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In 1979, he divorced his first wife, Harriett, and he married his second wife, [[Deirdre Imus|Deirdre Coleman]] on [[December 17]], [[1994]]. He has four daughters from his first marriage and one son, Frederick Wyatt ([[nickname]]d Wyatt, born [[July 3]], [[1998]]), from his current marriage. Both Don and Deirdre Imus are [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]]s.
In 1979, he divorced his first wife, Harriett, and he married his second wife, [[Deirdre Imus|Deirdre Coleman]] on [[December 17]], [[1994]]. He has four daughters from his first marriage and one son, Frederick Wyatt ([[nickname]]d Wyatt, born [[July 3]], [[1998]]), from his current marriage. Both Don and Deirdre Imus are [[Vegetarianism|vegetarian]]s.


In 1999, Imus and his wife founded the [[Imus Ranch]], a working cattle ranch near [[Ribera, New Mexico]], 50 miles southeast of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]]. (It is believed to be unusual for a vegetarian to run a cattle ranch.){{Fact|date=July 2007}} The Imus Ranch is a charitable organization for children with [[cancer]], as well as siblings of [[Sudden Infant Death Syndrome|SIDS]] victims. Between [[Memorial Day]] and [[Labor Day]] each year, the Imus family goes to the New Mexico ranch. Until the cancellation of his show on [[April 12]] [[2007]], Imus would broadcast from a studio there, while the rest of his cast broadcast from New York and New Jersey. In 2000, Imus suffered serious injuries after a fall from a [[horse]] at his ranch, and broadcast several shows from a hospital.
In 1999, Imus and his wife founded the [[Imus Ranch]], a working cattle ranch near [[Ribera, New Mexico]], 50 miles southeast of [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]]. The Imus Ranch is a charitable organization for children with [[cancer]], as well as siblings of [[Sudden Infant Death Syndrome|SIDS]] victims. Between [[Memorial Day]] and [[Labor Day]] each year, the Imus family goes to the New Mexico ranch. Until the cancellation of his show on [[April 12]] [[2007]], Imus would broadcast from a studio there, while the rest of his cast broadcast from New York and New Jersey. 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, one in [[Manhattan]], another in [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]], [[Connecticut]], and one in [[Ribera, New Mexico|Ribera]], [[New Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2/comments/donahue_and_thomas_put_westport_house_on_market_for_25_million/ | title=Donahue and Thomas put Westport house on market for $25 million| publisher=''Westport Now.com'' | date=[[2005-08-16]] | accessdate=2006-07-04}}</ref>
Imus maintains three residences, one in [[Manhattan]], another in [[Westport, Connecticut|Westport]], [[Connecticut]], and one in [[Ribera, New Mexico|Ribera]], [[New Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2/comments/donahue_and_thomas_put_westport_house_on_market_for_25_million/ | title=Donahue and Thomas put Westport house on market for $25 million| publisher=''Westport Now.com'' | date=[[2005-08-16]] | accessdate=2006-07-04}}</ref>

Revision as of 05:17, 19 August 2007

Template:Infobox actor television

John Donald "Don" Imus, Jr. (born July 23, 1940[1]) is an American humorist, philanthropist, writer, radio and television talk show host in the mold of a shock jock.[2] His "drive time" weekday morning radio show, Imus in the Morning was aired over WNBC and WFAN in New York from 1971 to 1977 (when he was fired) and again from 1979 until it was canceled on April 12 2007, in response to comments he made on air.[3] On 9 June, 2007, rumors surfaced that Imus would be returning to broadcast radio.[4]

Personal life

Don Imus was born in Riverside, California.[5] He served in the Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959. When interviewed in Vanity Fair,[citation needed] Imus stated that he dropped out of school while living in Prescott, Arizona, and joined the Marines, transferring from an artillery unit to play the bugle in the Drum and Bugle Corps. According to the interview, he received an honorable discharge, despite an incident when he and a friend stole the stars off a general's jeep and put them on their own vehicle. He subsequently worked as a miner, gas station attendant, railway brakeman and rock musician.

Imus had battled alcoholism during his early career in New York, but in 1987 finally pursued effective treatment. (As of 2006, he says that he has remained sober for 18 years and counting[6]). In 1988, with his cocaine and alcohol addictions now part of his self-publicity, 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, Harriett, and he married his second wife, Deirdre Coleman on December 17, 1994. He has four daughters 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 goes to the New Mexico ranch. Until the cancellation of his show on April 12 2007, Imus would broadcast from a studio there, while the rest of his cast broadcast from New York and New Jersey. 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, one in Manhattan, another in Westport, Connecticut, and one in Ribera, New Mexico.[7]

Early career

Imus began as a radio disc jockey on June 28, 1968 at radio station KUTY in Palmdale, California.[8] 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.[9] He stayed at the station until 1969[10] when he left for a job at KJOY, a small radio station in Stockton, California. He was later fired for saying "hell" on air.[11] 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.

