Commentary: Despite Ire Over Imus’ Comments, Many of Us Believe Exactly What We Accuse Him of Saying

By: Gregory Kane, BlackAmericaWeb.com

When I first heard radio shock-jock Don Imus’ comments about NFL defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones, I just knew Imus couldn’t have meant what I thought he meant.

For those of you not aware, the exchange between Imus and sportscaster Warner Wolf went something like this. Blitzer mentioned that Jones has been arrested six times since the Tennessee Titans drafted him in 2005.

“What color is he?” Imus asked Blitzer.

“He’s African-American,” Wolf answered.

“There you go,” Imus said. “Now we know.”

At first I thought the same thing Imus’ critics are now thinking: That Imus implied that Jones, being black, had a kind of natural proclivity for crime. But I figured that couldn’t possibly be it. Imus may be a shock jock, but the man isn’t stupid. He’s got to know there are plenty of white guys in jails and prisons.

COMMENTARY....

Pacman says he's praying for Imus after 'racist' comment

At least Don Imus can take comfort in knowing that he has Adam (Don't Call Me Pacman -- Or Else) Jones' spiritual support.

Imus, the syndicated radio host who was fired for making racially and sexually insensitive remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team last year, set off another firestorm Monday by asking "What color is he?" after hearing Jones' lengthy rap sheet.

Told that the Cowboys cornerback is African American, Imus said: "Well, there you go. Now we know."

Jones responded to the Dallas Morning News on Monday night: "I'm truly upset about the comments. Obviously, Mr. Imus has problems with African Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him."

Pacman says he's praying for Imus after 'racist' comment....

WORSE THAN IMUS

TURNER'S TWO CENTS: Worse Than Imus and Searching for Mary J's Mirror



By Cameron Turner

WORSE THAN IMUS

*Don Imus’ return to the air was greeted with an appropriate level of skepticism and rebuke earlier this week.

CNN entertainment correspondent Lola Ogunnaike hit the bull’s eye when she dismissed Imus’ new black sidekicks as “complete tokens” put there to validate the racially insensitive remarks Imus is certain to make.

Likewise, rap star Chamillionaire was on point when he said on CNN’s Larry King Live: "You can say you're sorry but there still has to be some kind of punishment. The problem is there's a real effect of what he did. I've yet to see the real punishment … Don Imus is really winning right now. The corporations are winning. But there's a lot of people who are not winning."

Imus began his return broadcast by admitting that his comment about the Rutgers women’s basketball team was “a reprehensible remark about innocent people who did not deserve to be made fun of.” He vowed to “never say anything…that will make any of these young women at Rutgers regret or feel foolish that they accepted my apology” nor to say anything “that will make anybody think that I didn't deserve a second chance.” But Imus also declared that “the program is not going to change.” He even bragged about being on “a better radio station, one of the great iconic radio stations in the history of broadcasting, WABC in New York.”

So, he’s stronger, richer and has a higher public profile than he did before.

But Don Imus isn’t the only offensive broadcaster being welcomed back to the air. Another “shock jock” who’s even worse than Imus will return at the beginning of 2008. New York hip hop host Troi “Star” Torain and his partner/half-brother Timothy “Buc Wild” Joseph were fired last year by Clear Channel’ s Power 105.1 because Star made sexually explicit threats against the wife and four-year-old daughter of a rival jock, DJ Envy. Star actually went on the air and offered $500 to anyone who could tell him where Envy’s daughter went to school. Then he went way, way over the line. Star told his listeners, "Somebody holla at me and tell me about his whore wife and his kid... this little ugly ass kid…I'm disrespectin' your seed. I would like to skeet on the face of your seed." Star also said he wanted to “do an R. Kelly” on the little girl.

Stop and just absorb that for a second.

A grown man goes on the public airwaves and says he wants to sexually assault a four-year old child. He wants to urinate on her and ejaculate on her face. Remarks like that go far beyond foul, disgusting, frightening and depraved. That mess is actually evil. The fact a black man said those things about a black baby makes it the lowest form of evil.

Nonetheless, the Star & Buc Wild Morning Show will return next month on Pulse 87.7, a new Top 40 station owned by Mega Media Group. Unlike Imus, Star hasn’t apologized (he issued a statement making the contradictory promise to offer “responsible social commentary” while delivering “the great entertainment that my listeners have come to expect”). But just like Imus, Star & Buc Wild will certainly be hailed by legions of fans who love their hurtful form of attack “entertainment.”

