July 27, 2007 that CBS was close to a buyout of
Imus's contract. The report also said Imus's representatives had
contacted Buckley Broadcasting, Citadel Broadcasting, and Clear Channel
Communications.[50] On August, 14, Imus reached a settlement with CBS
Radio over his contract, leaving him free to pursue other media
opportunities.[44]
On November, 1, Citadel announced they had
agreed to what was reportedly a multiyear syndication contract with
Imus. The new Imus in the Morning program would be distributed
nationally by ABC Radio Networks, and would be based at Citadel-owned
WABC in New York City, beginning in December.[51] On November, 14, the
New York Times reported that Imus had agreed to terms with cable network
RFD-TV to air a video simulcast of the new radio program.[52] Charles
McCord and Bernard McGuirk have joined Imus in the new version of the
show.[53] On December, 3, Imus returned to the airwaves on ABC Radio and
RFD-TV. When asked about Imus's return to radio, Al Sharpton said in an
interview, "We’ll monitor him; I’m not saying I’m going to throw a
banquet for him and say welcome home. He has the right to make a living,
but because he has such a consistent pattern with this we are going to
monitor him to make sure he doesn’t do it again."[54] On April 4, 2008,
Jesse Jackson appeared on "Imus in the Morning" to discuss the 40th
anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King--a booking that
would have seemed impossible nearly a year before, when Reverend Jackson
joined 50 demonstrators in Chicago demanding that "Imus Must Go." Many
media commentators declared Don Imus's rehabilitation complete.[55]
Reaction from presidential candidates
On January 11, 2007, Sen. Chris Dodd
(D-CT), an occasional guest on Imus in the Morning, announced his
candidacy in the 2008 Presidential Election while speaking with Imus on
his daily program.[56] Less than three months later, Dodd would publicly
chastise Imus during the Rutgers controversy. Dodd later returned and
appeared on air for Imus's first broadcast following his return on WABC,
though nothing was mentioned of his prior criticism of Imus. In addition
to Dodd, the first week of Imus' return to broadcasting also saw the
return of presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John McCain,
Governor Mike Huckabee, and Governor Bill Richardson to his show. 2004
Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry also appeared. Another
politician noticeably lacking in support was Harold Ford Jr., whom Imus
had supported during Ford's losing 2006 Senate campaign. Democratic
candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have both voiced their
distaste for Imus' remarks, and both publicly agreed with his
firing.[57]
Adam "Pacman" Jones Controversy
On 23 June, 2008, controversy again
surrounded Imus when he made the following statement's regarding the
suspension of Cowboys' cornerback, Adam Jones.
WARNER WOLF: Defensive back Adam "Pacman"
Jones, recently signed by the Cowboys, here's a guy suspended all of
2007, following a shooting in a Vegas nightclub.
DON IMUS: Well, stuff happens. You're in a
nightclub, for God's sake. What do you think is gonna happen in a
nightclub. People are drinking, and doing drugs. There are women there
and people have guns. So there, go ahead.
WARNER WOLF: Also, he's been arrested six
times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005.
DON IMUS: What color is he?
WARNER WOLF: He's African-American.
DON IMUS: Well there you go, now we
know.[58]
In response, Jones said, "I'm truly upset
about the comments. Obviously Mr. Imus has problems with
African-Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for
handles it accordingly. I will pray for him." [59]
Imus said his comments were
misinterpreted.[60] Through his spokesman, Imus said, "I meant that he
was being picked on because he's black."[60]
Phil Boyce, vice president of WABC and
Citadel Broadcasting Corp., said it was unlikely that disciplinary
action would be pursued against Imus, and none was.[60]
Other controversies
Howard Stern
Due in part to Howard Stern's historically
combative relationship with WNBC[citation needed], Stern has regularly
criticized Imus. No reconciliation has occurred, with the two engaging
in an ugly name-calling exchange in late 2003.[61]
Joe Barton
For two weeks in the Fall of 2006, Imus
delivered ongoing 'rants' against Texas Congressman Joe Barton,
describing him as "a lying fat little skunk from Texas", a "pipsqueak"
and a "coward and a crybaby". Imus also called Barton a "congressional
dirtbag", because Barton used his position as a committee chair to
prevent passage of the Combating Autism Act, which would authorize funds
for autism research. In the weeks before Congress recessed on September
29, 2006, Barton used his chairmanship to prevent the legislative
proposal from coming to a vote in the House, rousing the ire of Imus and
his wife, staunch supporters of autism research. The bill already had
been passed unanimously by the Senate, but Barton opposed the Senate
bill's stipulation that centers of excellence investigate environmental
factors.[62]
Lawsuits
Imus was sued by the wife of Boston Herald
columnist and radio talk show host Howie Carr in 1998 after Imus made
sexually explicit remarks about her and boxer Riddick Bowe. Imus
reportedly made the remarks after being told that Carr had said that
Imus "would die before his kid got out of high school"; Carr denies
making those remarks. Carr, represented by Alan Dershowitz, received an
out of court settlement from Imus.[63]
Imus also attracted public attention due to
two lawsuits. On November 29, 2004, a former nanny, Nichole Mallette,
sued Imus for wrongful termination and defamation[64] after a
Thanksgiving 2003 incident in which she was allegedly fired and escorted
off his property at 4:15 AM. Don and Deirdre Imus were allegedly upset
over Mallette's possession of a cap-gun and pocket knife on ranch
property.
