An open letter to Don Imus, from Jacobs Media’s Dave Beasing:
Dear Mr. Imus,
Welcome back to radio! For your listeners, mornings just haven’t been the same.
Comedy isn’t easy, nor was the way your career at WFAN ended. It’s difficult to consistently be funny without offending someone, and you didn’t deserve to be depicted as a monster. On the other hand, your new deal with WABC is probably a lucrative one, as someone with your increased name recognition deserves. You’re fine.
So who paid the price for your lapse in judgment? Certainly, the young women on that basketball team head the list. And so does radio. While NAB President David Rehr and his team are busy reminding Congress about all the good things that local broadcasters do, you sent a different message directly to their constituents – that this industry has sometimes been racist, sexist, and downright stupid.
Radio needs big stars like you. Most of us are sincerely happy about your return. But do us a favor. Please use your immense talent to everyone’s benefit. In return, we’ll be listening, laughing and loving your show. Deal?
Respectfully,
Dave Beasing
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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I sense a little sarcasm in your blog. Don Imus made a mistake, apologized and was forgiven by the ones he insulted.
So now is the time to move on. His 5 years with Citadel Broadcasting and RFD-TV will expire and he may very well retire.
And the ones who suffered most for him being illegally fired. We the listeners and supporters. Capus and Moonves didn’t think about that. They are the ones who are paying big time now.
All humor is offensive. If you’re not offending someone, you’re not being funny. It seems that only Americans worry about it.
Dave,
With all respect, you’re wrong. It is not possible for any performer to use their talent “to everyone’s benefit.” The deal you proffer is, at best, naive. Let’s permit JD to do his act and allow the marketplace to decide. Charles Bukowski said “As the spirit wanes, the form appears.” The last thing we need is some PC version of Imus. We would be better off if he and his producers invited D.L. Hughley, Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Bernie Mac and other self-made gentlemen of color to guest during the first week with the expressed purpose of balancing the scorecard. That first week would not only be a teachable moment but worth thirty or forty million in cable tv news promotion.
NO!! Actually I don’t want a neutered Imus, I want him to comeback and be even more bombastic if at all possible. How about we stop with the victimization culture, in this country and get back to the sticks and stones rule. There is Nothing in the Constitution that says a person has the right not to be offended. Politically Correct Speech is Socialist Culture not American Culture. The remedy for Unpopular Speech is NOT less Speech it is more Speech. Like your Free Speech, thank an American Military Service Person…and remember your an American, and try to stop sounding like such a Pussy! Nappy Headed Ho, they are only WORDS.