Critics demand Imus be fired for Rutgers remark

CRITICS DEMAND IMUS BE FIRED FOR RUTGERS REMARK
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Peter Johnson]
Radio host Don Imus' apology Friday for disparaging remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team has not satisfied angry critics, from black journalists to the NAACP, who want him fired. He's also in hot water with MSNBC, which simulcasts his popular talk show, and syndicator CBS Radio. As reaction to his comments played out, both outlets said they were reviewing the incident. The furor over his remarks comes as the popularity of MSNBC's simulcast of Imus in the Morning has surged 35% in the past year. It was a factor in rival CNN's decision to switch anchors on its competing American Morning. It's unclear how Imus' comments will affect his popularity or tenure. But MSNBC sought to distance itself from his "offensive" remarks, noting, "As Imus makes clear every day, his views are not those of MSNBC." Parent company NBC called them "deplorable." CBS said that though a "sincere apology was called for," it will "monitor the program's comments going forward." Imus' trademark is take-no-prisoners humor, and fans say part of his appeal is that he is an equal-opportunity offender. But blacks say he has been particularly insensitive, comparing former NBC News correspondent Gwen Ifill to a "cleaning woman" and referring to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama as "that colored fellow."
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20070409/d_imus09.art.htm