Imus Gone

Don Imus, pretty much an overpaid, little-account radio host for years, has no more radio to host. By the way, Imus was making $8 million dollars a year.

First he lost advertisers (GM, Ford), then his MSNBC simulcast.

Now CBS has removed him from the airwaves.

Losing Imus will be a financial hit to CBS Radio, which also suffered when shock jock Howard Stern departed for satellite radio early last year. The program is worth about $15 million in annual revenue to CBS, which owns Imus' home radio station, WFAN-AM in New York, and manages Westwood One, the company that syndicates the show across the country. CBS Corp. is also the parent company of CBSNews.com.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson met with Moonves to advocate Imus' removal, promising a rally outside CBS headquarters Saturday and an effort to persuade more advertisers to abandon Imus.

DON IMUS: When will Al Sharpton be apologizing to them? (Duke lacrosse team)

CARLIN: I'm unaware of such a press conference.

IMUS: I'll be darned . . .

Okay, Sharpton & Jackson; you've nailed Imus. The radio world is quaking, wondering: me next?

What about Tawana Brawley?

What about Crystal Gail Mangum?

In my opinion, however, there are two things upon which most of us can agree:

1. Don Imus was stupid.

2. Note to aggrieved blacks: perhaps people will respect you when respect yourselves culturally.

BZ