Broadcasting legend Don Imus no longer has a platform. A day after MSNBC dumped him from television, CBS has fired him from the radio. Last week Imus called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos," and this week one of the most influential broadcasters in history is out of work.CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves released a statement saying,
"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.... Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society – all races, economic groups, men and women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, 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."
This morning, on what would turn out to be his last show, Imus raised nearly $1 million for charity in the first five hours of his annual radio fundraiser.
Although Imus no longer has a radio show, that certainly does not mean his career is over. His show was enormously popular, and he can attract enough listeners that some station will give him a second chance. The most likely venue for Imus is satellite radio, which is less reliant on advertisers and therefore less susceptible to boycotts.
Previously at FanHouse:
Snoop Dogg: Don't Compare Me to Don Imus
Stuart Scott Says Calling a Woman a Ho Is 'Affectionate'
Rutgers Women's Team Responds, Agrees to Meet Don Imus
Don Imus Apologizes Again, Al Sharpton Weighs In
Don Imus Rutgers Controversy Not Going Away
Don Imus Calls Rutgers Women's Team 'Nappy-Headed Hos'
Who's Worse, Don Imus or Billy Packer?
Romney Compares Gingrich To 'Goldilocks' For Debate Crowd Gripes
Obama Administration And Banks Near Deal On Mortgage Fraud Legal Liability
Gingrich: Rival Will 'Mislead, Distort And Deceive'
Brewer's Message To Obama Revealed
Defense Secretary: Pakistani Doctor Provided Key Information To U.S. In Advance Of Bin Laden Raid
The Bad Things That Can Happen When You Lose Your Job
Former Boston Mayor Dies At 82
Apple CEO Responds To Report Of Horrific Worker Conditions At Foxconn
Jon Stewart: Gingrich Wants To Be 'Lunar Trump'
Cruise Line Offers $14,460 Per Person For Concordia Cruise
Creative Destruction: At Davos, Google's Eric Schmidt Dismisses Jobs Crisis
Twitter's New Censorship Policy Ignites Global Outrage
Job Search CEO Weighing N.Y. Senate Bid Was Sued By Own Workers
Occupy DC To Weigh Options After No-Camping Warning
The 2012 Debate Hate: A Tribute
Florida Primary 2012: Live Updates
LISTEN: Newt Gingrich's Lesbian Half-Sister Sounds Off On 'Open Marriage,' Politics
The 2012 Speculatron Weekly Roundup For Jan. 27, 2012
Kidnapped U.S. Citizen Freed
Conservative Media Attack Newt Gingrich
WSJ: Facebook May File For IPO Within Days
Jan Brewer Sets Date For Special Election To Fill Gabrielle Giffords' Seat
Reports: 'Terrifying Massacre' In Syria's Homs