Imus and Star & Buc Wild both had top-rated shows before they were fired. That raises a troubling question. What has become of us, collectively as a society, when we make celebrities out of people who use the public forum to deliberately insult, degrade, attack and threaten people?

SEARCHING FOR MARY’S MIRROR

I love the line in Mary J. Blige’s bangin’ and beautiful hit “Just Fine” when Mary declares: “I like what I see when I’m looking at me, when I’m walking past the mirror.” That’s the kind of joyful confidence that all women are entitled to experience. But, sadly, many black women and girls do not even see themselves at all in the mirror of pop culture. Especially hip hop culture.

Watching BET’s 106 & Park always gives me a sense of painful irony. The studio audience that screams so enthusiastically embodies the beautiful diversity of our race. Look over the shoulders of hosts Terrence and Rocsi and you’ll see sisters of every complexion, size and hairstyle. But that reality vanishes whenever the videos start playing (the same videos that run on MTV, VH1, iTunes, etc.). Almost all of the women in all of all of the videos have lighter complexions and long, wavy hair. The same is true of the models in hip hop magazines like XXL and KING.

By glamorizing only one type of black woman, today’s African-American musical culture rejects the truth that black -- in all its hues, shades and gradations – is, has always been and always will be beautiful. This inflicts real damage on the self-esteem of sisters who don’t look like the video models (it’s real hard to feel confident when your own culture tells you continuously that beauty looks different from you) and it sets up envy and competition among sisters.

But there’s another, less obvious impact. The narrow, Eurocentric standard of beauty promoted by African-American youth culture turns black men and boys away from sisters by teaching them to idealize the black woman who looks the least phenotypically “black” while ignoring the broad spectrum of beauty within our race. This has worrisome implications for black relationships and families.

Black male recording stars could start reversing this damage by insisting that the women in their videos reflect a range of beauty. It shouldn’t be too hard to take such a stand considering the millions that these brothers make for the record labels. Meanwhile, I urge all black folks – men and women alike – to explore the special feature “My Black is Beautiful” in the December issue of Essence (the one with Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union and Nia Long on the cover). The essays, poetry, activities and talking points in this special supplement will enlighten, empower and give you a sense of pride and joy. Might as well grab a copy of Maya Angelou’s classic poem, “Phenomenal Woman” while you’re at it. Oh, and listen to Mary J’s record again!

Thanks for listening. I’m Cameron Turner and that’s my two cents. I always want to hear yours so hit me back at TurnersTwoCents@aol.com

THINK! IT AIN’T ILLEGAL YET!

DON IMUS' BLACK CO-HOSTS SPEAK OUT

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.”

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.04.07

Brad Pitt unveils green housing plan.

Brad Pitt has unveiled an affordable and eco-friendly housing project in New Orleans. The actor pledged 5 million dollars from his own pocket to build green houses in the Lower 9th ward for those who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. He says he hopes the 150 houses will be built by next summer. Pitt says he wants to give life back to the community.

Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland may be facing DUI charges. The singer was reportedly arrested last month in Southern California after getting into a car accident. The rocker apparently then failed sobriety tests. Luckily, no one was injured in the crash. He's due in court on December 13. Weiland has reportedly had problems with alcohol and drug problems in the past.

Controversial radio host Don Imus is now back on the airwaves. He made his comeback on WABC radio yesterday morning. Imus was fired by CBS radio last spring after making racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. On yesterday's show the host apologized for the ordeal calling it a quote "life changing experience."

Nicole Richie and her boyfriend Joel Madden are giving back to expectant mothers in need. The pair...who will welcome their own baby in January, reportedly threw a surprise baby show for 100 mothers at a free clinic in L.A. yesterday. Apparently they gave about 200,000 dollars worth of gifts. It's all part of the couple's charity called The Richie Madden Children's Foundation...which helps needy families.

Johnny Depp is bringing the story of "Sweeney Todd" to the big screen. He stars in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"...a film based on a musical composed by Stephen Sondheim. Depp and Sondheim attended the world premiere along with the film's director Tim Burton last night in New York. Helena Bonham Carter also stars in the movie as well as "Borat" star Sacha Baron Cohen and Alan Rickman. The thriller hits theaters December 21.

BLACK CO-HOSTS ADDED TO DON IMUS RADIO SHOW

Plus, jock blasts Wayans and Hughley for agreeing with his racist/sexist comments.

Don Imus made his big return to radio on Monday with two African Americans added to his cast of morning show regulars and a promise to stay edgy without resorting to racist and sexist comments.

