Imus returning??

[blotto98]

From NY Post

By DON KAPLAN
DON IMUS
Legal battle looms.
July 2, 2007 -- Imus may be hitting the FAN again.

The radio rumor mill has turned the volume way up on reports that the return of Don Imus to WFAN is just around the corner.

And WFAN itself is fueling the reports.

While celebrating the sports station's 20th anniversary last Friday, Imus pals Mike Francesa and Chris Russo, of "Mike and the Mad Dog," hinted that a deal to bring the crusty talk-radio cowboy back is in the works.

"When we return to our regular schedule this September, I hope the team will once again be complete," Francesa said.

A few minutes before that, longtime Imus co-host Charles McCord also made a cryptic comment about having "looked into the rearview mirror . . . and some objects were closer than they appear."

Imus was fired in April for making a racist crack about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

The jock has received offers from other stations but cannot accept anything until he settles with CBS, the station's owner, what could become a contentious legal battle over his current contract, according to sources.

"If they keep him under contract, they'll keep shuffling interim hosts in and out all summer long and either bring Imus back this fall after the baseball season when the Rutgers story has grown cold, or just pay him to stay on the sidelines and out of the way," wrote one poster on the New York Radio Message Board, the go-to Internet site for radio insiders.

"I am convinced that CBS Radio is considering bringing back Imus in the Morning," wrote another regular poster.

"CBS presented a number of alternative programs to fill the Imus void, but perhaps only to wait for the climate to cool off. If Imus does indeed return, as, in my opinion, he should, I feel certain that the tone of the program will be considerably toned down."

Tapes from Imus' show were featured all morning on Friday, an unusual move for any radio station that had so recently fired its star.

WFAN program director Mark Chernoff justified the broadcast, saying Imus' contribution to the station could not be ignored.

Meanwhile, Imus' lawyer, Martin Garbus, has reportedly been trying to use his client's threatened multimillion-dollar lawsuit against CBS Radio as leverage for reinstatement, while CBS has prepared a countersuit that it plans to file the minute Imus starts the legal showdown.

The Imus camp believes the talk-show host is owed somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million on his current deal.

CBS believes there were stipulations in his contract that allowed them to fire him without repercussions.

don.kaplan@nypost.com

[Michael Ryder]

That's the impression I got from listening to the FAN this weekend. Vengeance
will be had on all the media hypocrites: Tim Russet and his dopey dad, Keith Olbermann, ect...

[doppler]

Yes, bring him back

[Reaper G]

I never liked Imus, but I hope he comes back and the first thing he says is a big anti-Sharpton tirade.

[chewonmysac]

Biggest comeback in radio history if it indeed happens. Yes bigger than OnA coming to XM. I wish he would just come to XM and replace Bob" The Ghoul" Edwards.

[Cromwell]

I hope he *does* comeback to his old job. If only to shove it in the face of all the PC asswipes.

[martianvirus]

He should have never been fired in the first place.

[Letty]

He should have never been fired in the first place.

I agree. And I really hope he comes back.

[Mindslayer]

Agreed, greatest comeback ever if he does come back to the 'FAN.

If he doesnt come back, though, CBS has got to put a regular morning show back in that slot. Im sure Francesca and Russo arent thrilled with having had to rotate shows for the past three months.

[Creeping Douche]

Imus should saddle up one of his horses, grab a rope, kidnap Al Sharpton then........uh did i say that outloud?

[augiep38]

Imus should saddle up one of his horses, grab a rope, kidnap Al Sharpton then........uh did i say that outloud?

You goose - what year do you live in? We use chains and pickup trucks now.

[fandango86]

Imus coming back would be bigger than O&A's move to XM, but the greatest comeback in radio history will ALWAYS be O&A coming back to freefm after 3 and 1/2 years off of regular radio. The only thing that could ever trump that would be Howard coming back.

[Imus4Life]

Great to hear!

