Two Shoes Drop: Don Imus Suspended by NBC News and CBS Radio for Two Weeks

His show is televised on MSNBC and syyndicated on radio by CBS, so this means Imus just got a two week, involuntary vacation. And NBC makes it plain in their statement that they will not tolerate future instances of racially insensitive broadcasting.

Here's NBC's statement:

Beginning Monday, April 16, MSNBC will suspend simulcasting the syndicated "Imus in the Morning" radio program for two weeks. This comes after careful consideration in the days since his racist, abhorrent comments were made. 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.

The previously scheduled Imus radiothon in support of the Tomorrow's Children's Fund, the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome research and the Imus Ranch will air, as scheduled, this Thursday and Friday on MSNBC.

CBS STATEMENT ON DON IMUS

Due to the events of the past week, CBS Radio will suspend Don Imus and the broadcast of his show for a period of two weeks, effective Monday, April 16.  The program will continue to broadcast this week due to WFAN’s previously scheduled on-air charity fundraiser on Thursday, April 12 and Friday, April 13.

Comments

[Claudia Gualtieri]

I am a white senior and am appalled by Imus' comments about the Rutgers basketball players. Get that dinasaur off the air. He is disgusting in appearance and what comes out of his mouth.

[Jim S]

This is so ridiculous!Nobody would care if they were the lyrics to a Rap song.This just shows how overly sensitive EVERYONE(not just african-americans) have become.GET OVER IT!!!

[Rose Colombo]

I mus remember to send my resume so I can fill in while I mus is suspended. I know that I mus never make racists comments on the air. Rule #1, I believe.

[michael]

im sick of hearing about this.......i cant belive imus groveled before that jack*** sharpton!!! id like to see him stand up like a man!! say you made a mistake and move on...if THEY dont like it.....tough s***

[Paul]

I find it very disingenous by certain individuals to attack Imus for saying the same things that can be heard on BET TV any day, every day, at any time. We have become such a politically correct society but ONLY when it applies in one direction. Al (I refuse to call him Rev. Al) and other African-American "spokesmen" can insult white Americans or Chinese Americans (or whomever) without reproach by the same media that now castigates Imus. I used to listen to him but the show's humor got the best of me. But I did what anyone else can do and I turned him off. Howard Stern's comments are far worse yet he is praised for his "uniqueness". Where is the fairness in all of this ???

[barbara]

Imus' most recent comment was indeed racist but more often than not his knuckle-dragging producer mcquirk starts these things as he did this time. In addition I find mcquirk to be consistently misogynistic, constantly making ugly ad hominum attacks on ALL women from the Dixie Chicks to Hillary Clinton to Elizabeth Edwards or Nancy Pelosi. All women are fat or skanks or sluts or ho's according to Bernie. So maybe he should get the boot and Imus should have to buy seasons tickets for and attend Rutgers Womens Games next season with Wyatt, his son. The real problem is that we've let hiphop culture seep into the everyday so that "ho's" and "bitches" are the normal way of referring to young women. All men, Black and White, need to treat women with respect and kindness in music, in books, on radio and TV and especially in person.

[Oscar]

Rev AL and Jesse Jackson have a place in the debate, but they are not the arbitrators of who is right and who is wrong.

I wish there where new people the media would go to to talk about issues like these. Micheal Wilbon, Armstrong Williams and Eric Deggans need to be called on to add a fresh perspective.

I can quote Al's speech before he even says it, let someone different have a take.

Imus got his suspension and lets move on.

[Mike]

I heard Glen Beck asked Al Sharpton if "he could, just once, do something for a white person?" Classic. You know, I'm extremely tired of this. I'm not an Imus fan, but Christ, if it was the other way around nothing would have happened. MSNBC and CBS are a bunch of pussies.

[DPG]

Out of curiosity, when was the last time a black celebrity was accused of racist comments toward a white constituency?

Can a causcasian be offended by the actions and attitudes of blacks toward whites without facing an onslaught of criticism?

And who decides how to legislate morality for everyone?