On July 8, 2005, Dr. Howard Allen Pearson
sued Imus for slander and civil assault. Pearson accused Imus of
threatening him during a July 13, 2004 confrontation at the ranch, and
Imus subsequently referred to him on air as "an arrogant fucking doctor
who doesn't mind letting a child suffer".[65]
Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner
speech
On March 21, 1996, Imus delivered a speech
at the Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C.,
which Imus later called "The Speech From Hell".
The dinner was attended by President Bill
Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. The initial line of Imus' speech
was considered a direct reference to Hillary Clinton, who was at the
time involved in a specific aspect of the Whitewater scandal concerning
billing records that were discovered just a few weeks before on a table
in the resident section of The White House.
<audience applause> "Thank you very much."
"Um.. this is kind of interesting, these
don't appear to be my notes. <picking up papers from the lectern> (You
still have the folder I gave you? Where did this come from?)" <gesturing
with the papers>
"Well, nobody just leaves stuff like this
just layin' around." <audience laughter, then slowly looks at Hillary,
audience laughs>[66]
Later on, Imus commented on the President
saying "Go baby!" while doing radio play-by-play at an Orioles game, and
added, "I remember commenting at the time, I bet that's not the first
time he's said that."[67]
Accusations of defamatory speech
As "shock jocks", Imus and his crew, mainly
Bernard McGuirk, repeatedly used "politically incorrect" remarks through
skits and character impersonations in what they considered a comical
format which critics labeled as racist, misogynist, homophobic and
anti-semitic. He has also been accused of making offensive remarks off
the air. Some would cite these examples:
In a 1984 interview, answering a question
about Howard Stern, Don Imus said: "yes, Howard's a slut too,
Lloyd...Plus a Jew bastard, and should be castrated... put in an oven" A
clip of this interview was played by Howard Stern in the news section of
his November 5, 2007 show.[cite this quote]
African-American sports columnist Bill
Rhoden referred to as a "New York Times quota hire".[68]
In 1993, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill (then with
the New York Times) referred to as a "cleaning lady."[69][70][71]
As reported by New York Times columnist Bob
Herbert,[72] in the course of a 1998 interview with Mike Wallace on 60
Minutes, Imus told a producer off-camera that McGuirk was hired to
perform "nigger jokes."
