Barbara Walters Defends Imus

Barbara Walters (ad Whoopi) defended Imus on the View this morning.

Joy continues to prove she's a total moron.

CLICK HERE to watch the clip.

George Carlin 1937-2008

Another I-fav has died.  George Carlin died of heart failure last night.  He was 71.

Carlin was one of Imus' first guests on the new show back in December.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Remembering Russert

The life story and legacy of Tim Russert is being told this morning, after his sudden death on Friday.

Washington Post's crabby Tom Shales calls Russert "The Smile That Lit Up Journalism."  Shales writes, "It's just not right that he is gone, just not right. It's an affront, an outrage, an act of cruelty -- and something that Russert never was: unfair."  CLICK HERE

Media critic Howard Kurtz remembers Russert as the "Journalist (who) Revitalized Washington Talk Shows."   Kurtz writes that Russert "revolutionized Sunday morning television and infused journalism with an unrelenting passion for politics"  CLICK HERE

There are many more tributes-- Tom Brokaw, Nancy Reagan, President Bush, Ted Kennedy, Walter Cronkite, Katie Couric, the list goes on.  CLICK HERE to read those remembrances.

One person who has yet to share his thoughts is Don Imus.  Russert was one of Imus' most frequent guests over the years and off the air, a close friend to Imus and his family.   But that relationship was put to the test during the Rutgers controversy.   Many blame Russert for not doing enough to support Imus-- he never showed public support during the firestorm that would eventually claim Imus' job.

But the real story of Russert's role during that time has not been told.  As a friend, he was in a unique position to know the real Imus.   But as the Washington bureau chief for NBC news, he had to listen to the outcry from some of his employees.  Still, behind the scenes at NBC, Russert was Imus' strongest advocate, arguing that the Rutgers comments should not end his career.   Russert tried to make the case for Imus taking the summer off, but in the end even Russert's support was not enough.

When Russert was invited to appear on the new broadcast, many wondered why Imus was so willing to forgive and forget.   Unlike the people at Newsweek, or the David Gregorys and Andrea Mitchells of the world, Imus was willing to forgive Russert.   Why?   Clearly the real story of Russert's efforts on behalf of Imus would have caused problems for Russert at NBC.   So now that Russert is gone, will Imus be able to finally tell the whole story?

We've posted several of Russert's appearances on Imus' show, beginning with one from January 2003, in the audio player on the right.   The clips will also be available on the podcast.

Hamilton Jordan 1944-2008

Hamilton Jordan, the former top strategist and aide to Jimmy Carter, died tonight after a long battle with cancer.

He was 63 years old.

Jordan had battled two types of cancer.  He and his wife founded a camp for children with cancer-- Camp Sunshine Retreat, in Georgia

Jordan was a close Imus friend, and instrumental in Imus' efforts to create the Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer.

READ MORE

On April 10, 2007 Hamilton called in to defend Imus during the Rutgers controversy:

Buck 'Em

Given the enormous power of this website (viewed by thousands of people every day), we've tried to avoid endorsing any specific products. 

We're here to set the record straight about the I-man, not to sell books and CDs.

But Imus fav Dwight Yoakam's latest album rises above that. 

It's called "Dwight Sings Buck"-- a tribute to the late Buck Owens who died last year at age 76. 

The album is great.  Go buy it.  We're confident Imus agrees.  Hopefully we can hear him say so very soon.

Download the album on iTunes or CLICK HERE to buy the CD.

In the meantime, we've posted some of our favorite Dwight songs, performed live on Imus in the Morning.   Listen in the media player on the right.

McCain, Richardson would go on Imus after his radio return

This morning's New York Daily News reports John McCain and Bill Richardson will have no problem appearing on Imus' program when he returns.

CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Bob Kerrey Op-Ed Praises Imus

Bob Kerrey, former U.S. senator from Nebraska and 1992 candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, has written an opinion piece for this morning's New York Daily News.

Kerrey has the following advice for any presidential candidate considering what to say if asked to be on Imus' program: 

"Take my unsolicited advice and just say yes. Forgive Imus his terrible transgression and run the risk of being interviewed by the man. My guess is that you will benefit even if he gives you a very rough time — which I sincerely hope he does."

Kerrey calls Imus the most difficult interviewer in the business and says he'll have no problem being on Imus' show again.

Kerrey writes, "For as offensive as his remarks were about the Rutgers women's basketball team (for which he, unlike Isiah Thomas, apologized), and as sharp-tongued as I hope he will still be (I pray he has not become Mr. Rogers during his forced sabbatical), he will have a big and influential audience."

CLICK HERE to read the full column.

D.L. Hughley supports Imus

Richard Johnson reports in this morning's New York Post:

AS Don Imus gets ready to go back to work, the famed radio host has the support of D.L. Hughley, who recently told AVClub.com, "I watched Don Imus . . . support Harold Ford and Barack Obama. I also watched him take politicians to task for their treatment of Katrina victims. I have a bit of context. And it would be hypocritical for me to deny somebody else the right to express themselves the way they see fit." Hughley - whose "Unapologetic" comedy special debuts tonight on HBO - got into similar trouble on Jay Leno's show when he described the Rutgers basketball team as "some of the ugliest women I've ever seen in my whole life."

LINKS:

HBO: D.L. HUGHLEY - UNAPOLOGETIC

The Unapologetic Interview with Kam Williams

McCain: Bring Back Imus

From Politico.com: Republican White House hopeful John McCain is endorsing efforts that could help clear the way for shock jock Don Imus to return to the nation’s airwaves.

The Arizona senator acknowledged it is a controversial stance for him to be taking in the middle of a presidential campaign. But, McCain said last week, “I believe in redemption.”

“I’ve made mistakes in my life, and, thank God, people have been kind enough to allow me to start over and rectify my mistakes,” McCain said.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Karmazin: I’d Hire Imus Again

Sirius Satellite CEO Mel Karmazin said Tuesday that he would be open to the idea of hiring former CBS Radio and MSNBC morning man Don Imus to host a program on Sirius. “The fact that he had been fired wouldn’t stop me from having Don work for me again. He makes you a lot of money,” Karmazin, a former CBS chairman and CEO, said during an interview on Fox News Channel Tuesday.