Imus returns in the fall?
This rumor is really growing. I’ve been watching it percolate for the past couple of weeks, mostly on Imus fan sites who want the I-man back on the air. However, yesterday it showed up on Journalisms and The New York Post, albeit in a non-denial denial sort of way (which isn’t saying much if you ask me).
A spokeswoman for CBS Radio would not confirm or deny a report in the New York Post on Monday that disgraced radio host Don Imus, removed in April from CBS-owned WFAN Radio in New York after racist and sexist banter, might return to the station.
“Imus maybe hitting the FAN again,” Don Kaplan wrote in Monday’s story.
“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.”
Regardless of whatever happens on WFAN, it’s pretty safe to assume there will be no return to MSNBC. That bridge wasn’t just burned. It was nuked. The only way Imus could possibly be allowed back is if the entire NBC News division’s hierarchy was replaced. And that’s not going to happen.
I am counting the days until he returns - my whole morning routine has been ruined because of this ridiculous mess (he should never have been fired to begin with, no way). He made MSNBC so much money that I bet another tv station will pick him up when he comes back on the radio, be stupid not to because all of his fans are still out here ready to support him and the advertisers who come along. Otherwise, I’ll stream the show online which is fine too. BRING IMUS BACK!!!
Comment by jules — July 3, 2007 @ 10:11 am
never say never, but then again there is always other networks who wouldnt mind having imus if that was the case
Comment by Zak — July 3, 2007 @ 10:13 am
MSNBC throttled Imus to protect the “Today Show Franchise”. Roker and Lauer took their best shot at Imus took him down but he’s not out.
Best case scenario; Imus returns to the ‘FAN simulcast by Fox Business Channel along with XM/Sirius and distributed by Westwood to local affiliates.
Comment by channelXRFR — July 3, 2007 @ 10:34 am
FBC will not cede the early morning business news to CNBC. No way. No how. So no Imus on FBC…
Comment by Spud — July 3, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Imus on the radio again is only my prophecy half fulfilled. MESS-NBC’s loss will be some other networks gain. So be afraid…be very afraid for the I-MAN & his crew will rise again from the ashes if unwarranted disgrace and his detrators will rue the day of his fall from grace. I will then laugh all the way to yet another, sure to come, radio award. The TV will love him as well. Another “comeback kid” if you will, and you can take that to the bank!
Comment by Roger C. — July 3, 2007 @ 10:55 am
It wouldn’t shock me either way at this point. If he comes back or if he is or isn’t back on MSNBC. And Imus fired plenty of shots at the today show as he was on MSNBC I’m sure some of the shots he took from that in response to all of that and when it was easy to pile on.
Comment by Chad — July 3, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Spud,
What if Imus settles with CBS? and then he is a Free to go where ever he wants. This is a rumor that WFAN is putting Imus back on in the Fall. If CBS and NBC are going to bring back their talent, they have to start talking him back up not tearing him down with coverage like racist and sexist…it was a joke gone bad, and it was selective outrage, I watched Imus in the Morning. Considering what it has done to these network’s viewership, they should have been at this damage control alot earlier. Imus may take his Ball and go play in another “Playground” Getting back together in the Fall, was put in context, in one way or another, if not on WFAN then maybe together somewhere else.
Comment by Ree — July 3, 2007 @ 11:02 am
All this Imus return talk is the best news in over 80 days. I cannot wait for his first show back…wonder who his guests will be or more importantly, who will NOT be on? You know some of the phonies will be on their knees begging for forgiveness. I can’t imagine people like David Gregory not begging to come back on so Imus can pump him up.
Comment by J G — July 3, 2007 @ 11:08 am
First off, don’t believe anything from the NY Post TV section. Don Kaplan and Michael Starr are both writers with a spotty track record of accuracy.
Spud: As I have written before, Imus to FBC would be a brilliant move for Roger Ailes and Neil Cavuto. It would give the new network instant buzz and also be a huge poke in the eye of both Imus’ and Ailes’ former bosses!
Bring it on!
Comment by Ira — July 3, 2007 @ 11:27 am
I hate to read “Imus fall from grace”. He didn’t fall he was pushed by a bunch of hypocrites but his faithful fans have provided a safty net and when he is ready we (his fans) will propel him back to his rightful place bigger and better than ever. It looks like msnbc is getting used to 4th place in cable and 5th place is making room for them.
Comment by Eden — July 3, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Imus will be back and better than ever. I cannot wait! I listened to the clips WFAN ran of Imus last week and they made it clear they expect to have him back in September. His fans are waiting, we’ll support the advertisers - it’s a win-win situation for whoever brings him back.
