Shock Jock Don Imus Returns to Airwaves
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| Nov 1 By LARRY McSHANE Associated Press Writer |
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NEW YORK (AP) – Don Imus will return to the airwaves Dec. 3 on New York’s WABC-AM, only nine months after the cantankerous shock jock’s career seemed doomed over his racist, sexist remark about a women’s college basketball team.
Citadel Broadcasting Corp. made the announcement Thursday, confirming long-rumored reports that Imus was returning to morning drive time in the same city where he was banished in April.
“We are ecstatic to bring Don Imus back to morning radio,” said 77 WABC President and General Manager Steve Borneman. “Don’s unique brand of humor, knowledge of the issues and ability to attract big-name guests is unparalleled. He is rested, fired up and ready to do great radio.”
Imus will return with his longtime newsman, Charles McCord, and other members of his morning team, Citadel said in announcing the move. It did not specifically mention Bernard McGuirk, the producer who was fired along with Imus.
Imus will replace the morning team of Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby on the Citadel Broadcasting-owned station.
The acid-tongued broadcasting icon was fired in April after he called the Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air, sparking a national furor and calls by civil rights leaders and broadcast journalists to resign.
But just three months later, Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the strongest voices calling for the shock jock’s firing, said Imus had a right to make a living and could return to radio.
Citadel Broadcasting CEO Farid Suleman also recently defended Imus, telling The New York Times in a recent interview: “He didn’t break the law. He’s more than paid the price for what he did.”
But prospects of Imus’ return, anticipated for months, have outraged critics including the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Organization for Women, who said the idea of him coming back to the airwaves months after he was fired is nearly as insulting as the comments that drove him off the air.
The radio industry has eagerly awaited his return and the ratings he brought on his WFAN-AM morning show program, which had also been simulcast on the MSNBC cable channel.
Suleman’s WABC-AM is already home to several syndicated hosts: Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.
Imus’ national presence would trump the local Arbitron ratings, where his WFAN-AM show consistently drew fewer listeners than Sliwa and Kuby.
::Tullycast:: 
Welcome back to the IMAN. I hope you rip everyone of those little goody two shoes over there at MSNBC and NBC. Please start with the worst person in the world everyday Keith (Im so perfect) Olbermann with a follow up of There never has been anything going on in his neck of the woods Al(The Joker) Roker. And oh yes I want to thank Al(Sharptounge) Sharpton for giving the IMAN a $20 million dollar parting gift from CBS and a new job. Big Al you da man!!!!!!!!! But your not even on the same planet with the IMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To whom it may concern, I am extremely pleased that you are bringing back John Donald Imus & his crew hopefully. As a thirty five year listener to the show I can vouch for him that he is the furthest thing from a racist i’ve ever seen. In all this time none of the black leaders have ever mentioned the amount of time he spent raising funds for starving black people in a foreign land back in the mid 80s. Would someone get back to me & let me know what station i can receive the show here in greensboro n.c. It’s good to see someone has the back bone to stand up for such a good & wonderful man. Thank You Richard Rogan
Will I be able to hear your station in Lake Wales Florida? Also, will he be on XM radio on Direct TV.
I have cable in Florida, and Direct TV in Indiana.
Thank you.
WABC must be sick to drop a winning team like Curtis and Kuby for the likes of Imus. Put Imus on late night when the snake oil salesmen are on.
I have been waiting for the day Don Imus would
be back on the air. He is so not a racist. I can’t wait until December 3rd. I live in Pittsburgh, PA and would like to know if there are any stations in the Pittsburgh area where I can hear the wonderful Imus and Chuck and everyone connected to Don. Thank you.
I live in Titusville Fla, 40 miles, east of Orlando–where can I get Imus?–I do not have a “dish”–just bright house cable, but what radio station can I hear him.–He made my mornings, worthwhile. Thanks, Ginny
I want to know if they are going to simulcast Don Imus on Television here in San Diego. I watched Don Imus daily on MSNBC and would love to resume watching him again. Would you please tell me when and if that will happen here in the San Diego area.
My cable company is Time Warner if that helps.
BTW, I have been watching Don Imus for years. He was nor is a Racist. I am looking forward to hearing Don again.
Hi – trying to find IMUS on AM stations – will he be on any station picked up in Reading, PA., and/or Williamsport, PA., area?
Really have missed him – he was the best reason to get up early every day!
Will he soon be back on cable TV? Looking forward to that day and hope it will be soon!!
Hi – wonderful that IMUS is back!
Are there any local AM stations in Reading, PA., and/or Williamsport, PA area that will be broadcasting his show….have been trying to get him on the air today – no luck.
Hopefully, we will (VERY) soon be seeing him on TV – that was the best reason to get up early every day, just to hear his show.
Thanks for the info.
Hi – I am an avid fan of Don Imus and I would like to
know when and where we will be able to hear/see him in the Indianapolis area.
Thank you
Just tune in to WABC AM New York
Here’s the link: http://www.wabcradio.com/article.asp?id=122648
and stream it on your innertube.
IS IMUS ON THE RADIO ON ANY STATION IN THE GREENSBORO, NC AREA? I HAVE REALLY MISSED HIM.
i am glad the iman is back
I love Imus. He had some great guests. I loved their whole gang. Hope to hear them soon in the Ocala area.
I live in Adrian Mi. are there any radio stations or television stations in my area that carry the Don Imus show. If so please let me know.
I listened/watched the Imus show every morning while getting ready to go to work (first grade teacher). I would like to know if and when it will be on tv again.
In my opinion, Imus is clever, funny, entertaining…not a racist.