McGuirk on H&C…
The AP has a story on Bernard McGuirk’s appearance last night on Hannity & Colmes…
McGuirk, in an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity & Colmes,” said he “didn’t get the memo” that the phrase ‘hos’ had reached the level of the n-word in offensiveness. But apologies to the Rutgers team were appropriate, he said.
But McGuirk said he and Imus had engaged in the same locker-room humor for many years, and received pats on the back and raises from their superiors before CBS Radio fired them this time.
He sharply criticized the Rev. Al Sharpton, who led the campaign to get them fired.
“It seemed like he terrorized broadcast executives,” he said. “It seemed like they were in a fetal position under their desks sucking their thumbs on their Blackberrys, trying to coordinate their response.”
I feel bad for Bernie concerning the entire incident. After just signing a new five(5) year deal, the whole thing is drag. Imus is a mega-millionaire who was thinking about retiring anyway. However, I’m sure Bernie, with two(2) young children, was planning to work for many years to come. He made a great point by saying he didn’t know that “Ho” was elevated to the same level as the N word, as he’s been saying it regularly for many years.
Comment by Objective Analyst — April 27, 2007 @ 9:35 am
“But McGuirk said he and Imus had engaged in the same locker-room humor for many years, and received pats on the back and raises from their superiors before CBS Radio fired them this time.”
THIS is his justification?
Comment by Shaun — April 27, 2007 @ 9:39 am
I think his point was that the suits should have stopped them years ago if they found it so offensive instead of waiting until Al Sharpton deemed it so.
Comment by SOPHIA — April 27, 2007 @ 10:52 am
I was so glad to see Bernard M. on H&C last night. I definitely feel the remark was inappropriate, but it should not cause someone(s) to lose their job(s). I agree with him about Al Sharpton and J. Jackson of all people to call him and Imus out. I hope I see Iman and Bernie on the air again and I would love it if it were fnc. They give everyone a chance.
Comment by cathy — April 27, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Exactly, obviously Immus, McGuirk & Co. were generating too much in advertising revenue for the suits to notice or care what they said. I doubt the suits cared after the “incident” until the advertisers began to jump ship.
Comment by Buck — April 27, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
Shaun, the point our colleagues are making is that Imus et al have been doing this EXACT SAME THING for YEARS, and their behavior was so well accepted by advertisers and CBS/MSNBC that Imus and the gang were just recently (i.e., a month or so ago) awarded a new FIVE YEAR CONTRACT!!! The ONLY thing that was different this time around is that Al Sharpton got involved, period.
And it was VERY recently (maybe the week prior to his dismissal), I believe, that MSNBC decided to simulcast the full four hours of his program (three had been simulcast for most of his tenure at MSNBC). So the suits were VERY happy with Imus and his performance, including the many insults they hurled toward everyone.
Comment by Missy — April 27, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
He was fired up last night… very interesting interview.
Comment by ImNotBlue — April 27, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
He also pointed out that their show runs in a competitive environment and thet they are competing against shows that are alot coarser than what they did. In order to get ratings, they are almost forced to push the envelope. Not that they didn’t go too far this time because they did. It seems that you need to be a bit ‘irreverent’ to get the ratings. Those ratings attract the big sponsers who drop you like a hot potato when you go too far. Then the talent gets fired. Are P&G or Bigelow Tea sponsering the “Morning Mess” over at MSNBC now? Chances are, if they are it’s at a discount because no one is watching…
Comment by Bill — April 27, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
get over it! imus should have NEVER said what he did and he’s paying the price. that basketball team won a championship and didnt deserve to be called anything more than champions.
Comment by Me — April 27, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
they lost…
Comment by dt — April 27, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
Me, actually Rutgers didn’t win the championship, they lost to Tennessee.
I’m not condoning what Imus said in any way, but the Rutgers team gained more exposure than they ever would have otherwise. Also, it didn’t take long for the Rutgers coach to sign a book deal. I understand she has been through extreme adversity but the timing was interesting.
Comment by Buck — April 27, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
My impression of Mr. McGuirk, “diversion.” Imus has used the words, “slut,” in reference to his wife, used the word, “jigaboo,” in reference to the Rutgers team, (these are not from the hip-hop culture, but from the, “shows standards, or lack there-of.” Imus lied to Mike Wallace in regards to the use of the word, “n*****.” Mc Guirk and McCord are complicit, bottom line.
Comment by Beth Kirkland — April 27, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Oh, well, the current ratings are speaking volumes. I predict scratch this week. Say no more.
Comment by Anne — April 30, 2007 @ 9:07 pm