March 31, 2005: Blind Boys of Alabama

WFAN management bitched about them.  The MSNBC bigwigs worried they'd get horrible ratings.  On March 31, 2005 Imus brought them on anyway.   Here's a clip of the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Comments

[cas]

CHECK OUT THE EDITORIAL PIECE BY DICK CAVETT IN TODAY'S NY TIMES ABOUT IMUS! IT'S BRILLIANT. EVERYONE MUST READ IT, AND COMMENT. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE PUT THAT UP HERE FOR ALL TO COMMENT!

[cas]

IT'S AN OPINION PIECE, NOT AN EDITORIAL PIECE...CLARIFICATION.

[Percy]

Thanks, CAS. Cavett's piece was excellent! I left a comment, but will have to wait to see if it gets approved. One month from today we'll actually be listening to our beloved I-man again! Woohoo!!

[bob]

HOW DO WE FIND OUT ABOUT LOU?

[Harley]

Link????????????

[Harley]

HERE'S THE LINK...............

http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/hail-the-conquered-hero/

ALSO, WE NEED TO GET OVER TO THE GUY FROM HANNITY AND COLMES. HE'S AT IT AGAIN!

[Harley]

GET HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://blogs.tampabay.com/media/2007/11/don-imus-bounce.html?cid=88512824#comment-88512824

[donaldinks]

Marsha: in regard to the Roemer Hi-Q recorder: When you download the program, it will ask you if you want it linked to your task bar. Once the program is installed, the icon should appear on your screen along with your other icons. Then just double click on the icon and it opens. It will guide you along with the set up. I'm a complete idiot about computers...but was able to get it set up and to work. I am, what people call "technically challenged"...LOL

[Marsha]

Thank you, DonaldInks. I'll take courage and give it a try!

And thank you, Cas--great Cavett piece.

[Marsha]

Thank you, DonaldInks. I'll take courage and give it a try!

And thank you, Cas--great Cavett piece.

[Mel]

Loved the Cavett piece, thanks.

Sharpton will forever be "trash no pal"

[Frec]

Here's the essence of the thing right here from the erudite Mr. Cavett: "There is really no getting away from the injustice that’s been done. A program enjoyed (and missed) by millions was trashed for the sake of the few."

Yesterday I heard Joe Schmoe whining about Imus being treated like a victim when in fact he's coming out with a better deal and more money in the bank than he had before. That's all well and good but, for me, it was never about the victim-hood of Imus. I always knew he was going to be okay no matter what. I was focused on us.

We, the loyal viewers and fans of not just Imus, but his whole crew, who provided us with daily entertainment and enlightenment, we are the ones who were unjustly deprived by the misguided and selfish actions of the few. I am thrilled that is about to change.

Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Cavett. You give "elitists" a good name.

[BTW, Joe and his crew admitted they are shaking in their shoes. Everyday they hear from folks, even their own friends and family, how much Imus is missed.]

[steve]

Cavett, Mahr, Kinky, George Carlin, and Jeff Greenfield, and a few others were
'top shelf' guests and for the most part remained loyal to Imus. Dick Cavett was always an interesting guest, sometimes a bit too 'cerebral', but always brilliant, genuine, and was a good storyteller, good for him for this 'New Yaaahrrrrrk Tiiihhhms' piece. (Imus would sometimes pronounce it in a rather pretentious and affected, satirical way). About 6-7 yrs. ago Jeff Greenfield wrote a piece about Imus titled, 'In Praise of Imus'. It was a 'puff-piece' very complimentary, etc. and Imus would skewer Jeff about it when he came on the program afterwords (about what a suck-up he was).

[Angie]

Hey Bob - you didn't hear? Everyone received an email telling us every single top-secret detail about Lou, the comeback, and everything. This is why none of us are discussing it. We don't like to discuss known things about Imus. Mainly, we don't like to constantly discuss things in all caps.

I suppose you didn't receive the email...

[Angie]

Webmaster, thank you for the Blind Boys. And Cas, thank YOU for that brilliant article.

Incidentally, has everyone been listening to the new shows in the audio player? I'm only 30 minutes into the most recent one, and already Charles has had a mini-meltdown and Tracy has discussed being in a bar fight. Good stuff...

[Bruce]

Angie,

Are you talking to an imaginary person (BOB)?

I find no one in this thread by that name nor anyone typing in all CAPS.

Confusion reigns.

Bruce from Florida

[channelXRFR]

ahhh bruce time stamp 7:45AM - chanx

[Bruce]

It was so small Channel I missed it. Seems people don't read the threads regarding Lou.