Imus in the Morning

Main article: Imus in the Morning

After a stint at WGAR-AM in Cleveland, Ohio, Imus moved to New York City and WNBC in 1971, where he gained a reputation as a loose cannon who often favored crude 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 Chicken to Go, a primarily studio-created album centering on his satirical character, The Right Rev. Dr. Billy Sol Hargis) 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. In 1977, WNBC fired Imus for unprofessionalism and abusing cocaine and alcohol; he had missed one-hundred days of work in one year. [citation needed]

Imus then returned to work in Cleveland at WHK and cleaned up his act somewhat. 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 WNEW at the time.)

Imus was reinstated 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 Hargis, 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 Hargis, Imus touted on-air the merits of the "First Church of the Gooey Death and Discount House of Worship". Imus published the 1981 novel God's Other Son that further depicted Hargis's adventures. The novel was republished in 1994 and spent seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.[12] Other regular Imus characters included the supposed general manager "Geraldo Santana Banana", 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 the inaugural video jockey for the launch of the VH-1 cable network in 1985.

In 1988, WNBC-AM was sold to Emmis Broadcasting, and consequently, WNBC-AM permanently signed off the air and Emmis' WFAN-AM 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 is a friend and supporter of Opie and Anthony, also bitter rivals of Howard Stern, and it may even be fair to say that each show's biggest supporter is the other. He occasionally wore an Opie and Anthony XM Radio T-shirt during MSNBC broadcasts.

In support of a what was originally a "stealth" publicity campaign, later acknowledged to be funded by XM Radio in support of the Opie and Anthony Show, Imus drew fire for quoting a billboard along Sunset Boulevard that stated "the average whore a gay Jew." The stunt enticed listeners to the show and produced a major bump in XM subscriptions during its brief 2 week tenure. Imus is generally credited - inadvertently or not - with drawing attention to the stunt.[citation needed]

Imus’ behavior has often drawn the attention of the press. He famously called Rush Limbaugh "a fat, pill-popping loser" and Lesley Stahl a "gutless, lying weasel." His exchange of insults ("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 also had great difficulty in simulcasting live TV news coverage when requested by Imus.

Imus helped raise over $6 million toward Center for the Intrepid, a Texas rehabilitation facility for soldiers wounded in the war in Iraq. 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' rants 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.

The remarks which led to cancellation of show

On April 4, 2007, Imus's executive producer Bernard McGuirk referred on-air to the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's and he agreed "[13][14][15] during a discussion about the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.[16] At 6:00 p.m. that evening, Media Matters for America became the first news outlet to report the remarks, transcribing:

IMUS: That's some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos and --

McGUIRK: Some hard-core hos.

IMUS: That's some nappy-headed hos there. I'm gonna tell you that now, man, that's some -- woo. 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.

Look up nappy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

The audio for the Imus incident can be found here, on YouTube.

There were African-American players on both the Rutgers and Tennessee teams. Imus initially dismissed the incident as "some idiot comment meant to be amusing".[17][18][19]

Two days later, amid mounting calls for his firing, Imus 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 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."[20]

File:Timeimus.JPG
Imus's incident sparked a national debate on race relations[21]

It was then announced that Imus would be suspended. Media commentators were divided on the suspension: on MSNBC's Scarborough Country on April 10,[22] 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, a longtime friend of Imus's, 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.[citation needed]

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.[23][24]

African American Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, at one time a frequent guest, once had confronted Imus about his language and got Imus to take a pledge not to engage in further racially-charged humor. 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."[25] 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."[26]

On April 11, 2007, NBC News announced that MSNBC would no longer simulcast Imus in the Morning, effective immediately. While the decision came on the same day that several advertisers deserted Imus, the network also said employee concerns played a role. Several of NBC's high-profile African-American personalities, including Al Roker, opposed Imus' return.

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."[27]

The next day, CBS Radio canceled Imus in the Morning, effective immediately[28]. 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."[29][30]

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.[31]

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."[32]

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, PetMed Express, American Express and Procter & Gamble.[33] One other advertiser, Bigelow Tea, expressed uncertainty at renewing their ads with Imus' show. [34]

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.[35] 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. [33][36]

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." [37]

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" [38]) and Sharpton for "ratcheting up the rhetoric" and holding Imus to a “higher standard” than they would have themselves judged.[39]. 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 Rutger's basketball team but to "cause division for profit."[40] However, Williams and Whitlock both called Imus' statement offensive.

