Imus To Beck: “Sean Hannity, Rush, They Both Hate You”

Well here’s your takeaway from Don Imus‘ first day on Fox Business Network – a lengthy interview with his new colleague in the Fox family, Glenn Beck. (Here’s more on the debut.)

The seven minute interview that took place in studio during the 7amET hour of Imus’ FBN show never got serious, but the jovial atmosphere did allow Imus to put Beck on the hot seat. Specifically, about whether Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh hate him.

The beginning of the interview was largely based around Imus and Beck reflecting at their time as alcoholics, and how they turned their lives around. Also, we know the last drink each had: Imus preferred vodka, while Beck was going with Jack Daniel’s. Each joked about their respective friends warning them about it ‘not ending well’ between the two friends who disagree politically. “If I’m found dead in the street it’s either Van Jones or Don Imus,” said Beck.

But the most interesting moment came as Imus made Beck squirm. “I saw you on the cover of Time magazine, your book’s number one, I noticed, this week. Sean Hannity, Rush they both hate you,” said Imus. It led to this exchange:

Beck: No they don’t.
Imus: They all hate you. You’re telling me Rush is happy you’re on the cover of Time?
B: I actually got a note from Rush.
I: What did it say?
B: (pause) “I hate you.” No Rush has been really very gracious.

Jason Linkins of The Huffington Post recently explored the idea Hannity was “scared” of Beck and his wide-ranging success, and we’ve compared Beck and Limbaugh here before. But confronting Beck on-air with the topic, even in a humorous way, was a surprise. But it’s the kind of surprise Don Imus likely has a lot more of.

At the end of the interview, Imus turned self-deprecating as he brought up Beck’s ‘Obama is racist’ comments from earlier in the summer. “If you were to say that here, I would have gotten blamed,” joked Imus.

Here’s the full interview:

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