[TeenBungle]

That's the impression I got from listening to the FAN this weekend. Vengeance
will be had on all the media hypocrites: Tim Russet and his dopey dad, Keith Olbermann, ect...

I know many NBC employees sold out Imus. no one worse then that cunt Olberman. What did Russert do though? i thought they were friends? you're right though, enough about your dead dad! get over it, fatbody

[Pat Battler]

CBS probably realizes that it's cheaper to bring him back then have to pay out the rest of his contract in full

So, if this is true:

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

[Southpaw]

What did Russert do though?

Not enough to defend his friend.

[Dr. Hoffman]

Good for Imus and I hope they reinstate him. I can only imagine Sharpton's outrage if they allow him back.

[Kris_LTRMa]

Not enough to defend his friend.

Forget not enough - more like he did nothing to defend his so-called friend. Never issued a statement supporting him, never went on the air to support him, or even to denounce him. Just went on his merry way as if The I-Man never existed in the Russert world.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that 'FAN does bring him back.

[ginaf20697]

The best was Mike and the Mad Dog ripping into him for being such a weasel after all the time Imus spent pimping his awful books. :haha7:

[Goblin]

I hope he returns and brings Bernie back as well.

[vegasbob]

This will give the Sparkling Wiggles(Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, & Al Roker) something to do when the official announcement of the return of the I-Man.

I think that all the black on black crime, poverty,& education issues in the Sparkling Wiggles community will have been solved.

[Kris_LTRMa]

The best was Mike and the Mad Dog ripping into him for being such a weasel after all the time Imus spent pimping his awful books. :haha7:

Not only did Imus pimp his books, but they exchanged Christmas cards ... Imus' kid called him Uncle Tim for God's sake. And then you go & bury your fat head in the sand. Russert may think highly of his father, but daddy is rolling over in his grave knowing that he raised such a cowardly two-faced son. :arrrh:

[mendozathejew]

and that half breed Harold Ford also buried his mulata mongrel head in the sand as well. I think it was Imus' last day on the air when he said "i endured death threats for supporting him" and said how disappointed he was in ford

[Pat Battler]

The best was Mike and the Mad Dog ripping into him for being such a weasel after all the time Imus spent pimping his awful books. :haha7:

That was so classic, I didnt know they had it in them :clap:

[Kris_LTRMa]

and that half breed Harold Ford also buried his mulata mongrel head in the sand as well. I think it was Imus' last day on the air when he said "i endured death threats for supporting him" and said how disappointed he was in ford

I forgot about that half wiggle Ford. Sure showed his true colors

[DeltaPin]

So the suspension/firing becomes a summer vacation.

[Jerry1]

Yeah, CBS don't like paying jocks to sit on the sidelines for a coupls of years and do nothing! Oh wait a minute...

[Blu Swade]

Word is - Imus to do hardball next week!
Did you get that AL:arrrh:!

[mabel]

Al Sharpton was the actual host of hardball today. It was real funny watching him stutter and fumble around. The guy can't read the teleprompter. The real funny thing was that the breaking news on the scooter liddy pardon happened and Al was not prepared for that and had now idea what to say. After that MSNBC decided to run a live version with a real host that knew something when they aired the second showing of that horrble show. So, I was left wondering "Wheres Al"?

[mendozathejew]

Word is - Imus to do hardball next week!
Did you get that AL:arrrh:!

really? is there a source

[badcellphoneguy]

There is also a rumor that since WABC in NYC has been sold to Citadel. Phil Boyce will be fired as program director and replaced with John Manelli. If this does happen. I definately see Farid Suleman giving Don Imus whatever he wants to be on Citadel stations throughout the USA. Plus could also sign with XM also and have it truly national.

For some reason I have a gut feeling he will goto WABC.

[Pat Battler]

There is also a rumor that since WABC in NYC has been sold to Citadel. Phil Boyce will be fired as program director and replaced with John Manelli. If this does happen. I definately see Farid Suleman giving Don Imus whatever he wants to be on Citadel stations throughout the USA. Plus could also sign with XM also and have it truly national.

