Radio DJ and semi-professional scarecrow Don Imus has settled his lawsuit with CBS radio stemming from the time he broadcast an hour of him shrieking "white power" and punching a woman in the face, or something.
Just kidding, the whole world knows why Don Imus was fired from CBS radio – it was due to his offensive description of the Rutgers University female basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." However, following his dismissal Don Imus sued CBS for $40 million, citing the fact that CBS employed him to spew ill-judged racist misogyny like some kind of obnoxious fire hydrant. And now Don Imus and CBS have ended the lawsuit out of court in a settlement thought to be worth millions of dollars. So remember kids, if you ever want to become wildly wealthy at the drop of a hat, forget working hard – the best thing you can do is be overbearingly repugnant about a bunch of black women.
These days you have to be super careful about what you say to people or else the liberal mafia will put an end to your career. It's gotten so bad that you can't even offend an entire roomful of people by angrily screaming the word 'nigger' at black people during stand-up routines any more, let alone scream the word 'faggot' on the set of a mild-mannered hospital drama. And when things get so bad that a man can't get blasted on tequila and drive around recklessly before informing the police that Jewish people started every single war in the history of the world… well, it's political correctness gone mad, isn't it.
This is a situation that Don Imus knows only too well. Formerly best-known for being a Rod Hull lookalike with a giant hat and a history of drug abuse, Don Imus made the headlines earlier this year when he described the Rutgers University female basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" causing widespread offence in the black, female, baby and garden tool communities. After a lengthy debate that could have only been more dull with the inclusion of an intermission where everyone went off and counted dust particles, Don Imus was fired from his CBS radio show.
But that wasn't the end. Even though he's in possession of skin so leathery that he could have made a highly profitable second career upholstering office chairs with peelings from his scrotum, Don Imus decided to sue CBS for $40 million on the basis that he was only hired to spout off a procession of wilfully offensive insults to anyone he could think of. And now, as E! Online reports, the lawsuit between Don Imus and CBS has been settled:
The settlement short-circuits the $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit Don Imus has been threatening in the wake of his April firing for controversial racial and sexual remarks. The deal, announced in a joint statement from the network and Imus attorney Martin Garbus, also clears the way for Imus to plot a return to the airwaves with a new employer. "Don Imus and CBS Radio have mutually agreed to settle claims that each had against the other regarding the Imus radio program on CBS," the parites said. "The terms of the settlement are confidential and will not be disclosed."
Did you read that bit about Don Imus returning to radio? Did you? Well, he is – because a man with a stupid name has given an even stupider quote about it:
Longtime pal, singer and former Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman told industry trade Radio Ink that a return is in the offing for the host. "He's told me he's definitely coming back," Friedman said. "He's very much like Jesus. He's coming back, and boy is he PO'd."
So, all in all, being a funny-looking racist misogynist has done Don Imus proud. Not only has he probably scooped a multi-million-dollar payoff from CBS, but now everyone in the world knows who he is, which means that whichever radio station he decides to sign up with will get a nuclear-powered publicity boost. Plus a man with a funny name says he's like Jesus. So now Don Imus would be best off staying at home rubbing beeswax into his face and honing ideas for his new show, tentatively titled The Don Imus Hates Everyone That Isn't The Same As Him And Hopes They All Die Of Painful Illnesses Happy Fun Laugh Hour.
Read more:
Bill Lowery says
Sir, your comments are far more offensive than anything that Imus ever said. I support the right for you to be able to say what you like but I guess you are lucky you do not work for CBS. Oh wait, if you did you could sue for millions also.
Darin says
first i am a 39 year old white mail. i was not a big fan of Imus’s before this whole stupid thing . BUT I AM NOW. i am from the north east. in my life i have never heard the term ” NAPPY” ” NAPPY HEADED” to describe a black person. until the media brought it up. i am in the midwest now. and i asked people and 99% have never heard the term either . the only ones who have heard of it are people in the late 50’s and 60’s .
so you media people should stop causiing problems .
Steve says
Sounds like Stuart is the angry one who hates everyone to me!
Joe Herald says
What Imus does or does not do is… NOT NEWS. There are many important matters in the world that we all need to learn more about.
The career path of some radio personality is… I REPEAT…IS NOT NEWS!
Amity says
I’m not a fan of Don Imus, but what happend to our first ammendment rights?
Where’s our freedom of speech? If you don’t like what’s being said than turn your radio off, like I have.
We should all have the right to speak our minds, no matter how ignorant our views.