Joining regular sidekicks Rob Bartlett and Charles McCord are African American comedians Karith Foster and Tony Powell. Foster was described in the New York Post as "a black Texas Jew with New York roots and an Oxford education."

"We now have the opportunity to have a better program, to obviously diversify the cast... but the program is not going to change," Imus said at the start of his new daily radio show on Citadel Broadcasting Corp's ABC Radio Networks.

Eight months ago, Imus was fired from his longtime syndicated CBS Radio show for calling the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy headed hoes." ABC Radio Networks signed Imus in November for a reported $5 million.

"I will never say anything in my lifetime that will make any of these young women regret or feel foolish that they accepted my apology or forgave me," Imus told ABC's Barbara Walters as part of her upcoming "10 Most Fascinating People of 2007" special.

Imus also spoke out against black comedians Damon Wayans and D.L. Hughley, who have each joked publicly that the radio host's offensive comments were accurate.

"None of us should say it. They should talk to those women at Rutgers if they want to know how they feel about it," Imus said. "It was demonstrated to these young women that there are consequences to what you say."

DON IMUS RETURNS TO THE AIRWAVES

DON IMUS returned to the air MONDAY morning on CITADEL Talk WABC-A/NEW YORK and in syndication with a live broadcast from NEW YORK's TOWN HALL, introducing the members of his broadcast crew and guest performer LEVON HELM, who opened the show with "Ashes of Love." CHARLES MCCORD, BERNARD MCGUIRK, and, back at the studio, LOU RUFINO were introduced as returning to IMUS' show, and HACKENSACK MEDICAL CENTER aired a special spot as the first returning advertiser.

In the course of a long opening mea culpa for the controversy that got him fired in APRIL from CBS Sports WFAN-A/NEW YORK and WESTWOOD ONE, IMUS told the audience, "I think what happened is what should have happened... you don't get to decide, nor should you, how the news media is gong to treat a remark you made." Blaming himself for having made the remark, IMUS said that CBS' LES MOONVES called him before his scheduled meeting with the RUTGERS women's basketball team and told him that CBS couldn't handle the pressure and would fire him, although he praised MOONVES as "honorable."

Sens. CHRIS DODD (D-CT) and JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), historian DORIS KEARNS-GOODWIN, and pundits JAMES CARVILLE and MARY MATALIN were IMUS' scheduled guests for the opening broadcast.

At WABC, former morning co-host CURTIS SLIWA and newsman GEORGE WEBER handled 5-6a TODAY.

DON IMUS EXPECTED TO GET SOME PAYBACK MONDAY

Roker, Russert, Ford Jr., Newsweek editors reportedly in line of fire; Najee Ali announces protest.

When Don Imus returns to the airwaves Monday for the first time since his firing last April over racist and sexist remarks, word has it that he's fixin' to unleash eight months of pent-up frustration at the public figures who abandoned him during the controversy.

"I think he will have some scores to settle," Page Six quoted of Phil Boyce, the general manager of Imus' new radio home at New York's WABC.

Private eye Bo Dietl, who will join Imus in the 8 a.m. hour on Monday, told Page Six that former Imus regulars Harold Ford Jr. and Al Roker may be called out by Imus on his first day.

"They turned their backs on him so fast," Dietl said. "Al Roker had his stomach stapled - he should have had his mouth stapled."

One longtime listener wondered: "Will Imus ever give Newsweek editors another chance to plug their books on his show since they cut and ran when Al Sharpton started his crusade to get him off the air?"

Dietl said Imus' "nappy-headed hoes" remark "brought attention to that Rutgers basketball team. They really benefited. It turned out to be a positive thing."

Meanwhile, activist Najee Ali of Project Islamic HOPE says a coalition of Los Angeles and black leaders from across the nation will participate in a national day of silent protest Monday at 11 a.m. from ABC radio's Los Angeles affiliate, KABC (3321 S. La Cienega Blvd.).

"Don Imus and his quick return to radio is a blatant slap in the face to black women," Ali stated. "Imus shouldn't return to radio until he makes amends and helps repair the damage that he has done with his racist and sexist comments. Shame on ABC Radio for giving him a national platform to continue his campaign of sexist rhetoric."

Ali says the coalition will also call for a national boycott of Don Imus sponsors who are supporting his radio program.

IMUS LOVES THE KIDS

Imus To Kick Off Return With Kids' Benefit.