Robin Quivers claimed that when she worked
with Imus at WNBC, he called her a "nigger" to her face.[73] Both Howard
Stern and Quivers have also claimed that he screamed "Nigger, Nigger" at
an African American secretary named Brenda during their time at
WNBC.[74]
Imus has also repeatedly referred to Arabs
as "ragheads."[75]
He has berated many female newsreaders,
most recently Contessa Brewer, which caused her to leave the show. After
she left the show, Imus went on a tirade, saying, "With that fat ass
she's got, she wouldn't be one of 'em," [a news 'babe'.]. Imus said on
the air, "That skank has to spend three hours with makeup in the
morning." The tirade was allegedly tied to comments overheard from
Contessa's calling Imus "a cantankerous old fool" at a 2005 dinner in a
restaurant when she was still a newsreader.[76] During a show a producer
also made fun of poet Maya Angelou.[77]
On a December 15, 2004, show, Imus referred
to publishers Simon & Schuster (under same ownership as CBS Radio) as
"thieving Jews," and later in the show issued a mock apology, saying the
phrase was "redundant." In October 1998, he described media critic
Howard Kurtz as "that boner-nosed . . . beanie-wearing little Jew
boy".[78]
The show's routines sometimes contained
derogatory epithets for homosexuals, including "faggot" or "lesbo" and
various terms describing homosexuality.[79]
Imus has also made fun of Irish, Jews,
Italians, other ethnicities and all political positions.[80]
Business interests
Don Imus was also a part owner of the
Autobody Express with his brother, Fred (a frequent caller to the radio
show, commenting on NASCAR races, the NFL and related pop culture
matters). The Autobody Express stores were located in Santa Fe, and
inside the Mohegan Sun Native American Casino in Uncasville,
Connecticut. In 2003, the company failed and both stores closed.
Imus still owns a small coffee/pastry store
also located in the Mohegan Sun casino. The Autobody Express became Imus
Ranch Foods, which offers its signature chips and salsa via online sales
and in Northeastern stores. The proceeds from Imus Ranch Foods help fund
the work of the Imus Ranch.
Honors
Imus won three Marconi Awards, two for
Major Market Personality of the Year (1992 and 1997) and one for Network
Syndicated Personality (1994).
Imus was named one of the 25 Most
Influential People in America in Time magazine (April 21, 1997).
He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame
in 1989. In 2002, Talkers magazine ranked Imus as one of the 25 greatest
radio talk show hosts of all time.[81]
Books
Imus, Donald. God's Other Son. Simon &
Schuster, 1994. (ISBN 0-684-80166-3). (Originally published in 1981
(ISBN 0-671-22537-5).)
Imus, Donald, and Imus, Fred. Two Guys Four
Corners: Great Photographs, Great Times, and a Million Laughs. Villard,
1997. (ISBN 0-679-45307-5).
Imus, Deirdre. The Imus Ranch: Cooking for
Kids and Cowboys. Rodale Press, 2004. (ISBN 0-87596-919-4).
Reed, Jim. Everything Imus: All You Ever
Wanted to Know About Don Imus. Birch Lane Press, 1999. (ISBN
1-55972-504-4).
Tracy, Kathleen. Imus: America's Cowboy.
Carroll & Graf, 1999. (ISBN 0-7867-0608-2).
See also
United States Marine Corps portal
References and notes
1.
^ "Don Imus Biography". Biography
Channel. 2007-04-14.
http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9542196.
2.
^ "Don Imus Bio". ABC Radio Network.
2007-11-26.
http://affiliates.abcradionetworks.com/abcradionetworks/imusbio.pdf.
3.
^ "Don Imus still sober after 21
years". Associated Press. 2007-04-14.
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1481976&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312.
4.
^ "Donahue and Thomas put Westport
house on market for $25 million". Westport Now.com. 2005-08-16.
http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2/comments/donahue_and_thomas_put_westport_house_on_market_for_25_million/.
Retrieved on 2006-07-04.
5.
^ http://imonthe.net/imus/nfaq.htm#3
IMONTHE.Net
6.
^ Late Night with Davis Letterman;
Episode #118; February 24, 1994; Note: He had previously attended
broadcasting school in LA
7.
^ IMONTHE.Net
8.
^ "Controversy has often dogged Don
Imus". msnbc.com. April 11, 2007.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18081950/.
9.
^ "The York Times Best Seller
List-January 8, 1995" (PDF). www.hawes.com. 2007-04-13.
http://www.hawes.com/1995/1995-01-08.pdf.
10.
^ Deepti Hajela (2007-04-12). "Don
Imus' 'nappy' remark has long, hurtful history in describing
African-American hair". Associated Press.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070412-1500-nappyhair.html.
11.
^ Brenda Payton (2007-04-12). "Imus'
remarks demean women of all colors". Inside Bay Area (ANG Newspapers).
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_5649549. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
12.
^ Daniel Trotta (2007-04-12). "Furor
over Imus puts heat on other broadcasters". Reuters.
http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1237895620070412.
Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
13.
^ "Imus called women's basketball
team "nappy-headed hos"". mediamatters.org. 2007-04-04.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200704040011. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
14.
