The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

09 April 2007

Imus, 'Nappy-Headed Hos', Suspension, CBS, MSNBC, Racist Comments

WHY IT'S OVER

Market Forces, Not Management, Will Determine Imus' Fate







Unless you live under a rock, you've by now heard about the two- week suspension handed to Don Imus and crew for his now- infamous comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

Where does the 66- year- old host go from that point, however? Here's where your Radio Equalizer believes the chips will fall:


Corporate advertisers will avoid Imus In The Morning like the bird flu, leaving MSNBC, CBS, Westwood One and affiliate stations with revenue shortfalls that will prove impossible to overcome. Remember, this wasn't an isolated incident: Imus has been getting away with murder for years, so it can't be passed off as a mere slip of the tongue.


While ratings might spike for a day or two upon his return, beyond that, they will continue the long, drawn- out decline that began many years ago on the radio side.


Faced with the I-Man's excessive baggage, nervous affiliates will likely turn to other programming options in order to prevent further damage to their stations.


With his longtime roster of elitist, high- society guests from politics and the entertainment business no longer likely to appear on his show, he'll be reduced to monologues and callers, where his skills are rather lacking.


Add all of this up and the writing is on the wall: Don Imus is a goner.

And, in this case, the actions of network corporate suits are ultimately irrelevant. That's because he will be done in by market forces, where it will be financially impossible for him to continue. This is one horse that's overdue for a visit to the glue factory.


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Imus photo: UPI

6 Comments:

  • The thing that has been so strange about this whole incident has been conservative reaction. Specifically, those who keep saying: "If Imus weren't a liberal..."

    Well, he's not. Nor is he a conservative. Anyone who's listened knows he's not particularly idealogical. Sure he doesn't like Bush, but neither do most Americans anymore. Yes he supported kerry, but only because kerry was a regular on his show. for that exact same reason he's supporting mccain this time around.

    This is a race issue, not a partisan one.

    By Blogger Justin, at 10 April, 2007 09:00  

  • Imus' comments were racist and sexist. He should be fired, not given what amounts to a two-week vacation. Sometimes I forget that "Talk Show Radio Host" and "Complete Jerk" are often synonymous.

    By Blogger Rhea, at 10 April, 2007 13:12  

  • I have commented in the past in defense of Don Imus, because he often gets worse treatment than he deserves.

    He's crass and cantankerous. Those of us who have listened to him for about 30 years get that, and that's why we tune in.

    He's no more a racist than he is anti-Christian or anti-Semetic, but don't take my word about it: ask Msgr. Thomas Hartman and Rabbi Marc Gelman, known as The God Squad, who have been frequent and recurring guests over the years.

    I find it strange so many - Revs. Jackason, Sharpton, et al - want blood from Imus over foolish and unfunny comments that were a failed attempt at humor, when those who make such demands have incidents of inflammatory racial comments said in hate.

    There is a big difference.

    By Blogger Charlie on the PA Turnpike, at 10 April, 2007 13:57  

  • charlie has one point

    why imus, who at least
    is TRYING to be funny

    what about beck, boortz,
    savage, and the like

    they say such things strictly
    for the purpose of hatemongering

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 10 April, 2007 15:58  

  • Obviously this firing is the result of the ultimate attack on WHITE MALE'S freedom of speech. He is WHITE, and he is a MALE. The racism is reversed against him simply do to the REALITY that BLACK and WOMAN America have engaged in high levels of WHITE and MALE bashing at every turn in the media and arts for as long as I have lived. I don't even watch TV anymore because I cannot stand the blame and hate for WHITE MEN for everything under the sun.

    Where is the VOICE for WHITE people and MALES in this RACIAL and SEXIST OUTCRY?

    EQUALITY, let it be for everyone, not just black people and women. I know that as a WHITE MALE and after the failures of Hillary and Barack to address the reverse discrimination in this country, I will NOT vote for them.

    PERIOD!

    Darin

    By Blogger IAmSpace, at 16 April, 2007 01:32  

  • Here's my say on the matter: In the Land of Crybabies.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 18 April, 2007 18:20  

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