Brian Williams suggested Imus go to Iraq to "change the subject;" Claims he didn't really know Imus

The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz writes in his new book "Reality Show," that NBC anchorman Brian Williams felt it hard to defend Imus during the Rutgers controversy because "they had no off-air relationship," and because Williams had only met Imus in person twice.

The Kurtz book, which hit bookstores today, claims Williams spoke to Imus on the telephone during the controversy, suggesting Imus travel to Iraq to "change the subject."

Kurtz writes, "The truth was, Imus remained an enigma.  Williams didn't really know him.  They had met twice and spoken on the phone three or four times, but Imus seemed to be the wizard behind the curtain.  Some of the crude talk on the show had always made him wince, and it was hard for him to defend Imus from these charges of racism and sexism, Williams felt, because they had no off-air relationship."

Kurtz reports Williams called Imus at home after Williams visited the Rutgers campus to interview the team's coach and players. 

Kurtz writes, "Williams was disappointed that Imus was offering the same defenses that he had been making on the air, but found him to be contrite.  Williams told Imus that he should visit Iraq, that such a trip would be a valuable experience for him and help him change the subject.  But it was not a good phone call.  The man seemed close to despondent."

Kurtz also details the internal battle over Imus at NBC News, reporting that NBC news president Steve Capus had gotten advice from Tom Brokaw during the controversy.  Kurtz says Brokaw felt Imus was not getting adequate credit for his charitable endeavors.

Kurtz's book devotes 2 1/2 pages to Imus' firing, mostly from the perspective of NBC's Williams.  It finishes by saying the whole thing had been painful for Williams to watch, but that Williams felt "Imus had always done things his own way and in the end he paid the price."

Comments

[Angie]

OK, first of all, that is a fucking lie. They were PLANNING the Iraq trip BEFORE all this broke loose. Like, two to three weeks before NHH.

There is NO WAY that Williams suggested the trip BECAUSE of the controversy. Oh, sure, I think that this would have definitely taken the edge off of the comments. But they were definitely planning this beforehand. Check the Imus Blog archives; it's there.

THIS MAKES ME SO MAD...

[Mel]

What a spineless little prick! Sorry, but reading his lame excuse makes me angry. Brian, it's called doing the right thing.

[Marsha]

Angie, your account is exactly how I, too, remember it. I share your anger. And I agree with you, too, Mel.

[stdomsgirl]

Brian is a liar re: Imus & Iraq ~ I remember the sequence of talk about Iraq & Brian is a liar.

[Bruce]

I think maybe Kurts' new book with the Brian Williams mention is just so Brian can get back on Don's good side.

Brian Williams is on the (Non Supportive) list. Though he does not appear on shows other then his own, he never made a statement against those that threw Imus under the bus.

The Iraq trip was planned 2 weeks prior to the actual NHH statement. I watched it and it is on YouTube. So frankly it is just a bunch of hog wash.

Brian Williams graduated two years before my sister in Kinnelon High School in Kinnelon NJ. He is well like by my father and my sister. Prior to the Imus firing I was all for him taking over for Brokaw. Now he is just a news reader.

Ever notice NBC Nightly News is beginning to look like the Today show?

It sucks and is awful. But of course I cannot stop my Dad from watching it.

[Charlie On the Pennsylvania Turnpike]

Agreed; Imus had discussed plans for Iraq in March, before the smear job against him by MediaMatters.

Kurtz should know better; Williams is just BS'ing.

[Sue]

Brian Williams is such a slimy, sleezy person. To think that Imus talked to him in those crazy days in April and Williams was useless...what a piece of trash.

[steve]

It was at least a month before the Rutgers incident that Imus talked about going to Iraq. I could be wrong, but I don't remember Brian Williams talking on the phone to Imus during this incident? (unless it was the Thurs. or Fri. right after Imus said what he said, and the firestorm hadn't started yet) When Brokaw retired, Imus almost single-handedly pumped up and praised this no-talent 'Ken-Doll looking, pretty boy, talking head empty suit'. He helped put Brian Williams in the top ranking among the 3 networks nightly news programs. Give me a break, he hardly knew Imus, he was in the 'power-rotation', at least 2 or 3 times a month. Plus he came on and 'yukked' it up, he kissed the I-man's ass! What a phony!!

[steve]

Oh, I re-read the paragraph, Williams called Imus at home.

[Linda S]

Kudos to Tom Brokaw for standing with the I-man!!

I doubt that Tom Brokaw knew the I-man any more than Williams did, but he had the balls to stick up for the I-man to Capus.

That, my fellow I-hos, is the difference between a man and a spineless weasel.