^ "Networks Condemn Remarks by
Imus". The New York Times. 2007-04-07.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/07/arts/television/07imus.html?hp.
Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
15.
^ McShane, Larry (2007-04-07).
"Despite apology, critics want Imus out". Yahoo! News.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070407/ap_en_bu/imus_apology;_ylt=AhHk5jL1T6SiLGVyVKPGcE2mG78C.
Retrieved on 2007-04-07.
16.
^ Hill, Jemele (2007-04-06). "Imus
should be fired". ESPN.com: Page 2.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?archive=070406. Retrieved on
2007-04-07.
17.
^ "Imus takes his lumps on
Sharpton's show". Associated Press. April 9, 2007.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IMUS_PROTESTS?SITE=FLSTU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT.
Retrieved on 2007-04-09.
18.
^ "Transcript of Scarborough Country
10 April 2007". MSNBC. 2007-04-10.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18056324/.
19.
^ Justin McCarthy (April 10, 2007).
"Rosie on Imus: 'Thought Police' Are Coming". NewsBusters, Exposing and
Combating Liberal Media Bias. http://newsbusters.org/node/11976.
Retrieved on September 15, 2007
20.
^ "Al Sharpton, Don Imus & A
Distracted Nation". The Washington Post. 2007-04-14.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/offbeat/2007/04/al_sharpton_don_imus_a_distrac.html/.
21.
^ "Rutgers team to meet with Imus;
Stringer calls comments 'deplorable'". The Herald Standard,PA.
2007-04-11.
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18193723&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=468632&rfi=6.
22.
^ David Heuschkel (2007-04-11).
"Imus' remark Despicable". The Hartford Courant.
http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-rutgers0411.artapr11,0,1279931.story?coll=hc-headlines-sports-college.
23.
^ Clarence Page of the Chicago
Tribune on PBS' NewsHour April 9,007
24.
^ "MSNBC pulls 'Imus in the
Morning'". CNN. 2007-04-11.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/11/imus.rutgers/index.html.
Retrieved on April 11, 2007
25.
^ Cliff Kincaid (April 12, 2007).
"Tim Russert Abandons Don Imus: Leads the Cowardly Suits at NBC". The
National Ledger.
http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=11&num=12700.
Retrieved September 15, 2007
26.
^ "NBC News: 'Only decision we could
reach'". MSNBC. 2007-04-11. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18063461/.
Retrieved on April 11, 2007
27.
^ Breaking News From MSNBC - Don
Imus Fired From CBS Radio (From YouTube)
28.
^ "Newly fired Imus meets with
Rutgers players". CNN. 2007-04-13.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/12/imus.rutgers/index.html.
Retrieved on April 13, 2007
29.
^ "CBS fires Don Imus from radio
show". Associated Press. 2007-04-13.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18072804/. Retrieved on April 13, 2007
30.
^ Bill Carter and Jacques Steinberg
(2007-04-13). "Off the Air: The Light Goes Out for Don Imus". The New
York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/13/business/13imus.html.
31.
^ David Bauder (2007-04-12). "Racist
remarks cost Imus CBS radio job". Associated Press.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/12/msnbc_drops_imus_simulcast/.
Retrieved on April 12, 2007
32.
^ a b "Rutgers coach says Imus'
apology accepted". CNN. 2007-04-13.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/13/imus.rutgers/index.html.
Retrieved on April 13, 2007
33.
^ Mary Jane Credeur and Don Jeffrey
(2007-04-10). "Staples, P&G Halt Advertising Over Imus's Remarks
(Update3)". Bloomberg News.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a0rvIotudMc8&refer=home.
34.
^ Jon Hurdle (2007-04-13). "N.J.
Gov. Corzine in car accident, leg broken". Reuters.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/13/AR2007041300795.html.
Retrieved on April 13, 2007
35.
^ Adam Nichols and Corky Siemaszko
(2007-04-13). "Host meets with players he insulted, but it's not enough
to save program". New York Daily News.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/04/13/2007-04-13_youre_don_for_cbs_tells_imus-1.html.
Retrieved on April 13, 2007
36.
^ "John Kerry Says Don Imus
Shouldn't Have Been Fired". NY1 (tv channel). 2007-04-18.
37.
