Posted on 04/26/2007 8:21:14 PM PDT by LdSentinal
NEW YORK --Don Imus' former producer said Thursday that the radio exchange that got them both fired was wrong, but that it would be horrible if people could no longer poke fun at each other.
Bernard McGuirk, a 20-year producer and on-air jester for the "Imus in the Morning" program, was fired a week after his boss for the banter in which members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team were called "nappy-headed hos."
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."
The concept of "crossing the line" is hard to understand when it's not clear where the line is, he said.
"It's a horrible thing for this country where people can't poke fun at each other and just joke around, have a good time, without fear of being hammered by the PC police or lose your livelihood over it," he said.
If anyone should have been angry on the same level as Sharpton or the ‘girls’ basketball team’.... is the RC Church - the Cardinal Bernard used to do was a riot - and so filled with liable if anyone cared to find a lawsuit - but it was great comedy.
No doubt in ten years ‘human nature’ comedy will be wiped out except in private company behind closed doors.
I would love a show with Imus and Bernard on Fox. Bernie was great on Hannity last night. Had a number of fabulous one liners. The line about Sharpton using a wheelchair at a carnival to get to the head of the line was priceless!
That could be interesting. Before or after the current morning show?
I D A H O
Maybe Crystal Gail Mangum? :)
-isn’t sharpton a “nappy-headed media ho” ??? (me BAD!)
Al's hair is anything but 'nappy'. Perhaps if he didn't use so much hair spray....
has to be greased with hail gel........then the hair sray...and I would guess a case of grecian formula as well....
hail = hair
what about when Colmes said that Sharpton paid the price for the Freddie’s market incident-”it cost him a shot at the Presidency”
I watched the rebroadcast of H&C specifically to see this interview.
I was struck by the fear I saw in McGurks face, in his eyes. I was also struck by his constant use of the term ‘Mr Imus’ over and over and over.
Imus is a millionaire many times over. It doesn’t matter if he ever gets back on the air, he’ll never be eating cat food for dinner.
McGirk, however, is radioactive. He’s got a wife and kid and a mortgage. And I’d say after watching him closely, he’s frightened he’s ruined financially in addition to being ‘blackballed’ in his chosen profession.
How about curly headed? ......or red-headed...or.....
what about when Colmes said that Sharpton paid the price for the Freddies market incident-it cost him a shot at the Presidency
In his dreams!
Ever since then I’ve been experimenting in “proactive apologetics” with my people here at work. We engage in quite a bit of rather rough humor with each other, and sometimes I’ve said that “if I unintentionally offended anyone... I’m sorry.” I’m finding that even in jest, apologizing does nothing but weaken your position. For example, if I apologize for rough humor, that means the rough humor of my friends must be ok, and they’re just as bad as me.
How about bald-headed. How about grey-headed. Whats your point?
My point is nappy-headed is a true statement....so it red headed....jeeeeeeesh!
I said nappy-headed ho’s was not right. If you think calling the team nappy-headed whores is ok, that’s your right. I guess Imus must have had inside information that these players were prostitutes.
I recommend Rogaine, Grecian Formula and perhaps a change of friends.
There ya go.
Maybe "instead of."
Imus or Bernie would probably only work well either really late at night or really early in the morning. I guess I shouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen. If Fox News were to hire Imus, all the libs would be crying racism all over again. And maybe Imus wouldn't be the same Imus after this persecution by Sharpton and his gang.
I get the impression Imus figures time is on his side and that it heals all wounds. If his health holds up, I'd like to see the I-Man make a roaring comeback and call Sharpton a fat dirtbag during his first minute back on the air.
I agree. He seemed very cautious, especially early in the interview. Only in the last few minutes, did he loosen up and let go of some zingers. He called Sharpton a terrorist for good reason. If Bernie is offered any kind of high-profile job in the near future, we can bet Sharpton and his thugs will try to terrorize the employer into withdrawing the offer. The N.O.W. gang might even get into the act again.
Fox News Channel ought to do the right thing and hire this very talented producer/comic. Bernie might actually be more talented than Imus, and I'm pretty sure he's more conservative-friendly than Imus.
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