Amity
Jacksonville, Fl
Dr B says
Must be nice. I heard him a few times in passing while channel surfing, and thought he was the dullest DJ type I’ve ever heard in my life. Must be why he has to resort to deliberate offensiveness, cause otherwise he’d put you to sleep in minutes.
Kevin Coleman says
Let us not forget Jessie Jackson. Seems like every time a white person has bad judgement or says something that offends any black people, Jessie is
out there making money off of it. Cry me a river. I get offended on a daily basis. I am an American man. I get over it, Go on with life, and persue happiness.
Really, all I can say is Waaaaaaaaa. Cry Cry Cry
Jerry says
Your article about Imus’ settlement with CBS and probable return to the airwaves is witty and the humor does its “job” to highlight where political correctness gone awry is taking us. I do think it would be only
fair to point out that, while some might question whether Imus (or any entertainer, athlete, etc.) “should” make millions for what they do, Imus and his wife have at least made a serious commitment of their time,
energy, and dollars to charitable causes that do indeed make this world a better place. Getting back on the air will facilitate their continuing ability to do this, as well as bringing back something worth listening
to in the morning much more substantive than the “morning zoo” type of shows that could be replicated by recording locker room conversations in a junior high school.
Edward says
You the Author.
This quote applies to you. “These days you have to be super careful about what you say to people or else the liberal mafia will put an end to your career”. Political Correctness has gone to the point of stupidity.
Sorry YOU/ME/ANYONE does not have the RIGHT to NOT BE offended. If you do not like him do not listen. If you do not like Rush do not listen. If you do not like Tedd Kennedy do not listen. If you do not like Hillary Clinton do not listen. Get the point?
Ivan says
> i am from the north east. in my life i have never heard the term ” NAPPY” ” NAPPY HEADED” to describe a black person
Yeah, this is becuase the term wasn’t offensive until people decided it was all of the sudden offensive. Sharpton can try to rewrite history but fortunately we have the internet :
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nappy
As of 2005 wasn’t a big deal. How is it that dogfart has more entries if it is such a culturally significant term. Answer? It isn’t and never was.
I don’t like Imus. He should have probably been fired but not for this. It is a double standard and people who can’t see it are the real racists.
-I
Viking Lumberjack says
Jeez, Stuart – your parody has become so spectacularly magnificent that everyone seems to think you’re serious all the time. I’m surprised that no one has made a legitimate query as to where they could purchase a Don Imus ballsack skin office chair. I’m definitely not surprised though, at how few of the commenters could spell correctly.
mark says
What’s “offence” mean as in “…widespread offence”?
CREIGHDON says
AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WE HAVE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO BLAME FOR THE SAD STATE OF THINGS IN THE GOOD OLE USA,,IT IS OBVIOUS
EVERYONE KNEW ROVE PUT BOY GEORGE IN THE STATE OFFICE, YET THEY VOTED TO PUT BOY GEORGE IN THE US OFFICE, EVEN AFTER REALIZING
GORE HAD THE POPULAR VOTE,,, SO EACH AND EVERY SENATOR THAT VOTED TO INSTALL ROVE, AKA KNOWN AS BOY GEORGE, IN THE WHITE HOUSE
CAN TAKE THE BLAME,,,,, PONDERING,, IF O BAM BAM IS ELECTED PRESIDENT, WILL HE CHANGE THE NAME TO THE BLACK HOUSE??WILL OPRAH
BECOME SECRETARY OF SOMETHING,? CASIOUS CLAY COULD BE SECRETARY OF DEFENCE. JESSY JACKSON VICE PRESIDENT?? NAACP
THE PRESIDENTS ADVISORS? THAT DUDE THAT HAD A BUNCH OF BUCKS IN HIS FREEZER COULD BE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.VICK COULD BE
HEAD OF ANAMIL RIGHTS, THE STAFF OF THE MARTIN LUTHER HOSPITAL COULD BE THE HEAD OF MEDICARE,
Mark says
Sorry YOU/ME/ANYONE does not have the RIGHT to NOT BE offended. If you do not like him do not listen. If you do not like Rush do not listen. If you do not like Tedd Kennedy do not listen. If you do not like Hillary Clinton do not listen. Get the point?
Hey Edward, we can turn off Rush and Imus, but the other two idiots you mentioned are in our government pushing the liberal agenda. They are the ones who are not “listening”, they hold a goverment office and use it to force that crap down our throats. Imus says what he feels, and some people act “offended” so what, why dont you just go on welfare and cry about it.