For some reason I have a gut feeling he will goto WABC.

All indications are that he'll be back at WFAN

Where did you hear that about Phil Boyce?

[blotto98]

this just in.
Imus's first guest when he returns.......Homeless Charlie

[Blu Swade]

really? is there a source

Yeah! Fun Fact Thursday. Meeooww!

;)

[USCowboy69]

I hope they do bring him back. While I've never been an Imus fan (nothing against him, just never listened before), I am a proponent of free speech and he should have never been fired. His comments were blown way out of proportion. Hurtful and racist my ass! Ironically it was a couple nappy-headed ho's that raised such a stink!

[badcellphoneguy]

CBS didn't stand by Imus why would he go back. Goto WABC and bury WFAN in the morning ratings.

[mendozathejew]

it makes sense that hes heading back to wfan because mccord is still there, Id assume he stayed for a reason, and Imus has a relationship with the much of the staff there.

[circpro]

Biggest comeback in radio history if it indeed happens. Yes bigger than OnA coming to XM. I wish he would just come to XM and replace Bob" The Ghoul" Edwards.


They could put the I-Man on POTUS '08 and maybe someone will listen..

[uptown]

Opie's dad needs to work..... bring him back!

[SKEPTIC]

Bump


From TMZ

http://www.tmz.com/2007/07/28/trump-talks-lilo/


Imus/CBS May Settle

Shock jock Don Imus may not get his day in court. The drama-loving talk DJ is miffed that just before being fired in April for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy headed hos," he signed a five-year $40 million contract, reports the Daily News. He's threatened to sue CBS for more than $120 million in lost wages and damages, but now it looks like Imus and his former employer will reach an agreement out of court.

CBS argued that Imus was fired for cause, while lawyers for Imus insisted that his broadcaster's contract included a clause specifying that his "irreverent" and "controversial" program was "consistent with company rules and policy."

No word on whether Imus will end up back on-air.

[Kris_LTRMa]

Today's Newsday (Long Island newspaper)
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/ny-etimus295311998jul29,0,7729933.story


Imus' return to CBS radio unclear

July 29, 2007

Although there are signs that Don Imus is close to a settlement with CBS Radio, it's unclear whether a deal between the dismissed radio host and his former employer would put him back on the air, The Associated Press reported.

A person familiar with the case said Friday that the two sides were in the process of reaching an agreement that would pre-empt Imus' threatened $120 million breach of contract suit.

The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, is not authorized to speak publicly about the dispute.

Neither Imus' attorney nor CBS Radio would comment on any aspect of the case.

Imus was fired in April after directing a sexist, racial insult at the Rutgers women's basketball team.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who spearheaded the "Fire Imus" movement, said last week that he would not oppose the return of Imus, 67, to radio.

Just before his dismissal, Imus signed a five-year, $40 million contract. Famed First Amendment lawyer Martin Garbus said in May that Imus planned to sue CBS for $120 million in unpaid salary and damages, although the suit was never filed.

Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.

[Bill]

Today, Newsday is reporting that it looks like Boomer Esiason will be taking Imus' slot on WFAN.

Article (http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spwfan305313577jul30,0,3391848.story)

Boomer Esiason close to replacing Imus on WFAN
BY NEIL BEST
neil.best@newsday.com

July 30, 2007

CBS Radio and Boomer Esiason are close to an agreement to have Esiason become the morning host on WFAN, according to a person familiar with the talks, who last night said a deal is "imminent."

Esiason has been on the short list since Don Imus was fired April 13, but the situation has been muddled by Imus' legal status.

CBS Radio is expected to reach a settlement with him that would avoid litigation and allow him to leave for another station.

All of the parties involved have been hesitant to comment, in part because of the legal questions hanging over the case.

