Karith Foster and Tony Powell embrace role in show's new diversity.
The two African American additions to Don Imus' radio show say their role is an integral part of the radio veteran's overall upgrade, but are his critics buying it?
"I can only wait and see if his deeds will follow up his words," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who spearheaded an effort to get Imus fired from CBS Radio for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hoes."
"The fact that he now has a black sidekick and that he's on delay clearly may speak of some of the measures that his new employers have put in to make sure that there's not a repeat offense," Sharpton told the Associated Press.
Imus himself hired black comedians Karith Foster and Tony Powell to the mix for his new nationally-syndicated show on Citadel Broadcasting Corp's WABC.
Calling herself Imus' "new sidekick," Foster said after Monday's premiere broadcast that she hoped those who were most angered by Imus' racist and sexist comments could feel represented by her on the air.
"They want change, and what better way to incite change than from the inside?" said the comedienne, who grew up in Plano Texas in an "affluent suburb north of Dallas with the ethnic diversity of a Klan rally," her Web site states.
"I think I can speak from the viewpoint of an African-American, and especially one who can see and understand both sides," she said. "I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood but obviously my family is black. I have black friends, and I live in Harlem. I see and can understand where everybody's coming from, which I think makes for a great mediator."
Powell, an East New York-born comic who has performed on "Showtime at the Apollo," says he is by no means a token.
Imus "actually wanted to improve the quality of his show, and so he went out and he got talented individuals to help him improve the quality of the show," Powell said. "The proof is in the pudding and the proof is in the product."
But Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, says she still has a few issues with the new hiring.
"Why comedians?" she asked of the new hires. "That's the only thing women and blacks can do is be funny? I don't find that encouraging." But, she added, "We have to wait and see what their contributions in fact are."
Foster also spoke about her Imus gig to essence.com, addressing the possible perception that she is a sellout, and providing her take on the infamous three-word insult that got Imus in trouble. Here are some excerpts:
On what it’s like to work with Don Imus:
• “He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He does have the grumpy old man demeanor. I’m not saying that is not who he is. That is definitely part of who he is. But he is definitely a very kind, gentle person. If I hadn’t seen that side, if I wasn’t aware of that side, then I don’t think this would be a position I would have considered.”
On being his sidekick:
• “Well, I am not here to defend the man. I am also not paid to be his policeman. I am here to contribute to a historically entertaining show. I have no issue whatsoever speaking up when I feel the need to. I feel as if I am here to represent. That is another reason I took the job. What an opportunity to be a positive role model, not just for African-Americans and not just for women, but especially African-American women.”
On Imus’ “nappy-headed hoes” comment:
• “Listening to it and having heard the actual recording of the nappy-headed hoes (incident), it was so obvious it wasn’t malicious. He was an old white guy trying to be young and hip and use the modern vernacular. And it wasn’t funny.”
On being considered a sellout:
• “I weighed that and thought about that. What outweighed that is when I thought about what good I can do. If people would call me a sellout, I’d have to say they don’t know me at all, and I am sorry they feel that way. I would hope and prefer they would see this as an opportunity to have a form of representation where there previously was none.”
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