Bob says
If a woman appears in public unkempt and tatooed, she should be held to account. Nappy-headed whore is a concise and apt description of such a woman. It is sheer insanity that people are forced to treat filthy women as if they were proper ladies. Our country would be much better off if more people stood up and raged against the collapse of modesty and viture among women. The fact that Imus was vilified only for stating an obvious fact shows how low we have descended into the abyss of immorality.
Big Ed says
Don Imus called a group of female college athletes ho’s. For all you people who don’t know, the term ho mean whore. A whore is a person who sells their body for money. The preface to ho was nappy-headed, I’m white but I’ve heard this term used a lot over the years and it always is applied to a black person.
Don Imus used the term nappy headed hos because these individuals were black and female. It’s important to remember that these were college students, not Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Their only crime was winning a basketball game and being black and female. Has anyone ever called a white male athlete a nappy headed ho? His comments were the very definition of racist and sexist.
The reason he was fired is that the company he works for and the companies who carry his broadcasts decided he was bad for business. It’s not a free speech issue, walk into your place of business and start calling the black ladies nappy headed ho’s and see how quick you find yourself on the sidewalk without a job. You can stand on the sidewalk screaming free speech all day but you’ll still be looking for a new job when you wake up in the morning.
That being said, I believe his law suit has some merit. He and his kind are paid to be controversial and provocative. The FCC rules are totally incomprehensible so the on-air personalities have to constantly walk a very fine, almost undefinable line between what is going to get ratings and what is going to get them fired. The companies they work for support them till Jesse Jackson walks in then they are discarded like yesterday’s hamburger wrappings. Don’s a racist and a pig but he’s been a racist and a pig for 40 years, this shouldn’t be news to anyone.
Not A Stuart says
Stuart… you are really out of touch, aren’t you? Imus following has grown since the firing. Have you ever really listened to him, Stern, or for that matter Tom Joyner?And Kinky freidman has a lot of fans in a lot of places. And with a name like Stuart Heritage (sounds like a period chair or something) I’d be the last person to say anyone has a weird name.
Tired says
Stewart Heritage, you are a tiresome white male ho sold out to political correctness. Someone once said, and I paraphrase, “I disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.” That idea is long gone in our country. Are we better for having lost freedom of speech? No. Boring.
Doug Anderson says
Don Imus is no different from Don Rickles in that he entertains by insulting others. He and his on-air team made fun of everything and everyone, including Don Imus, the Pope, Ted Kennedy, gays, most every religion, Southeners, all politicians, as well as people of color. In just about everyone’s opinion including his own, he crossed the line when he singled out the Rutgers players who could not defend themselves nor should they have had to. However, he showed great courage in meeting with the Rutgers team and apologizing even after he had been fired from CBS Radio. The players forgave him and did not demand that his career be terminated forever.
He’s paid a great price as his name will live on in infamy. Personally I support his return to radio and hopefully those people who object to his style of humor will tune into a different station. He’s extremely bright and well-read and is unrivaled as an interviewer of politicians and media celebrities. He has made many past personal mistakes concerning drugs and alcohol and has learned from those chapters if his life. I’m sure he has learned from his Rutgers reference as well.
Marie says
Let me start by saying that I am a female of mixed decent in my early twenties. I can say with all honesty, that I have had my fill of this entire situation and truly wonder where we are as a country when our MEDIA starts supporting censorship! Were the comments offensive? Yes. Obnoxious? Yes. But there was no crime committed here until a man was fired for saying something simply because other people’s feelings were hurt. Now, contrary to what ignorant people who have never heard the term ‘nappy’ may think, it IS an offensive adjective to african americans that dates back to slavery (I find it funny how some white people feel that because they’ve never heard the term before, it’s completely irrelevant. How arrogant!) Imus didn’t say ‘THE N Word.’ He said, ‘nappy.’ And while offensive, ‘nappy’ is not a slur. Nor is the word ‘ho.’ Therefore, unfortunately, what he said does fall under the protection of the first amendment. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson need to learn to pick their battles. They’ve cried ‘wolf’ far too many times. Oprah, who calls herself a journalist, should be ashamed for advocating media censorship. All of them need to stop appointing themselves as The Voice of Black America. The rest of the country, especially Black America, needs to just build a bridge and get over it. Someone’s son/daughter/husband/wife/brother/sister is going to die in Iraq today. This country has far bigger fish to fry…
Krystal says
If one more person brings up the issue of Freedom of Speech, I think I may literally cry. Anyone with a cursory–even a third-grade level–understanding of constitutional protections should know that this has nothing to do with the Freedom of Speech. And by “cursory understanding” I’m not talking about being able to quote line for line; I’m talking, “Yes, I’ve indeed heard of the constitution.” The whole effing point of the constitution and its amendments is to protect the citizens from the *government*.