Imus was not the first radio personality to utter such a phrase on the air; Troi Torain (aka Star) used similar language in 2001 [41] and was subsequently fired.

Long time friends and supporters of Imus, Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia of the popular Opie and Anthony Show, were the most 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 lawsuit against CBS for the $40,000,000 remaining on his contract, based in part on his contract with CBS that called for "controversial" programming.[43] The lawsuit has since been raised to $120,000,000 to include the contract and damages.

On August 14, 2007, Rutgers' women's basketball player Kia Vaughn, one of the players involved in the controversy, filed suit against Don Imus, NBC Universal, CBS Corp., MSNBC, CBS Radio, Viacom, Westwood One radio, and former sidekick Bernard McGuirk, citing slander, libel, and defamation of character. Vaughn is the first player to pursue legal damages brought on by the controversy, although the amount she is seeking is undetermined.[44]

Possible return

During a June 29, 2007 broadcast, comments were made by WFAN host Mike Francesa and Charles McCord, which seemed to indicate that Imus would be returning to the air in the near future – possibly rejoining WFAN. The comments were made during a 20th anniversary celebration of WFAN, as part of a broadcast meant to honor Imus's contribution to the station. McCord noted that the broadcast seemed to reflect on Imus through a rear-view mirror. Then he quipped, "Be warned: Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear." Francesa then cryptically added that by, "this September, I hope the team will once again be complete."[45][46]

On July 8, 2007, the Drudge Report indicated that Imus would return to the air before the 2008 presidential election.[47] In July 2007, Bo Dietl - a close friend and regular guest of Imus - told an Albany radio show that the most likely time for Imus to return would be in September 2007. 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.[48] The same paper reported on July 27 that CBS was close to a buyout of Imus's contract. The report also said Imus had contacted Buckley, Citadel, and Clear Channel.[49]

On August 14, 2007, it was announced that Don Imus has reached a settlement with CBS Radio over his contract and is currently negotiating with WABC (AM) radio.[50]

Other controversies

Acts of racism, misogyny, and homophobia (Note: Imus is not a racist. He's just a funny comedian. Al Sharpton is an idiot.

Imus and his crew, mainly Bernard McGuirk, have repeatedly displayed acts of racism, misogyny, homophobia and anti-semitism in their on-air comments. Some examples include:

  • Imus and his cohosts referred to African-American sports columnist Bill Rhoden as a "New York Times quota hire"[51].
  • In 1993, Imus referred to PBS anchor Gwen Ifill (then with the New York Times) as a "cleaning lady."[52][53][54]
  • As reported by New York Times columnist Bob Herbert,[55] in the course of a 1998 interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes, Imus admitted telling a producer off-camera that McGuirk was hired to perform "nigger jokes."
  • Imus has also repeatedly referred to Arabs as "ragheads."[56]
  • 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 beautiful woman]. Imus said on the air, "That skank has to spend three hours with makeup in the morning." The tirade was also tied to comments that were overheard of Contessa's calling Imus "a cantankerous old fool" at a dinner in a restaurant in 2005, when she was still a newsreader.[57] During Imus' show a producer also made fun of poet Maya Angelou.[58]
  • On his 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".[59]
  • Imus' routines were full of derogatory epithets for homosexuals, including "faggot" or "lesbo" and various terms for gay sex. [60]

Howard Stern

Due in part to Howard Stern's historically combative relationship with WNBC, Stern has regularly criticized Imus. He takes special offense to the developments in Imus's career that mimicked Stern's earlier moves; i.e., playing less music, creating a staff of adversarial characters that discuss their real lives, expanding the audience via syndication, and bringing TV cameras into the radio studio. Whether or not Imus's moves were influenced by Stern, there is no doubt that his WNBC show and style of comedy changed after Stern's arrival in New York. No reconciliation has occurred, with the two engaging in an ugly name-calling exchange in late 2003.[62]

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.[63]

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.[64]

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[65] 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 (expletive) doctor who doesn't mind letting a child suffer".[66]

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>[67]

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."[68]

Robert Frank

Imus threatened Wall Street Journal reporter Robert Frank after he wrote an article that raised questions about New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's tax inquiry into the Imus Ranch in New Mexico. [69]

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 greatest radio talk show hosts of all time.[70]

Miscellaneous

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.[71] Less than three months later, Dodd would publicly chastise Imus during the Rutgers controversy. Dodd is one of many polticians that, before the controversy, frequented Imus' show due to the many demographic groups he reached, only to turn around and attack him once the controversy happened. However, '08 Rebublican candidates Rudy Guiliani and John McCain have both publicly stated they support Imus and would appear on his show again if given the opportunity. Democratic candidates Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have both voiced their distaste for Imus' remarks, and both publicly agreed with his firing.[72]

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

Wikiquote has quotations related to Don Imus.