Comment by melanie — July 3, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Ira nailed it…..I’ve said since mid-April, The I-Man on FBC will be brilliant!
Comment by Nick D. — July 3, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Imus is very popular with financial types, recall the Imans remote broadcasts from NYSE and World Financial Center. Also his demographic of affluent baby boomers is attractive to financial based advertisers. Imus could set up the day in a “Wall Street Journal Page One” approach then at 9am swing the programming over to more intense market coverage.
Not saying your wrong its just one scenario. Other scenarios could include Comedy Central or another Viacom channel looking to develop a morning presence.
Comment by channelXRFR — July 3, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
I can not wait for the day
when I will hear the sweet jingle again “Imus in the morning”
Comment by patti — July 3, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
I posted here a couple of weeks ago speculating on Imus’s return to WFAN (though not MSNBC), and the evidence of that seems pretty strong.
1. Imus has been totally silent, and even Bernard has disappeared from the public eye. There have been no rumors of Imus looking at other satellite or terrestrial opportunities. Also, there has been no public wrangling over the contract. The most likely scenario is that CBS has told him to stay mum so that they can quietly bring him back after Labor Day.
2. WFAN hasn’t found or even hinted at a morning replacement. Whenever the subject is broached on air, Imus friends Charles and Mike Francesa make obvious references to Imus’s return.
3. Charles McCord remains on WFAN in the Imus time slot and Rob Bartlett is even buying ads in the time slot.
4. As noted in the Post story, they ran a show the other day of classic music performances from the Imus show. With Imus’s (albeit canned) voice once again allowed over the WFAN airwaves, the leap to bringing him back does not seem that large.
5. Bringing him back after Labor Day would constitute a suspension of nearly six months, plus the loss of the MSNBC platform. That’s a significant penalty. The original penalty was light, and WFAN made it worse by having Mike Francesa argue that it was sufficiently harsh because the two-week suspension was during “spring book.”
Comment by chalmers — July 3, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
NBC is now having Al Sharpton host on MessNBC. We know where they stand on their facts. Imus will be back wherever he wants with the exception of NBC. I agree the the bridge is nuked over there. I just hope he goes somewhere where he can be free to conduct his type of humor without oversensitive people analyzing every word.
Comment by Tom — July 3, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
I am happy that messbc can’t find anyone else but scumbro. His show is unwatchable. I put it on a few times to see how bad it really was and man I couldn’t even give it the 5 minutes I alotted to it!! Imus TV fans I feel bad for you; I hope someone has the sense to pick him up for both TV & radio. I don’t think he’d ever go back to mess, even if they threw him a parade!! As I said, if this had happened after 9 am where he’s off TV, probably this would never have happened.
Comment by Mary Lynn — July 3, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Who says that we Imus fans want Imus to be back on MSNBC?
I, for one, am happy to never have to subject myself to that network ever again. It’s like growing out of a bad relationship—once you move on, you never look back. TODAY is so yesterday, it’s not even missed. Imus does not need them; he has many options. I hope he chooses wisely.
Comment by cr — July 3, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
Wherever Imus returns, I will follow. Simple as that. He’s a master interviewer and he talks about subjects I want to hear about - not Paris Hilton and American Idol for instance. I really miss the live music too. Morning Joe lost me with his awful interviewing - he’d ask the stupidest questions and interupt someone mid-sentence with a stupid comment - just awful television. I now watch Clifford the Big Red Dog with my toddler which is pure torture but Morning Joe is worse.
Comment by jules — July 3, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
Sharpeton got what he wanted, Imus off the air and apparently a sub-hosting gig at MSNBC. He must be oh-so-very proud of himself. Too bad MSNBC’s morning ratings landed in the toilet immediately after Imus’s forced departure.
Comment by Alison — July 3, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
MSNBC is letting Sharpton sub-host? I’m glad I turned off that station back in April ; boycotting was the best thing I could have done. The way I see it: Imus was crucified but folks, there’s a big resurrection coming here in a few months and those who betrayed or backstabbed the I-Man: be afraid, be VERY afraid. Imus has a few loyal people who supported him: Bo Dietl, Mike and the Mad Dog, Pat Buchanan –are names that come to mind. And lots of his fans have hung in there and kept posting comments.Don Imus was treated terribly and he is missed. I am counting the days until he appears again on the radio and /or on television and I’ll be right there listening.