So the government cannot infringe on free speech rights. Get how CBS is a private company and not, indeed, the government of the United States of America? Is that clear to everyone? It’s hilarious to me that its always the republicans that rush to the freedom of speech defense when private businesses make decisions that limit the half-witted and incendiary statements made by their employees, yet have no problem when the *actual* government limits our *actual* freedoms by, you know, spying on us and what not.
I guess what I’m saying is: If you’re this appalled by the loss of freedom here, then don’t work for CBS. Situation handled. You’re free to be a biggot outside the confines of their employment. Do you see how when the government limits freedoms, though, it’s a bigger deal because it affects all of us? Think about that next time you play fast and loose with “freedom of speech.”
Dytiscus says
Well said Krystal. After all, for those out there who think that Imus got a raw deal, remember that he Imus was an employee of CBS. As such he can be fired for doing, or saying something his bosses disagreed with. Or, if he no longer brought in the audience or jeopardized the comapny by doing (or saying) something offensive, he can be fired. What if someone called their boss an idiot? It could be their sincere belief that their boss is an idiot, and if they wanted to express that belief they should also be ready for the consequences, namely, getting fired.
Frankie says
Nappie is a term used by black folk to describe each other’s hair condition. It’s not derrogative. The term Ho of course refers to the ebonic contraction of whore to…ho. Another example of a word used by black folk. How did Imus uncover these euphamisms. I do not know. Prehaps he frequents Black communities. Most white folk don’t frequent those places. He’s doing us a favor in delineating words we would not ordinarilly hear.
I think he deserves credit.
You sir, appear to be a ranting fool, trying to say something but lacking conviction.
Try to remember, this is America where free speach is a fundametal right.
Bussing was a grand experiment whose subject matter was the youth of several American generations.
They were unwitting pawns in a failed experiment that has caused the decline in the proficiency of our youth and the decline of our cultural and moral values.
Horray for the Nappster.
Frank
Dermot. says
Racist and sexist remarks on the media are hardly new. Exactly what is the fuss all about? If we are to attack one author of such remarks lets be fair and attack all who practice this unseemly behavior. I am a little suspicious when you pick one offender over the others. Could it be Imus himself you have a problem with rather than his racist and sexist remarks. If you listen to Imus you know what you are getting. CBS knew that when they hired him and so do all who listen to him. Remember we all have a choice as to who we listen to. I have not seen any other media organization curtail similar remarks from others. The daily barrage of trash music makes Imus look like a saint. The music industry should be your next target if you are really sincere about your sensitivity to sexist and racial remarks.
I will wait and see.
IZZ37 says
I think important facts are sometime left out when certain issues are discussed. First of all I never listened to Don Imus’s show, but I would’ve liked to know whether he’d ever talked about the rutgers woman basketball team. If he never talked about them before then I can pose a hypothetical that could connect one believing the comment was racially motivated. The year in question was the most successful for the team since they’ve been led by a black female coach. They were receiving huge accolades for being wildly successful until this guy made this comment and diverted all the attention away from their success. Why would someone just pick them out of thin air to degrade?
As far as race baiting, why are black people who hear about something negative happening to another black person, and voice their displeasure always race baiters? It seems to me that 99.44% of the time the whole incident isn’t started by a black person but that’s always never discussed or noticed.
NB says
2 Big Ed:
It was made a big deal that Imus called them “nappy-headed hos”, but when you say “Don Imus called a group of female college athletes ho’s”, you (as well as most everyone) twist the matter. Thing is, he said “Nappy-headed hos” in response to his gues (don’t remember who was it) saying “Some hardcore hos”, referring to tattoos and all that. Now, no one went on to crucify THAT guy.
Hugo FIrst says
i happened upon this piece from the headlines of google news — i don’t frequent the site otherwise — but that said, this writer’s take on the whole Imus affair is a lot more entertaining and interesting than the Imus affair itself.
while i agree that Imus is a dick, a dork, what have you, i also think this lawsuit against him by one of the targets of his stupid on-air banter is quite silly and a complete waste of time that only benefits Imus in the long run. will the plaintant claim her hair is straight, and is a paragon of moral virtue? that Imus as besmirched her reputation? i guess by some stretch of the imagination Imus’ “slur” was about race, but more to the point he’s just captializing on stupidity and bad taste to make money — which besides the lawsuit is the next-best way to get rich in america.
yes, we are truly easily distracted from issues of real importance by the utterances of dunces. Imus is just the dunce with the tallest pointy hat, but his followers — fellow-travellers in idiocy — are legion.