[Jeannette]

I remember the Iraq trip conversation with Williams before the "incident", as well. Sleazy bastard. I stopped watching him when I saw how hypocritical he was being during the witch hunt. I'm so disappointed by these people.

[Jeannette]

You're right, Steve. Imus welcomed Williams into the fold. Practically part of the family. That was the only way I accepted Brokaw leaving was Imus was so generous to Williams.

[SusanE]

I watched MSBNC briefly the Friday morning after Imus was fired to see what Tom Brokaw had to say. If I remember correctly, he was on with David Gregory, and it wasn't pretty. I used to really, really like Brokaw, but not after he trashed Imus and said it was a good thing that he was fired.

[Marsha]

I too remember Brokaw trashing Imus.

During the week of the firing, Mary Matalin and Craig Crawford were the only ones I remember standing up loud and clear in support of Imus.

[Linda S]

Thanks for the info, Susane and Marsha. I was going by what Kurtz said in his book about Brokaw talking to Capus about giving him credit for his humanitarian efforts.

Thanks for giving me the follow-up....sounds like someone got to Brokaw and turned him.

It is SO sad, how few of the I-man's friends stuck by him - they were ALL scum-sucking weasels. I would be SO bitter if I were the I-man.

[cas]

If the Iman were smart, and he IS, he will not be 'bitter', 'bitter' isn't funny or entertaining, and he wants to be both. he wants to stay on the air as long as HE wants to, and he will want the 'suits' and advertisers on his side to continue to support him. The Iman will be the Iman, but he will turn 'bitter' into lively, spirited, and entertaining dialogue.

The Iman wants to come back because he has work still to do...for the ranch, for Diedre, for his causes. He was not ready to retire. He also does not want what happened to be his final legacy. He wants his final working career years to be successful...having come back at the age of 67 from being fired and humiliated...He wants a different legacy, not only for himself, but for Diedre, Wyatt, and the Ranch....the Iman is going to turn this whole thing around...HE WILL BEGIN "THE DISCUSSION'...I guarantee you he will ask Sharpton and Jesse on his show for an HONEST discussion of race....The Iman will welcome this discussion...and he will do it his way...

[Dave Ruden]

i am glad there are lots of fans on here to remember who was loyal and who wasn't. i guess in our eyes.. most were not. it will be interesting to see who imus forgives and who he doesn't. i think all of us agree, we could care less if he has any of these weasels on his show ever again. we are interested in imus, his thoughts on stuff, and what charles, larry, rob, bernie and lou have to say. especially if it concerns making fun of imus.

i hope everybody who abandoned imus are shaking in their boots. their day is coming. don't ever fuck with imus.

[carrie elkin]

As all of the fans of IMUS know, there was talk of going to Iraq before the NHH incident, so, that is completely false....also, if Brian is not a personal friend of IMUS, (he only met him 2 times), then why is he making a personal phone call to him giving him personal advice...I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but even I can see the duplicity in his statement...you really can't make this stuff up!

[Gray]

From what I recall about the Brian/Don Iraq conversation, Brian was going to escort Deirdre and Don to the area and personally give them the grand tour, since he had visited there several times. What a pal, don't ya think??!!

[Mel]

On Imus' last show on MSNBC, I remember him saying how disgusted he was that NBC News led off the previous night's broadcast with his trumped up story and I haven't watched the show since (I notice NBC News is now in 2nd place behind ABC, such a shame). Tom Brokaw was no friend either - he was a sanctimonious skunk whenever interviewed. The thought of Imus on the phone with that tanning bed queen Williams and the guy gives absolutely no support but was an empty suit....ugh! Imus always said they were phoneys and he was so right.

[Mel]

Can you believe this bullshit? Imus is getting bamboozled by NOW! I submitted my own text saying I didn't agree with the statement but I'm not sure with the email heading NO REWARED FOR IMUS that my message will be read.

http://www.now.org/lists/now-action-list/msg00321.html

[Frec]

I checked back to the archives of Big Roy's old blog and found there are still some posts that put the lie to whatever it is that Brian Williams is claiming retrospectively that he said to Imus "during the controversy" about going to Iraq. I clearly remember that the Iraq conversations had been going on for over a week prior, not just with Brian Williams but others, including Colonel Jack who offered to travel with Imus. Deirdre was concerned about what effect the trip would have on Imus's health, especially his breathing difficulties.

So either Brian Williams lied to Howard Kurtz, or Mr. Kurtz is confused about whatever Brian Williams recalled. Either way, the facts aren't too hard to check. I won't be buying this book.

The Iraq discussion was not a "subject changer" by any stretch. If anything, it was "the controversy" that changed the subject...

http://imusblog.com/mr-imus-worried-about-getting-his-head-chopped-off/