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NBC, CBS PUT IMUS SIMULCAST ON TWO WEEK SUSPENSION: Plus, his apologies fell on deaf ears Monday.
*After Don Imus spent all day Monday apologizing for his racist comments regarding the Rutgers women’s basketball team, NBC and CBS radio announced they will suspend its broadcast of the syndicated Imus in the Morning radio program for two weeks beginning Monday, April 16.
"This comes after careful consideration in the days since his racist, abhorrent comments were made,” NBC said in a statement. “Don Imus has expressed profound regret and embarrassment and has made a commitment to listen to all of those who have raised legitimate expressions of outrage. In addition, his dedication - in his words - to change the discourse on his program moving forward, has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate. Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word.
NBC’s statement came late Monday following a day that included Rev. Jesse Jackson leading a picket line of about 50 protesters outside of NBC studios in Chicago, a visit to Rev. Al Sharpton’s radio show and a fresh dose of outrage from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP] and the National Organization for Women [NOW]. Both groups want Imus fired.
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Don Imus appearing on 'The Al Sharpton Show' Monday.
"As long as an audience is attracted to his bigotry and politicians and pundits tolerate his racism and chauvinism to promote themselves, Don Imus will continue to be a serial apologist for prejudice," said Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP board of directors. "It’s past time his employers took him off the air."
NOW president Kim Gandy released as statement Monday afternoon providing folks a list of people to pressure in efforts to “dump Don.”
“Take action by sending messages to General Manager Chuck Bortnick of radio station WFAN, which produces Imus' show; to Karen Mateo, Communications VP of CBS Radio which owns WFAN; and to MSNBC television which airs and promotes the show,” she wrote. “Your message to WFAN, CBS Radio and MSNBC? Tell them ‘You don't have to let Don Imus keep peddling racism and sexism on your airwaves. It's time to Dump Don!’"
Imus and his producer Bernard McGuirk made the offensive comments during a broadcast Wednesday. McGuirk called the Lady Scarlet Knights jigaboos, while Imus referred to them as “nappy headed hoes.”
Imus began his day-long mea culpa Monday at the crack of dawn. [See footage below.] In the midst of apologizing, he also took a chunk of time to remind listeners of his various humanitarian deeds, including his involvement with a working cattle ranch for children with cancer and blood disorders in New Mexico. Ten percent of the children who come to the ranch are black, he said.
"Here's what I've learned: that you can't make fun of everybody, because some people don't deserve it," Imus told his audience. "And because the climate on this program has been what it's been for 30 years doesn't mean it's going to be what it's been for the next five years or whatever."
After his show, Imus jumped from the frying pan into the fire as a guest on Al Sharpton’s nationally-syndicated radio show. Responding to Imus’ earlier comments, Sharpton said all of his good deeds don’t make up for what he said about the Rutgers women’s team.
“This is not about whether you’re a good man,” Sharpton said. “What you said was racist.”
"Our agenda is to be funny and sometimes we go too far. And this time we went way too far," Imus told Sharpton.
The Reverend wasn’t trying to hear it. Following back-and-forth exchanges during the broadcast, Imus said he can’t win with “you people.” The phrase didn’t sit well with Sharpton.
Further along, Sharpton said: “If you walk away from this unscathed ...” “How am I unscathed by this?” Imus interrupted. “Don’t you think I’m humiliated?”
At the end of the program, long after Imus had left, Sharpton said he will continue his efforts to get Imus fired for his remarks. He also announced addresses and Web sites that listeners can use to file a complaint with the FCC.
“If they can stop the country over Janet Jackson’s breast, then certainly they will take action against this kind of behavior,” Sharpton told his audience.
Additionally, the civil rights activist said his show will research all of the advertisers who buy airtime on “Imus in the Morning” and prepare to approach them about pulling sponsorship. He will also call on all presidential candidates to boycott the show.
“We can not show a two- or three-day anger and then go off to someone else,” Sharpton told his listeners. “I don’t’ think we can allow that to happen.”
The Rutgers women's basketball team is scheduled to hold a press conference today at 11 a.m. to address the comments made by Imus.
Don Imus Apologizes on his Radio Show Monday, April 10
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