References and notes

  1. ^ Celebrity Birthdays Associated Press
  2. ^ Fox News
  3. ^ CBS fires Don Imus from radio show yahoo.com[dead link]
  4. ^ http://drudgereport.com/flash2ii.htm
  5. ^ "Don Imus Biography". Biography Channel. 2007-04-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "Don Imus still sober after 18 years". Associated Press. 2007-04-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ "Donahue and Thomas put Westport house on market for $25 million". Westport Now.com. 2005-08-16. Retrieved 2006-07-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ http://imonthe.net/imus/nfaq.htm#3 IMONTHE.Net
  9. ^ Late Night with Davis Letterman; Episode #118; February 24, 1994; Note: He had previously attended broadcasting school in LA
  10. ^ IMONTHE.Net
  11. ^ "Controversy has often dogged Don Imus". msnbc.com. 04-11-2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "The York Times Best Seller List-January 8, 1995" (PDF). www.hawes.com. 2007-04-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Deepti Hajela (2007-04-12). "Don Imus' 'nappy' remark has long, hurtful history in describing African-American hair". Associated Press.
  14. ^ Brenda Payton (2007-04-12). "Imus' remarks demean women of all colors". Inside Bay Area (ANG Newspapers). {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdat= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Daniel Trotta (2007-04-12). "Furor over Imus puts heat on other broadcasters". Reuters. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  16. ^ "Imus called women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos"". mediamatters.org. 2007-04-04. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  17. ^ "Networks Condemn Remarks by Imus". The New York Times. 2007-04-07. Retrieved 2007-04-08.
  18. ^ McShane, Larry (2007-04-07). "Despite apology, critics want Imus out". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2007-04-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Hill, Jemele (2007-04-06). "Imus should be fired". ESPN.com: Page 2. Retrieved 2007-04-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Imus takes his lumps on Sharpton's show". Associated Press. April 9, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "The Imus Fallout: Who Can Say What?". Time. April 12, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Transcript of Scarborough Country 10 April 2007". MSNBC. 2007-04-10.
  23. ^ "Rutgers team to meet with Imus; Stringer calls comments 'deplorable'". The Herald Standard,PA. 2007-04-11.
  24. ^ David Heuschkel (2007-04-11). "Imus' remark Despicable". The Hartford Courant.
  25. ^ Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune on PBS' NewsHour April 9,007
  26. ^ "MSNBC pulls 'Imus in the Morning'". CNN. April 11, 2007. Retrieved on April 11, 2007
  27. ^ "NBC News: 'Only decision we could reach'". MSNBC. April 11, 2007. Retrieved on April 11, 2007
  28. ^ MSNBC Breaking News - Don Imus Fired From CBS Radio (From YouTube)
  29. ^ "Newly fired Imus meets with Rutgers players". CNN. April 13, 2007. Retrieved on April 13, 2007
  30. ^ "CBS fires Don Imus from radio show". Associated Press. April 13, 2007. Retrieved on April 13, 2007
  31. ^ Bill Carter and Jacques Steinberg (2007-04-13). "Off the Air: The Light Goes Out for Don Imus". The New York Times.
  32. ^ David Bauder (April 12, 2007). "Racist remarks cost Imus CBS radio job". Associated Press. Retrieved on April 12, 2007
  33. ^ a b "Rutgers coach says Imus' apology accepted". CNN. April 13, 2007. Retrieved on April 13, 2007
  34. ^ Mary Jane Credeur and Don Jeffrey (2007-04-10). "Staples, P&G Halt Advertising Over Imus's Remarks (Update3)". Bloomberg News.
  35. ^ Jon Hurdle (April 13, 2007). "N.J. Gov. Corzine in car accident, leg broken". Reuters. Retrieved on April 13, 2007
  36. ^ Adam Nichols and Corky Siemaszko (April 13, 2007). "Host meets with players he insulted, but it's not enough to save program". New York Daily News. Retrieved on April 13, 2007
  37. ^ "John Kerry Says Don Imus Shouldn't Have Been Fired". NY1 (tv channel). April 18, 2007.
  38. ^ Sabato, Larry J. (1998). Jesse Jackson's 'Hymietown' Remark – 1984. washingtonpost.com. Retrieved on April 15, 2007.
  39. ^ Hardball with Chris Mathews. (April 13, 2007). Fallout of the Imus case msnbc.com. Retrieved on April 15, 2007
  40. ^ "Imus 'fight' is over money, fame". Kansas City Star. April 15, 2007. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ "About People Against Censorship". People Against Censorship. June 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ Ed Payne (May 3, 2007). "Imus hires attorney, will likely sue CBS". CNN. Retrieved on May 3, 2007
