also in today’s Herald:
When asked if Imus could return to WTKK, station spokeswoman Heidi Raphael said today: “As you know, we are pursuing another avenue for mornings and we expect to prevail.”
In the days after the remarks and before CBS and MSNBC gave Imus got the boot, WTKK was willing to give him another chance. “I’m not going to take him off the air,” Peter Smyth, chief executive of Greater Media Inc., which owns WTKK, told the Herald at the time.
“I would very much like to see him come back and see what he can do,” Smyth said. “If this behavior happens again, then all bets are off.”
Carr’s legal battle to take over Imus’ old morning drive spot on WTKK heads to a court hearing on Monday. WRKO (680 AM) continues to tout him as their host even though he’s been off the air for nearly three weeks.
Newsday reports that Imus will return to radio in early December on WABC in New York. ABC Radio is owned by Citadel Broadcasting, which owns nearly 250 radio stations nationwide. Ex-sidekick Bernard McGuirk is expected to be on the show.
In April, Imus was famously fired from the CBS-owned WFAN in New York after calling members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed ho’s.” His syndicated show was heard on more than 60 stations and was simulcast on MSNBC.
Earlier today, the National Association of Black Journalists urged Citadel Broadcasting chief executive Farid Suleman and Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes to halt negotiations to return Imus to radio and TV.
The group had called for Imus to be fired last spring after the Rutgers remarks.
In a statement, the organization said recent reports that Imus is in informal talks with Fox Chairman Roger Ailes and is finalizing contractual details with Citadel Broadcasting are unimaginable.
“NABJ remains outraged after the racially inflammatory insults made by Don Imus last spring. He used his free speech to broadcast hate speech. To put him back on the air now makes light of his serious and offensive racial remarks that are still ringing in the ears of people all over this country,” said Barbara Ciara, NABJ president.
HOWIE we miss you,,,,,,,,great column on the dapper, keep 'em coming and keep fighting for your space on WTKK, hoping to hear you on the air waves, SOON, real SOON!