Imus Is Finally Forgiven, By Fox At Least

by Helen Zhang | 12:53 pm, September 3rd, 2009

» 10 comments

donimus-726652 Confirming buzz from last month that he was in talks with Fox Business to simulcast his radio show “Imus in the Morning,” Don Imus, in all his controversial glory, will be back on mainstream air in just a few short weeks (Since 2007 he’s been broadcast on RFD-TV). The popular radio personality just signed a multi-year deal with Fox Business Channel, according to a press release today.

FBN’s Executive Vice President Kevin Magee gave nothing short of accolades to Imus:

“We’re excited to welcome a renowned broadcaster like Don Imus to the FOX Business team. His 40 years of on-air experience combined with his superb interviewing skills and capitalist sensibilities will be a great addition to our lineup.”

But to the rest of the world, he’s still known as the guy who got kicked off MSNBC and CBS Radio when he “made derogatory comments … about a group of African American female basketball players.” So far, every source that added to the buzz before the deal was announced, whether it was Mediaite, Gawker or the New York Times, has commented on the nappy-headed hos incident. The unfortunate slip of words has overshadowed his career and personal life for a while now – earlier this year, Imus was apparently battling stage two prostate cancer. Yet in recent articles discussing the FBN deal, the focus is still on the 2-year-old incident.

But if controversy’s good for anything it’s gaining visibility. And that’s exactly what FBN hopes to achieve through this deal, according to the New York Times with its headline “Fox Business Needs a Lift. Could It Be Don Imus?” which was later picked up by Huffington Post, who further speculated, “Don Imus, Fox Business’ Turning Point? Host Could Lift Network’s Visibility, Ratings.”

CNBC, FBN’s main competitor, currently has about 11 times the upstart’s audience. It won’t be easy for Fox Business to catch up anytime soon, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the big mouth of badass Imus gave them a small bump in ratings.

Don Imus, Fox Business, fox news, Imus

http://the-w.com/ CRZ

Free proofreading for you:

…when he “made derogatory comments he made…

Also, I think that headline says he could LIFT visibility and ratings, not LIFE them.

I’ll bill you later.
Cecelia

‘“We’re excited to welcome a renowned broadcaster like Don Imus to the FOX Business team. His 40 years of on-air experience combined with his superb interviewing skills and capitalist sensibilities will be a great addition to our lineup.”’

Poor…poor… Mr FBN Executive Vice President…

No amount of sucking up is going to stop FBN and FNC from being the early morning target of curmudgeonly wrath, ranting, and satire.

(So glad that I will once again be able to watch the I-Man in action!)
Blue Shadow

I-Man in action? Is that even possible? I don’t even think his bowels move these days.
Martiniman

Unfortunate and truly insensitive comment aside(god knows he’s made much worse in his career), I-Man’s cynical take on all things political is usually spot on.
StewartIII

ChickaBOOMer — Imus: “I love Fox. Roger Ailes is the pre-eminent genius of American broadcasting. Who wouldn’t want to do this?”
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/09/imus-i-love-fox-roger-ailes-is-pre.html
http://mikechimeriblog.com Mike C.

I just hope this finally motivates Cablevision to add FBN to its lineup. They’re one of the few remaining holdouts.
libra blue

“A small bump in ratings?” You might be very surprised. I’ll be interested in seeing the ratings after Imus is added to the lineup. Remember no one could have predicted Beck’s bump in popularity
MikeTheMouth

Imus suffered through the humiliation of appearting on Rev Al’s radio show. That in itself proves Imus has the guts to sit at the same table as that piece of dogmeat without killing him. Al Sharpton is a minor league version of Jesse jackass. Remeber Jesse of “I got caught with my dic in the wrong place”
Why these so called Reverends are given a voice on top rated news shows is a mystery to me.
They have their own reasons for stabbing folks in the back IT IS CALLed DONATIONS.
I like Imus, his wife and the daily show they produce. I missed them when MSNBC lacked the guts to back him.
Looking forward to their return………..warts and all
maryannek

Thank you FOX! I’ve missed the I-Man on TV in the morning. I am thrilled! Morning Joe is just NOT good; in fact it’s awful. MSNBC will never learn!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Van-Brunt/1730504135 Bruce Van Brunt

As Imus said this morning on WABC Radio. Paraphrased: “I’m going to kick some a*s for that time slot at MSNBC”.

It is good for Imus and good for the Fox Business Network.