Esiason's agent, Steve Rosner, confirmed to Newsday last Tuesday that the sides were talking.

On Wednesday, Newsday cited multiple radio industry sources in reporting that any hope Imus loyalists had of his return to WFAN had evaporated.

Esiason himself hasn't commented since telling Newsday earlier this month that he hoped for a quick resolution so he could adjust his busy autumn schedule.

Most likely Esiason would retain his NFL studio work for CBS as well as his MSG show, but he might have to cut back on his schedule of "Monday Night Football" games on radio.

WFAN has been using fill-ins since Imus' ouster and will continue to do so through Labor Day, after which the new Esiason show is expected to debut.

Still unclear is the format and cast.

Craig Carton, 36, of the provocative "Jersey Guys" on 101.5-FM in New Jersey, is believed to be in line to join Esiason, 46.

Carton has a history of controversies, some racially charged.

That should make for an interesting debate if he is hired, given the way Imus departed. On April 4, he called members of the Rutgers women's basketball team -- which made a surprising run in the NCAA Tournament before falling in the title game -- "nappy-headed hos."

[jackjack]

Imus was fired in April after directing a sexist, racial insult at the Rutgers women's basketball team.



Imus was fired in April after making a joke about the Rugers Womens basketball team which offended some people.

There, I fixed it for you. Stupid reporter.
Sneaky way to editorialize in a news story, though. Most people wouldn't catch that.

[Kris_LTRMa]

Imus was fired in April after making a joke about the Rugers Womens basketball team which offended some people.

There, I fixed it for you. Stupid reporter.
Sneaky way to editorialize in a news story, though. Most people wouldn't catch that.

Newsday is left leaning so even if someone did catch it (like me), they'd roll their eyes and say 'Newsday's at it again' (like I did).

[aahpandasrun]

When is Imus coming on O&A, or O&A coming on Imus? I'd like to see a JIAMO show
Jimmy, Imus, Anthony, McCord, Opie

[Kris_LTRMa]

When is Imus coming on O&A, or O&A coming on Imus? I'd like to see a JIAMO show
Jimmy, Imus, Anthony, McCord, Opie


Since Imus still isn't on the air, I think there's a better chance of the I-man coming on OnA's show. Wonder why he hasn't been on yet :huh:

[SteveInAtl]

If he does (which i hope) he'll be bigger than ever!!!

[Mort]

Since Imus still isn't on the air, I think there's a better chance of the I-man coming on OnA's show. Wonder why he hasn't been on yet :huh:

Ensuing legal battles with O&A's employer would be my guess.

Or am I "Don't Get The Bit Guy?"

[Ballbuster1]

Good Morning America just did a piece on Imus' possible return to radio.
Several companies are dealing with him including CBS & Sirius. Daddy Mel
was on and said he'd have no problem hiring him. Al "the asshole" Sharpton
was also on and said he didn't care if Imus returned to radio but he'd be
following everything Imus said to be sure he didn't screw up again.
"He may become the poster boy for redemption" Al said.
What a fucking jerkoff.

[Mort]

If he went to Sirius, and was on one of those mysterious 11 channels that you can get with XM, and the merger actually goes through, and my current equipment could pick it up, I would conceivably pay the extra money to get his channel.

But what are the odds?

[Michael Ryder]

I can't see him going anywhere but terrestrial. Sure Mel is willing to take him on but I don't believe Don wants to to talk to 1/4th of his previous audience (if that) at this stage in his career. Still think he'll go back to the FAN.

[ChrisH]

Drudge is reporting exclusively that Imus will settle for $20M, and is setting the stage to be back on WABC here in NYC!!!

www.drudgereport.com

[LAX]

Good for Imus....I know my dad will be happy to have him back soon..

[CougarHunter]

Drudge is reporting exclusively that Imus will settle for $20M, and is setting the stage to be back on WABC here in NYC!!!

www.drudgereport.com

"Who saw that coming?"