  44. ^ "ABC News:Rutgers' Player sues Imus, NBC, CBS". ABC News. August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  45. ^ Don Kaplan (2007-07-02). "Talking up Imus: radio signals of a WFAN comeback". New York Post. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  46. ^ Mike Boyle (2007-07-02). "Is Imus returning?". Radio & Records. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ "Imus Plots January Comeback", The Drudge Report, July 8, 2007
  48. ^ Not Done Yet, New York Post, July 16, 2007
  49. ^ Peter Lauria (2007-07-27). "Talk Show Settlement: Sources say Imus, CBS are Close to Contract buyout". New York Post. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); line feed character in |title= at position 22 (help)
  50. ^ "Imus settles with CBS, negotiating with WABC", Newsday.com, August 14, 2007
  51. ^ David Carr (2007-04-09). "With Imus, They Keep Coming Back". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  52. ^ Philip Nobile (July/August 2000). "In the kingdom of Imus, the courtiers are quiet". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2007-04-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ Gwen Ifill (2007-04-10). "Trash Talk Radio". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  54. ^ NewsMax.com Staff (2007-04-10). "Gwen Ifill: Imus Called Me 'Cleaning Lady'". NewsMax.com. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  55. ^ "Paying the Price". The New York Times. 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  56. ^ Clinton Fein (2005-03-24). "Imus and the Flies". annoy.com. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  57. ^ James Joyner (2005-05-01). "Don Imus Berates Contessa Brewer". outside the beltway. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  58. ^ "Imus Wants to Apologize to Women's Basketball Team in Person". ABC News. April 9, 2007. Retrieved on April 9, 2007
  59. ^ Steve Rendall (AMy/June 2005). "The Mainstreaming of Anti-Semitism". FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting. Retrieved 2007-04-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  60. ^ Some have been compiled at Philip Nobile's "Imus Watch". See: "Imus Watch I". TomPaine.com. 2000-05-16. Retrieved 2007-04-12. Samples include:
    Imus: We're poised to support this bogus tennis [team] thing of yours.
    McEnroe: That's hurtful. That's hurtful.
    Imus: The new Hampton Homos or whatever. [laughter]
    Imus: How about best actress?
    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.
    Imus: Hilary Swank's the lesbo in Boys Don't Cry?
    O'Brien: She's getting married to Chad Lowe.
    Imus: Beard deal. [laughter]
    O'Brien: What a nightmare.
    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...
    Bo Dietl: You don't do that with Russert. You listen to these fagaloons talking to you, 'O Donnie, Donnie, Donnie.
  61. ^ "Networks Condemn Remarks by Imus". New York Times. April 7, 2007. Retrieved on April 7, 2007
  62. ^ Joseph Planta (2003-12-08). "Imus vs. Stern". thecommentary.ca. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  63. ^ Maria Recio (2006-10-16). "Talk show host Imus levels blasts at Texas congressman". McClatchy Washington Bureau. Retrieved 2007-07-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ Howie Carr (2007-04-12). "Imus' demise no surprise". Boston Herald.
  65. ^ "Nanny Sues Imus Over Ranch Wrangle". thesmokinggun.com. November 30 2004. Retrieved 2007-4-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  66. ^ "Doctor Files Lawsuit Against Don Imus". www.katv.com. July 11 2005. Retrieved 2007-4-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  67. ^ "Imus' speech to the Radio & TV Correspondent's dinner transcript". imonthe.net. Retrieved 2006-09-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  68. ^ John Hendren (April 11, 2007). "Imus Clout Prompts Political Support". ABC News. Retrieved on April 11, 2007
  69. ^ Brian Maloney (2007-04-10). "MINUS IMUS". The Radio Equalizer. Retrieved 2006-08-14.
  70. ^ "The 25 greatest radio talk show hosts of all time". Talkers Magazine. September 2002. Retrieved 2006-09-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  71. ^ "Democratic Sen. Dodd Enters Presidential Race". The Washington Post. January 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  72. ^ "Rudy, McCain say they forgive and support". New York Daily News. April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)


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