Imus is out
The other shoe has dropped.
Don Imus has lost his job and his radio show.
In the face of a growing exodus of sponsors. the network showed the craggy-faced cowboy with the foul mouth and crabby disposition the door.
CBS said in a statement that it will "cease broadcasting the Imus in the Morning radio program, effective immediately, on a permanent basis."
“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 the statement.
"Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society — all races, economic groups, men and women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation and our many other constituencies."
Imus brought this on himself. His demise seemed hastened by public sympathy for the Rutgers women's basketball team, who were minding their own business when this storm blew in, and who did nothing to deserve being targeted as "nappy-headed ho's."
Now let's see if the outrage extends to the lyrics and images of rap music, as it ought to (CBS, by the way, is owned by Viacom, which also owns MTV and BET).
Meanwhile, don't weep for Imus. He'll probably find an afterlife on satellite radio.