Comment by Kathy McCord Bennett — July 3, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Mr. Imus can write his own ticket at this point and that’s great. He’s “The Bomb”; there is NOBODY who can hold a candle to the Iman. Can’t wait ’till he’s back!!
Comment by Ava N. — July 3, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Irene Dunaway Miami Florida I am an elderly lady and the sun rises and sets in Mister Imus. I used to look at him on television every morning, I miss Mister Imus and I hope he will be back soon. With love, Irene Dunaway
Comment by Irene Dunaway, Miami Florida — July 3, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
1. Imus is not coming back to MSNBC. Ever. You really need to accept reality.
2. Imus is not coming to FBC. Doesn’t matter how brilliant it would be, it would be totally stupid for other reasons. Chief among them the fact that FBC needs those hours for business news. It’s like MSNBC not being a news channel in the mornings when Imus was on. Same rule applies for FBC and business.
Comment by Spud — July 3, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Spud, more reality: We Imus fans have long ago rejected MSNBC/NBC. There are other options for Imus.
Comment by cr — July 3, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
I agree with spud, mediamatters, sharpton, DNC would never let Imus return to MSDNC, but for Fox to not pick him up cause of business news slot, don’t agree there! Imus on FOX would put him right in the hen house so to speak.
Comment by ditmar — July 3, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Imus on FBC would score much higher ratings in the morning than any pre-market opening talk show. CNBC’s ratings are pathetic. Fox wouldn’t do much better. So Imus on FBC from 6-9a would make a lot of sense. There’s still 1/2 hour to go before the market opens.
Comment by PF — July 3, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Ain’t gonna happen clones. I have no doubt Imus will be back; I never doubted it. But not MSNBC and not FBC.
Comment by erljr — July 3, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
There are other options besides MSNBC and FBC. To name a few: Comedy Central, USA, FX, even DirecTV! MSNBC and Scarborough deserve each other, why upset a perfect relationship?
Comment by cr — July 3, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
Spud,
You must have some idea, what you think would work for Imus in the Morning, if not FBC what do you see in your crystal ball? I am thinking a network that has the capability to simulcast him again..so radio and tv… CBS? Could CBS move Imus around to their network channel? Otherwise I just see XM or Sirus Radio. Fox has radio and tv?
Comment by Ree — July 3, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE I man to come back.April until now has so sucked in the mornings. My fingers are crossed for a fall return.
Comment by patti — July 3, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
it seems he has mended fences at CBS Radio…as far as simulcast TV, I think there’ll be something…Definitely not on MSNBC…he will lose Russert, Gregory, Mitchell, et al…which is too bad…not sure about FBC…don’t think it’s a good match…but can’t imagine he’ll just come back on radio…he has had a national tv audience for over 10 years…he was only carried on 70 radio stns. He was not on radio in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale market…which is a big market….sure we can stream him on WFAN, but he needs a national TV audience…that will be intereesting to see….
Comment by cas — July 4, 2007 @ 7:27 am
years ago, I signed up for cable so I could get Imus after the local station in Ft. Wayne changed their format from talk to smooth jazz. When IMUS returns I will do whatever is necessary to get his broadcast. He may be an old coot, but he is the best interviewer in the business — As Peggy March sang so sweetly, “I will follow him!!”
Comment by Audra Wilcoxson — July 4, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
#33: me too! amen!
Comment by cas — July 5, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
I’m guessing there are millions who would follow him wherever he goes…personally, my summer has been so BLAH without him…I think I am addicted to him…and I consider myself to be very independent…not someone who would normally get involved in something as seemingly silly as a radio show host and his problems, but I really need to have him back…I won’t be whole until he is…I know, I sound pathetic….
Comment by carrie elkin — July 5, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
I know a lady with terminal cancer who is hoping Imus returns soon before something happens to her so she can have a smile on her face at the end of her life. Doesn’t anybody out there in tv-land have a heart?
Comment by Anne B. — July 5, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Clearly no one has a heart or a brain, or for that matter, a plan…obviously I’m speaking about MSNBC.
Comment by carrie elkin — July 6, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Is there anyone who did’t cringe when the MNSNBC came on. Russert shilling a book. Gregory swarmy and rude. Andrea Mitchell lost in her beltway dinner party conversation. I would love the old days. Imus on the Fan unfettered and free. I miss Dennis from Boston and the other crazy callers and I do not miss that boring Newsweek crew who turned on him the moment they lined up with Al Sharpton.