DON IMUS is picking up where he left off -- raising money to help children with cancer, writes DAVID HINKLEY in THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. When he was kicked off CBS Sports WFAN/NEW YORK in APRIL, he was in the middle of the annual WFAN Radiothon that benefits child-related charities, including HACKENSACK MEDICAL CENTER, THE SIDS FOUNDATION and THE IMUS RANCH.

So when he returns DEC. 3rd to start his new 6-10a gig at CITADEL Talk WABC/NEW YORK, he'll use the first show to raise money for the Ranch, by charging $100 a ticket to see that show live at TOWN HALL.

The show will feature live music by LEVON HELM and should start to answer the question of what the new IMUS show will sound like.

His cast is expected back, though BERNARD MCGUIRK's role may change. It was announced yesterday that BOB GELB, eight-year producer of "MIKE AND THE MAD DOG" on WFAN, has resigned to join IMUS.

There could also be other new faces and a shuffled guest lineup. JAMES CARVILLE says he will be a first-day guest.

IMUS TV DEAL

DON IMUS, whose cowboy hat and western wear looked out of place on MSNBC, may have found a more comfortable saddle. On DECEMBER. 3rd, when he returns not only to radio but also to television, it will be on RFD-TV, a cable and satellite channel that caters to farmers, ranchers and equestrians, as well as others who merely aspire to live a small-town life, writes THE NEW YORK TIMES.

PATRICK GOTTSCH, a former satellite-dish installer from NEBRASKA who founded RFD-TV in 1988, said in an interview yesterday that he had reached agreement with IMUS on a five-year contract to televise his program. While GOTTSCH would not discuss any financial terms, someone else briefed directly on the deal said it could be worth up to $5 million a year -- about what WABC-A and its parent company, CITADEL BROADCASTING, are paying for the radio program. IMUS declined comment, but one of his representatives, who agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity, said yesterday that the host expected to sign a contract with RFD (which stands for RURAL FREE DELIVERY) in the next day or so.

Even with a portion of the RFD payment going to CITADEL, IMUS’s annual compensation from his new radio and TV outlets could be within range of the roughly $10 million he was being paid annually by CBS RADIO before he was fired last spring over his racial and sexual aside about the RUTGERS women’s basketball team.

The deal could pave the way for RFD to be seen on large cable systems in cities like NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, where IMUS has traditionally drawn some of his biggest audiences.

The Hysterical Defense of Dog the Bounty Hunter Tells Much about America's Racial Backslide.

THE HUTCHINSON POLITICAL REPORT

By Earl Ofari Hutchinson

"I am sick and tired of people like you and the phony and fake Al Sharpton who go after white people who say something you don't like and then using the excuse ... it degrades black women, etc."

That was one of the tamer emails I got when I called for A&E Television to cancel outright the Dog the Bounty Hunter show. We all know by now what round em' up and bring em' back alive Duane Chapman aka the Bounty Hunter did to get the temporary ax. He let fly a "B" and "N" word laced rant and borderline threatening oaths at his son for having the temerity to date a black woman. A&E "suspended" production of the show. That was a weak, tepid, and vacillating response. And I told why.

Dog's comments about black women are more than just gender and racially demeaning and hurtful to black women. They are a vicious attack on and call to end interracial relations, as well as an incitement to violence. Dog the Bounty Hunter's' statement was far more damaging than shock jock Don Imus'.

I frontally challenged A&E and said that suspension of the show is not enough. A&E can send the strong message that the sentiments he expressed will not be tolerated by immediate cancellation of the show.

But the hysterical defense of Dog and the bile emails this writer got has nothing to do with A&E ... (READ MORE)

Earl Ofari Hutchinson (hutchinsonreport@aol.com) is an author and political analyst. His new book: The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation between African- Americans and Hispanics (Middle Passage Press October 2007).

IMUS CLOSE TO TV DEAL

Report: Imus-RFD-TV Deal Close

THE TENNESSEAN reports that an announcement of a deal between RFD-TV and DON IMUS for a TV simulcast of his new CITADEL radio show may come "possibly as soon as this week." The paper says that the deal is expected to boost RFD-TV from its present 30 million homes to 50 million homes by the end of 2008. RFD-TV President PATRICK GOTTSCH would not confirm that a deal is imminent but says that the network is in talks with the talk host and that verbal agreements to add the network to systems operated by COMCAST and TIME WARNER have beem reached with deals expected to be signed within the week.

