CBS Finally Fires Don Imus Over Sexist and Racial Slurs

After the long wait from critics and anti-racist supporters, CBS finally canceled Don Imus' radio show, which is effective immediately after he had made sexist and racist comments about the elite Rutger's women's basketball team.

CBS President and Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Moonves told the press about the decision: ""From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent," said CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves, in announcing the decision."

CBS's decision came exactly one day after network NBC Universal left Imus, resulting in the cancellation of his show on the ever-popular MSNBC.

After his on-air slurs were heard, Imus "apologized enough" according to himself. It also added that he would not go on some talk show tour about the incident or will not "go talk to Larry King of Barbara Walters or anyone else". He realizes he could use this as a ironic fame-booster.

Imus has repeatedly apologized and even hoped to meet with the Rutger's team personally and privately, but no such meeting has taken place or even has been scheduled to happen. He refered to the team as "nappy-headed-hos" when the team lost the NCAA basketball championship to U of Tenn. "Nappy-headed-hos" refered to the African American players in a racist and sexist way.

NBC and CBS realize that losing Imus will do their corporations good, not bad, as Imus hit a nerve that should not have been hit. It not only offended his employers, but many of his listeners, and especially the Rutger's team who were completely innocent. NBC and CBS believe there will be no regrets.

There is still a wait on the meeting between Imus and the team in hopes of a formal apology directly from Imus.

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/12/imus.rutgers/index.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSWEN642220070412
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003664067_webimus12.html