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INTRO: As of today popular radio and television host Don Imus is unemployed. Last night CBS fired him from its national radio show, and earlier this week MSNBC decided it would no longer simulcast his morning program. Lisa Desai filed a report and after that Peter O'Dowd will have more analysis.
NARR: Imus has never been known as an angel. His sarcasm and low humor is what attracted an audience of over 12 million, that audience attracted many politicians and journalists to his show. Over the year critics accused Imus and his sidekicks of racism, homophobia and misogyny. When he watched the women's teams University of Tennessee and Rutgers-- battle it out on a basketball court his jokes finally got him fired.
Nat-- Imus remarks
NARR: The comments angered African Americans and all week demonstrators took their anger to the streets.
NAT-Protests chat
NARR: Standing outside the MSNBC studio on Tues. Joyce Johnson, an African American woman, said Imus's comments weren't just about the Rutgers basketball team
AX: They were made about me-- anytime my hair is not pressed it may be nappy but I'm certainly no ho. an insult to one is an insult to all.
NARR: 3 days after Imus made the comments he tried to take back his words
AX: I'm embarrassed that I did that. I did a bad thing. But I'm a good person.
NARR: But the damage was done. Presidential Candidate Barak Obama said he'd never go back on Imus's show. Hilary Clinton vowed to stay away. And Civil Rights Leader Al Sharpton headed up a nation wide campaign against the shock jock. One by one advertisers including Proctor and Gamble and General Motors began to pull their dollars. That cost CBS at least 15 million in revenue. On Wednesday MSNBC dropped its TV simulcast and last night CBS also decided it was time to pull the plug on Imus.
Lisa Desai Columbia Radio News