Don Imus Racist or Genius ?
Getting away from religion and women .. What d you think of this ?
Don Imus said Tuesday morning on his radio show that he was trying to "make a sarcastic point" with his latest on-air remarks about race, but that they had been misunderstood.
On Tuesday he said he was following the spirit of that promise by calling attention to the unfair treatment of blacks -- in this case the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones.
"What people should be outraged about is that they arrest blacks for no reason," Imus said Tuesday.
"I mean, there's no reason to arrest this kid six times. Maybe he did something once, but everyone does something once."
He called the flurry of criticism surrounding the comments "ridiculous" and said that his program's cast is now more diverse than ever -- and includes a black producer and two black co-hosts, a man and a woman.
"How insane would I have to be? What would I be thinking?" Imus wondered aloud.
The latest comments by Imus to come under scrutiny were aired on Monday's broadcast. During a conversation about Jones' run-ins with the law, Imus asked, "What color is he?" Sports announcer Warner Wolf said Jones -- formerly known as Pacman -- is "African-American." Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."
The on-air exchange came months after Imus' return to work on a new show on WABC-AM following his firing from MSNBC and CBS Radio for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."
Co-host Karith Foster, who is black, came to Imus' defense during Tuesday's broadcast, saying, "People who interpret what you said as racist clearly didn't hear the whole thing, and they don't know who you are and what the program is about -- and they obviously haven't been listening."
I agree, but seriously, do you really believe that such human beigns exist or are they just "acting" for the show and the money ?
I don't know.. I consider myself a new junkie.. Larry King, I find to be too soft and wishy washy..He doesn't seem to ask "piercing" questions.. Maybe I just don't like is looks..
I use to like Orah, but she lately seems to be more focused on the "oprah" brand and being seen asa "do gooder"..
Can't stand Springer.. I am surprised that such "humans" actually exist..
Lols! I think I've seen less than 6 shows of Mr. Springer's (although it does have its entertainment value, Judge Judy, etc. is better for that) but thanks for sticking up for me :D. I hardly heard of Mr. Imus before the controversy, but I would venture a guess at the 40+ white male crowd.
Larry King. . .hard to pinpoint, I just don't get a 'warm fuzzy feeling' when watching his show. But I don't do the View, Oprah, Dr. Phil, etc. either. I've been getting lazier, I mostly read the wires. Though I do like the format of BBC World and Al Jazeera English. It's hard for me to even watch FOX or CNN. I still like PBS, NPR and IPR. So much news is canned, spun and not followed up on.
Southland and Britexpat...how come there's no love for Larry King?
Britexpat...Definitely! You have people who enjoy race-bashing, you have people like Southland who enjoy watching people make fools of themselves on Jerry Springer ;-) (Southland nothing to be ashamed of, I do too!), you have people who actually enjoy (SHOCK HORROR) matters concerning politics, current events etc...and the talk show hosts of all these different genres still have the task of entertaining us folk who are easily bored by sensationalising their shows. I think every talk show has to do something to keep us tuning into them and keep their T.V slot. I dont know Southland would I be incorrect in saying Don probably caters primarily to white American men (25 to 40?)
P.S. I agree, Tim Russert was one of the greats.
So that makes you a bigger news junkie than me. I find it hard enough to keep up on news inside the US. I'll say it again, "Dang!" ;)
britexpat - Yeah, I don't watch Larry King either.
I read it within the context of his show as African American males being unfairly targeted by the police force.
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Iagree with you 100%, though I personaly just don't rate Larry king..
Having said that, would you agree that Inmus is catering for a totally different demographic audience where this type of remark gets "brownie ponts"
I am not sure of a way to 'rate' talk show hosts. The spectrum is wide-ranging from Jerry Springer to Larry King. But again there are those that are 'shock jocks' and those that take a journalistic approach to their job. That is why it was so tragic when Tim Russert passed away suddenly from a heart attack last week. He was a greater amongst equals (even more senior hosts) in his approach to the job.
Hmm, no the way it was worded I read it the other way, the Oh he's black that's why he's been arrested again *eyeroll* I think it's a situation were people will take it the way they want to take it.
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Southland...I spent two weeks in the States, years ago... ;-)
In other words he lacks talent and relies on well, crap for "creativity".
You dont need to use racist slurs and demeaning words towards women to be a successful talk show host. We'll remember him as being racist. How will you remember Larry King, David Letterman and Jon Stewart. Oh and billionaire Oprah has covered many a controversial topics.
You can still be extremely controversial without slugging off blacks and women and STILL have high ratings. BUT being racist and sexist is easier than actually thinking something thought provoking. Whats so thought provoking about calling someone the n word or calling women "bitches". I have ZERO respect for those people.
Do you think it sarcastic ? The way it was worded seemed to me to imply "Oh well he's black, so what do you expect?"
Hmm, I actually probably would have made the same sarcastic comment, so I can't say he was being racist, it sounds to me like he was talking about African Americans being unfairly picked on.
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Dang, I'm from the US and I would struggle to come up with such insight! I take it you lived in the States.
When it comes to 'shock jocks' on the radio in America, controversy sells and lately cable news has gone that route as well. Howard Stern had to take his act off public airwaves and apparently it hasn't slowed his success down.
As far as Mr. Imus is concerned he may be smart and I am sure he is opinionated but genius. . . I think some of the 'backlash' was accurate when it pointed to the derogatory language that is in rap music (but typically the controversial tracks do not get public radio play so even that argument is weak).
Inmus is a radio show host and needs to kep his ratings high.. He also needs to be controversial..Look at Rush Limbaugh and the like..
So, do you think that he's playing to the crowd and courtng contvercy?
Don Imus is expected to be sarcastic...otherwise he'd be in some old age home picking his nose. Have you seen that guy? He looks like he's gonna topple over! I think with regard to the remarks about the "nappy headed hoes" that got him in plenty hot water, you can make the very weak argument that he was not specifically speaking about black women since there are a number of white women on the team. BUT, I have never heard of a white woman's hair being refered to as nappy so his defence, to me, is completely trashable. With respect to the Pacman comment. Well, Don Imus does say that the whole thing was taken out of context and what he meant was because Pacman is African American he is being picked on. Well then Mr. Genius should have made this point clear at the time he said it. If it was Tiger Woods he was talking about I think there would have been more of an uproar. Pacman hasn't done himself any favours by continually getting himself in trouble....
In short, if anyone thinks Don is a GENIUS...I shudder to think of who else they hold in high esteem? Hitler perhaps, that complete psycho Mugabe who loathes white people, how about Idi Amin who threw out all Indians from Uganda? These are all people who made generalizations about a group of people based on their skin colour...I hardly call that genius...thats idiocy (and ignorance) of the highest order.
Please...............
I am expecting constructive debate on the subject..