Thanks and have a great weekend.

Bruce from Florida via WV, WI, NJ. Yes New Jersey is where I was born if you care??????

[Angie]

Hahaha, thanks ChanX

[Linda S]

Angie, I thought you didn't believe in attacking people on this site. Or......are you PMSing..... because you advised against that, too.

[Angie]

Eh...probably the latter. I'm stuck inside this weekend because I don't feel good.
Mostly when I feel bad, I get sarcastic. Example: today.

[cas]

Read all the comments for the Cavett piece (I think there are #85 so far), mostly negative, unfortnately. I wrote a comment, but it was not posted.

[Mel]

Did I miss something re Lou? I didn't think we had heard what his plans were yet.

I was just reading an interview with Chris Rock in the latest Rolling Stone and of course, they asked about Imus.

Here it is:

RS - Is racism getting worse? Don Imus is returning to the air soon -- right-wingers have defended his "nappy-headed ho's" comment by saying "It's no different than Chris Rock."

ROCK: "I didn't go crazy over it because it was his show, and I don't really care what is said at a Klan rally. If he said it on BET, I'd go for his head. Let me put it this way: I've been doing this twenty-whatever years, and I've never called any woman ugly. And I say some harsh shit. There's just something amateurish about calling people ugly....."

Chris Rock proved to me he's not as bright as he'd like to believe because he sounds like an idiot. He obviously never heard the show either if he think it's like listening to a Klan Rally. My husband said Rock is always calling woman fat and all kinds of nasty things so he's full of it. He did say Imus should be able to work again. Gee, thanks Chris.

[stdomsgirl]

Cavett: Did I read the same Dick Cavett thoughts regarding Imus? I thought he was standing up for Imus. Also, I recall the day the Blind Boys were on the show ~ 'they brought down the house'. They sounded so great! Finally, I also remember those days that Imus would bring little sleepy Wyatt on at 6am and have Wyatt say 'Git-R-Done' ~ or 'put some gravy on it!' Wyatt's little boy's voice was so cute!

[Anne B]

Here's a sampling of Chris Rock's highbrow classy form of humor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utnK4o-jvzk

[stdomsgirl]

Steve: Imus saying 'New York Times' in that pretentious way ~ I used to smile when he did. He also did the same thing to the words 'The Theatre' ~ said in an easy-going mocking way! This from a guy who also liked to use the 'Shuuuuuuuutup' button. Jester Imus. Edgy Imus. So Funny. So off-the-wall, he gets my attention!

[Percy]

CAS, I wrote a comment on the Cavett piece, too, but it wasn't published either. After reading all those negative ones on there now, I don't mind not being included in that crowd. This board is definitely a safer place!

[Bella]

oops, Anne B is me. How does my name get changed without me changing it?

[Mel]

I just finished reading the comments on the Cavett post (many good) and it drives me crazy when women say that 'all women were hurt and offended' by Imus' comments. Apparently, people still don't get that Imus' female fan base is huge!

http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/hail-the-conquered-hero/#comment-6691

[SusanE]

I was really offended by the "all women were offended by Imus's comments" comments too. How can anyone be so arrogant and unbelievably stupid to assert that she is entitled to speak for millions of people she has never met.

I am very amused, though, by all the Imus haters who mutter about boycotting him and his sponsors, blah, blah, blah. We see by Morning Joe's ratings how they boosted their hero Steve Capus.

We've all read many times that Imus fans are more intelligent, more educated, more affluent and more interested in world and national affairs than the average person. The difference in the quality of the comments from Imus fans compared to those people who want him off the air is certainly evidence that that is true.

[Dave]

Great piece by Cavett. A great program trashed for the sake of the few, indeed!

Here's a vote for Levon Helm for musical guest on December 3rd! He's got a great new CD, and it's a shame that Imus can't give it the recognition that it deserves right now.

[JoAnn]

Hello All..There must be a way to youtube Imus's first programs.
Visually it would be so great.
Just to see them all setting up for the first time.
Trying to get comfortable in a new studio.
Finding Imus just the right chair. What a howl.
The looks on everyones faces as Imus insists on everything his way.
And seeing that familiar grin as all is right in the world again.
Halleluya..free speech once again. I love it.

[Mel]

You know Levon will be on in December. I am getting so excited to get up at 6 am!

[Bruce]

We have to remember. The people who made comments on this Dick Cavett Op-Ed article are the same people who think that WABC is a right wing radio station. This is only because of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Mark Levin.