"The biggest obstacle we've had in the last three years is convincing urban-based program directors in NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, D.C., and LOS ANGELES, and so on that they need to be carrying this 'rural' network," said GOTTSCH. "IMUS helps us cross those borders." RFD-TV will launch a high definition channel on DECEMBER 1st, carrying the proposed IMUS show, "RALPH EMERY LIVE," "CROOK AND CHASE," and a lineup that will be different from the analog network's programming.

DON IMUS BACK ON THE AIR DECEMBER 3RD

Confirmed: Imus-Citadel Pact A Done Deal

Back In Business

The ASSOCIATED PRESS has confirmed what has been widely speculated: DON IMUS will take over mornings at Talk WABC-A/NEW YORK, starting DECEMBER 3rd.

IMUS will return longtime news reporter CHARLES McCORD, and other members of his morning team -- although the CITADEL announcement did not specifically mention producer BERNARD MCGUIRK, who was fired along with Imus.

"We are ecstatic to bring DON IMUS back to morning radio," said WABC Pres./GM STEVE BORNEMAN. "DON's unique brand of humor, knowledge of the issues and ability to attract big-name guests is unparalleled. He is rested, fired up and ready to do great radio."

THE NEW YORK POST earlier reported that the five-year deal will pay IMUS $5-8 million annually, and will "more likely than not" include syndication to other CITADEL/ABC stations, starting with Talk KABC-A/LOS ANGELES.

A separate TV deal is in negotiations, LAURIA reports. IMUS will be replacing CURTIS SLIWA in mornings; SLIWA's co-host RON KUBY recently left the station. Ironically, the AP story noted that SLIWA and KUBY routinely beat IMUS in the mornings when he was on WFAN-A.

THEY NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET

McCain, Richardson: We'll Go On Imus Show

The NEW YORK DAILY NEWS has checked with presidential candidates to see which would go on DON IMUS' new show if and when the host returns to radio as morning man at CITADEL Talk WABC-A/NEW YORK, and only two -- Democcrat BILL RICHARDSON and Republican JOHN MCCAIN -- responded by saying that they'd do IMUS' show.

MCCAIN said, "I believe in redemption, and I've made so many mistakes in my life and I've asked people to give me another opportunity. What he did was unacceptable, but all of us in life, I think, ought to be able to move forward." RICHARDSON's press secretary TOM REYNOLDS told the NEWS that the candidate "strongly believes this is a society of forgiveness and second chances, and that the radio host has paid his debt for his mistake."

Among the other candidates, BARACK OBAMA said through a spokesperson that he "does not intend to go on the show and hopes that Imus has learned from the hurt and pain he caused," HILLARY CLINTON's spokesperson said that the candidate " hasn't done it before. I can't imagine her ever doing it in the future," and RUDY GIULIANI did not comment, although he previously said that he would not stay away from the show.

The paper checked candidates' positions after it ran an op-ed article this weekend from former presidential candidate BOB KERREY calling on candidates to appear on the show. The KERREY article warned that "Democrats in particular may fear the wrath of the AL SHARPTONS of the world and feel pressured to stay away. We can't afford to start putting our interviewers through purity tests."

SHARPTON, responding to KERREY, repeated his veiled threat of a boycott of IMUS advertisers and said "If I'm running for office, I want to reach as many people as possible. But I also don't want to abandon the voters that I need the most, and for Democrats, that's women and black people."

IMUS TALKING TO FARM NETWORK

The NEW YORK TIMES is reporting that DON IMUS is talking with a cable network about relaunching a simulcast of his upcoming CITADEL/WABC-A/NEW YORK show, but it's not one of the major news channels -- it's RFD-TV.

The OMAHA-based network, reaching 30 million homes mostly through DISH NETWORK and DIRECTV, is known for farm and agricultural programming and polka shows. The TIMES notes that the channel aired a documentary about the IMUS RANCH on LABOR DAY weekend.

DON IMUS INCHES CLOSER TO A RETURN

According to the Drudge Report, WABC radio in New York has struck a deal with fired jock Don Imus to bring his "Imus in the Morning" radio show back to the airwaves.

Last spring, the program was booted from its radio home at CBS and television portal MSNBC after he called the Rutgers University basketball team "nappy-headed hoes."

According to Drudge, the new deal comes with an "eight-figure, multi-year contract."

A source says WABC plans to cover its behind by keeping Imus on a 40-second delay, which will give censors plenty of time to bleep out questionable content.

As previously reported, Imus settled with former employer CBS over his breach-of-contract lawsuit for a reported $20 million.