Comment by Margaret — July 6, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
see, lots of lokel-yokel DJs around the country, who have there own little local talk shows, at 10,ooo watt stations, were quite excited to see Imus go. But they have discovered that NO talent means no-talent - Imus’ leaving didn’t help their lousy little local shows (like WVOM-FM 103.9fm, Bangor, Maine = phew what a self-loving stinker of a show).
People have just gone elsewhere. There is only one Imus, and I am so glad he might be back!
Comment by tammi moore — July 9, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
tell msnbc to bring back imus,and ill watch them again
Comment by ron bergner — July 9, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Most mornings I just turn off the radio during my one hour commute. I have been lsiteneing to Imus since the 70’s on WNBC 660…………he is an icon of my life…….I am lost without him and look forward to hearing him the am again
Comment by john wevers — July 9, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
I heard on ESPN radio yesterday (The Herd) that Imus was coming back..he probably read it in the paper that was mentioned above. Just like everyone else I have been lost without Imus. I even went out bought and Sirius radio a few weeks back because I am just sick of the crap of what it out there. Back in April when this all went down Mike and the Maddog went off. I had always respected them and would listen to there show most of the time..but sometimes they could be annoying(Boston fan)..but they are the best in what they do hands down..that said when Maddog started taking names on the air as well as Mike I had a new found respect for them. I looked at them killing Keith Olberman, David Gregory, Dodd, Tim Russert, Matthews, Joe Biden, and even Mike Lupica as being loyal to Imus and I really appreciate that.Very few people defended him(the firing) and I really hope Imus remembers those who didn’t. The names mentioned above have caused me to make my own official phony list. Basically this means I refuse to watch any show they are on or purchase or promote anything they stand for. This mean’s no Lupica book’s or ever watching 60 minutes again..this is because after firing him they ran a segment(i think from the mid 90’s) on him..basically they fired him and less than a week later are making money off of him..what a double standard.
I know when he return’s his number will be better than they have been. We as Imus fans never had our say in this and by giving him great ratings we show we stand united as well.
Comment by B. Smith — July 10, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
Even my wife, who used to think Imus crude and disgusting, can’t wait for him to come back. I (and, by osmosis, she) have been listening/watching Don continuously since 1988, and the ‘FAN and MSNBC replacements have been terrible. I like Mike and Chris, but sticking to sports, and maybe movie reviews - their take on current events and politics is embarrassingly simplistic and without nuance. None of the out-of-town jocks brought in for tryouts were nearly as smart or clever as Imus and his crew. The only saving grace for the FAN has been the continued presence (for contractual reasons, no doubt) of Charles McCord and Lou Ruffino, with an occasional hilarious dose of Rob Bartlett. New York radio is crying uncle and fixing a bunch of mistakes this summer (ie. K-Rock, CBS-FM) - hopefully the best is yet to come after Labor Day. Can’t wait for Dierdre’s Greening the Cleaning commercials.
Comment by Jon — July 10, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
For years my husband and I set our alarms for 6:00 a.m. and started our day with Imus. We, too, as so many have written above, have been lost without him for all these months. When his show was canceled, we felt like someone in our family had died. The thought of an Imus return is music to my ears; hopefully we will all be hearing that little jingle “Imus in the morning” soon!
Comment by Peggy — July 10, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
Imus must come back to TV,his facial expressions are something else, one can almost read his mind at times.
He didnt deserve to be fired! Hopefully he will be back in the Fall,I cant wait. We are wanting you back on TV Imus!
Comment by Patsu — July 11, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
Now that the rumors are flying how about NBC, WFAN, MSNBC appologize to Imus! They know they cut off their nose to spite their face, and don’t they look stupid! Talk about Hos that is exactly what the radio and tv stations are when they listen to sponsors and not their listeners. Bring Imus back and He will be KING of the air ways again. By the way where are his friends all this time??? The Childrens Hospital in Hackensack University Hospital, The politicians who loved to be on the air with him, or the newspaper writers, and the authors and the ecomonic advisors who were frequent guests, or the musicians and last but not least whaere are the God Squad the Monsignor and the Rabbi???? Fair weather friends??? With friends like that who needs enemies? Hurry babck Imus I miss you but put it to those idiots first!
Comment by Rita — July 14, 2007 @ 10:20 am
If Michael Savage can be aired, why cant Imus….how can Jerry Springer stay on the air, Springer is about as crude as it gets, it’s not even really real, all the guests are told to go over the top when they are on. Not that they are not loosers, just not as big of loosers as they appear to be.
Comment by Chris — July 17, 2007 @ 10:32 pm
Bring back Imus! He was the real deal!
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