They are also New Yorkers. Very liberal views and generally vote democrat in most elections. The dislike of Imus and gang is just a normal thing for them, although they think he is a liberal. I personally could never see that side of him, but that is their perception.

In the grand scheme of things it is just another attack by some against a great personality. Humor is sometimes ignored and is in the mind of the beholder.

Reading the words Nappy headed hoes and watching him say them are two different things. We know it was an ill conceived joke using words, but those that had negative words about him apparently didn't see him say them.

The war is just beginning. But not to worry. Don Imus will survive and we will be there to make sure we counter any attacks if need be.

In my heart of hearts I think the I-Man will take care of it himself without our intervention.

Good Night all.

Bruce

[JoeM]

I posted to the New York Times Cavett blog and my comments didn't make it. Gee maybe telling folks that they needed a course in Economics and Free Speech was a little over the top.

I did mention that Imus being fired had nothing to do with economics and everything to do with a political agenda. Imus' return has more to do with economics, because there is a demand for the Imus program and WABC and Citadel are moving to fill that demand.
People who say this is not a free speech issue are fooling themselves and hiding behind that cover to remove speech they don't like. That is not free speech in my estimation. I agree with D.L. Hughley that free speech is a zero sum game, your are for it or you're not, there is no in between. (I do believe that was the position of Justice Douglas from the US Supreme Court.)

Lets face it these folks who are against Imus' return are small minded bigots in their own right. They want people to make nicey nice talk all the time while real issues lurk beneath the surface. If these dopes spent half as much time worrying about kids carrying guns to school I think they could make the world a better place.

[Bella]

I am surprised at some of the comments in the NYTimes today. It is not very sophisticated to presume to speak for all women, for instance. I am sure I'm probably the least astute of any of the Imus fans, but it seems to me it does take a certain amount of perception and attention to appreciate Imus and what his show is about. Apparently, if they watched or listened at all, it went right over these commenters' heads. I am also surprised at how narrow-minded some are and so absolutely willing to take somebody else's assessment of a program without having checked it out for themselves.

[judy]

i also posted to the ny times about dick cavetts' article. i mentioned i'm a black women who digs imus. my post didn't make it in either. the times is just asswipe.

[PTBartman]

Crisis Imus has got me thinking.

As I take in all the Data, Sift through the facts and weigh the arguments things are becoming clearer. I'm beginning to understand the new rules.

So, as a proud American of Italian descent (real Italian, Sicilian and Calabrese, Not that Fake northern Italian)I am declaring all words of Italian origin off limits to Non-Italian Americans. I am sick of my heritage being pillaged to fill the coffers of others.

If you're gonna sing O-Solo Mio or That's Amore You better be Italian

If you want to say Mama Mia, you better be a boy from the boot.

And you damn well better have a vowel at the end of your name if you wanna say "That's-a spi-cy meatball" or any other phrase in which you fake an Italian accent by adding a vowel to the end of every other word.

However I also realize that like Rap and Hip Hop culture, "Italinism's" have too integrated into the American Melting Pot.

So in the interest of fairness and in line with every Protection Racket ever attributed to my Sicilian hermitage I'm instituting a guinea tax. Kind of a cultural royalties system. Reparations.

After a slight administrative fee, the remainder of said collections will be divided up amongst my offended brethren. My Paisons.

Every time You order pizza or spaghetti or use any other of my people's words you pay us a Quarter and we promise not to picket your house, threaten your employment or tell lies about you in the press or refer to you as a racist.

A Pay-pal account will be set up in the near future. This will be on the honor system, but we reserve the right to random enforcement. And remember we're real good at enforcement.

I'm Bartolo Falcone and I approve this message.

[Percy]

Pretty funny, PT. I, too, am from an Italian (Sicilian) family (by marriage). Yes, our last name ends with a vowel.

[Harley]

Hey Judy! I'm also an African-American woman who listened to Imus! Those who say he is a racist are SADLY mistaken! WELCOME ABOARD, SISTER!

[Judy]

Hey Harley- thanx. I'm like your half sister. I'm a mulatto, and I play the "race card". (whatever race it's convenient to be! ha!)

I was raised by the old adage, "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me." It's been my mantra. This is what i wrote to the ny times. I was anxious to hear what those erudite pinheads had to say about that.

[Judy]

uh-oh....just checked the ny times cavett article and they DID post my comments!

should i take back what i said about them?

nah