^ Sabato, Larry J. (1998). Jesse
Jackson's 'Hymietown' Remark – 1984. washingtonpost.com. Retrieved on
April 15, 2007.
38.
^ Hardball with Chris Matthews.
(April 13, 2007). Fallout of the Imus case msnbc.com. Retrieved on April
15, 2007
39.
^ "Imus ‘fight’ is over money,
fame". The Kansas City Star. 2007-04-15.
40.
^ Byers. R.K. (May 22, 2001) New
York Post Nasty as they wanna be: No holds barred for hip-hop radio duo
star and buc wild. Section: New YorkPulse; Page 41.
41.
^ Video: White woman explains to
black woman why “nappy headed” isn’t offensive hotair.com[1]
42.
^ "About People Against Censorship".
People Against Censorship. June 2007.
http://peopleagainstcensorship.org/pac/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=52.
Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
43.
^ Ed Payne (2007-05-03). "Imus hires
attorney, will likely sue CBS". CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/05/03/imus.cbs/index.html. Retrieved on
May 3, 2007
44.
^ a b Daniel Trotta (2007-08-14).
"CBS says settles with fired shock jock Don Imus". Reuters.
http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2007-08-14T170103Z_01_WEN0418_RTRIDST_0_ENTERTAINMENT-IMUS-CBS-COL.XML.
Retrieved on September 12, 2007
45.
^ "ABC News:Rutgers' Player sues
Imus, NBC, CBS". ABC News. August 2007.
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3479449&page=1. Retrieved on
2007-08-14.
46.
^ Associated Press (2007-09-12).
"Rutgers' Vaughn withdraws lawsuit against Imus, CBS". USA Today.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/womensbasketball/bigeast/2007-09-12-rutgers-imus-suit-withdrawn_N.htm.
Retrieved on September 12, 2007
47.
^ Josh Grossberg (2007-09-12).
"Rutgers Player Drops Imus Suit". E! Online.
http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=ce95e851-0d3b-4e3c-b59a-ca80288e62b6&sid=fd-news.
Retrieved on September 14, 2007
48.
^ "Imus Plots January Comeback", The
Drudge Report, July 8, 2007
49.
^ Not Done Yet, New York Post, July
16, 2007
50.
^ Peter Lauria (2007-07-27). "Talk
Show Settlement: Sources say Imus, CBS are Close to Contract buyout".
New York Post.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07272007/business/talk_show_settlement_business_peter_lauria.htm.
51.
^ "The Biggest News Talk Radio
Station in America Just Got Bigger". 77WABC. 2007-11-01.
http://www.wabcradio.com/Article.asp?id=504979&spid=.
52.
^ Jacques Steinberg (2007-11-14).
"Source: Rural channel will carry Imus show". The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/arts/television/14imus.html?ref=television.
53.
^ Neil Best (2007-10-09). "Source:
Imus back on air in early December". Newsday.
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-spimus1009,0,1049766.story.
54.
^ Interview with Al Sharpton, David
Shankbone, Wikinews, December 3, 2007.
55.
^ "The resurrection of Don Imus has
been almost as complete as his crash and burn": David Hinkley, "Year
after stirring racism storm & ranch exile, Don Imus back in saddle at
WABC," New York Daily News (April 6, 2008).
56.
^ "Democratic Sen. Dodd Enters
Presidential Race". The Washington Post. January 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/11/AR2007011100311.html.
Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
57.
^ "Rudy, McCain say they forgive and
support". New York Daily News. April 2007.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/04/11/2007-04-11_rudy_mccain_say_they_forgive_and_support-2.html.
Retrieved on 2007-04-11.
58.
^ "Don Imus makes a racist comment,
again". Americablog.com. June 2008.
http://www.americablog.com/2008/06/don-imus-makes-racist-comment-again.html.
Retrieved on 2008-06-23.
59.
^ Watkins, Calvin. Dallas Cowboys'
Adam Jones upset with Imus' comments. Dallas Morning News. 2008-06-24.
60.
^ a b c Gross, Samantha. Imus faces
new questions over on-air race remarks. The Washington Times.
2008-06-24]].
61.
^ Joseph Planta (2003-12-08). "Imus
vs. Stern". thecommentary.ca.
http://www.thecommentary.ca/archives/20031208.html.
62.
^ Maria Recio (2006-10-16). "Talk
show host Imus levels blasts at Texas congressman". McClatchy Washington
Bureau. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/maria_recio/story/14842.html.
Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
63.
^ Howie Carr (2007-04-12). "Imus’
demise no surprise". Boston Herald.
http://news.bostonherald.com/columnists/view.bg?articleid=194039.
64.
^ "Nanny Sues Imus Over Ranch
Wrangle". thesmokinggun.com. November 30, 2004.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1130041imus1.html. Retrieved on
2007-04-10.
65.
^ "Doctor Files Lawsuit Against Don
Imus". www.katv.com. July 11, 2005.
http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0705/242479.html. Retrieved on
2007-04-10.
66.
^ "Imus' speech to the Radio & TV
Correspondent's dinner transcript". imonthe.net.
http://imonthe.net/imus/ispeech.htm. Retrieved on 2006-09-28.
67.
^ John Hendren (2007-04-11). "Imus
Clout Prompts Political Support". ABC News.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3031440&page=1. Retrieved on
April 11, 2007
68.
^ David Carr (2007-04-09). "With
Imus, They Keep Coming Back". The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/business/media/09carr.html?bl&ex=1176436800&en=8d8812abb96e5775&ei=5087%0A.
Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
69.
^ Philip Nobile (July/August 2000).
"In the kingdom of Imus, the courtiers are quiet". Columbia Journalism
Review.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3613/is_200007/ai_n8921227.
Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
70.
^ Gwen Ifill (2007-04-10). "Trash
Talk Radio". The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/opinion/10ifill.html. Retrieved on
2007-04-12.
71.
^ NewsMax.com Staff (2007-04-10).
"Gwen Ifill: Imus Called Me 'Cleaning Lady'". NewsMax.com.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/4/10/120304.shtml. Retrieved on
2007-05-10.
72.
^ "Paying the Price". The New York
Times. 2007-04-12.
http://select.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/opinion/12herbert.html?hp.
Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
73.
^ YouTube - Howard Stern talks about
racist Imus
74.
^ Don Imus Is Anti Semitic And A
Racist
75.
^ Clinton Fein (2005-03-24). "Imus
and the Flies". annoy.com.
http://www.annoy.com/editorials/doc.html?DocumentID=100700.
76.
^ James Joyner (2005-05-01). "Don
Imus Berates Contessa Brewer". outside the beltway.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2005/05/don_imus_berates_contessa_brewer.
77.
^ "Imus Wants to Apologize to
Women's Basketball Team in Person". ABC News. 2007-04-09.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3022039&page=1. Retrieved on April
9, 2007.
78.
^ Steve Rendall (AMy/June 2005).
"The Mainstreaming of Anti-Semitism". FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy In
Reporting. http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2535. Retrieved on
2007-04-12.
79.
^ Some have been compiled at Philip
Nobile's "Imus Watch". See: "Imus Watch I". TomPaine.com. 2000-05-16.
http://tompaine.com/Archive/scontent/3067.html. Retrieved on
2007-04-12. Samples include:
80.
Imus: We're poised to support this
bogus tennis [team] thing of yours.
81.
McEnroe: That's hurtful. That's
hurtful.
82.
Imus: The new Hampton Homos or
whatever. [laughter]
83.
Imus: How about best actress?
84.
O'Brien: I think that's going to be
Annette Bening, although Hilary Swank, it's a very tight race. I know
you like Jane[t] McTeer, but I like Annette Bening or Hilary Swank.
85.
Imus: Hilary Swank's the lesbo in
Boys Don't Cry?
86.
O'Brien: She's getting married to
Chad Lowe.
87.
Imus: Beard deal. [laughter]
88.
O'Brien: What a nightmare.
89.
Imus: It sounds like another one of
these deals of his [i.e. Dietl's]. We'll hear about two weeks from now
the guy suddenly is a fagatation situation...
90.
Bo Dietl: You don't do that with
Russert. You listen to these fagaloons talking to you, 'O Donnie,
Donnie, Donnie.
91.
^ "Networks Condemn Remarks by
Imus". New York Times. 2007-04-07.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/07/arts/television/07imus.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin.
Retrieved on April 7, 2007.
92.
^ "The 25 greatest radio talk show
hosts of all time". Talkers Magazine. September 2002.
http://www.talkers.com/greatest/. Retrieved on 2006-09-27.
****
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