Broadcaster Disaster Born of Sheer Laziness

After four days of listening to show hosts on my talk radio station beat the Don Imus fiasco to death, I’m almost too worn out to even write about it. It’s appalling to me that this story has monopolized as much of everyone’s time as it has.

First of all, is it only obvious to me that it was a blatant grab at publicity? Nobody knows the rules and the potential risks better than radio and television personalities. Surely, FCC driven memos fly around those places like planes around Atlanta. I listen to talk radio all day long and these people are VERY careful about tiptoeing on the edge of the line. Imus either had an agenda or he was on mind-altering substances when he made the “nappy-headed hos” comment. Or, he just got carried away. Times are tough in every business and sometimes there just isn’t enough to talk about.

I mean, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with the economy or young people are dying daily in a God-forsaken country for no reason. Too bad the polar ice caps aren’t melting or eleven year old girls aren’t performing degrading sex acts on boys without believing that’s what they’re doing. Then there might be something to talk about.

If only gas prices would shoot up outrageously or prescription drugs would become so expensive that people in this “great country” would have to play insurance roulette with their medications on a daily basis. If there could just be a few more teenagers doing drugs, killing people or passing time on internet porn sites, maybe Don Imus would’ve had something worthwhile to talk about and wouldn’t be unemployed tonight. Poor guy. Where are the safe provocation resources when you need them? Who wouldn’t have resorted to the good old racial ignorance standby when the controversy pickins are so slim?

Now, I’m no journalist and I don’t follow politics very closely but it seems to me there’s been a rumor floating around about an election heading our way (not a moment too soon) and I think I may have heard something about a ho AND a…I can’t do it…person of color running for the office of president. I’m not sure but I think these are historical firsts. That might be something to toss around. You can even make fun of the candidates but it might take some creativity and intelligence to do so without drastic penalties. 

The more I think about it…maybe Don Imus is just lazy and burned out. Maybe he needs a hiatus. Maybe he can take this time to watch a little Jay Leno and see how the pros handle the daily dilemma of getting yucks at the expense of others without being downright nasty, stupid and trouncing on people’s civil rights. It can be done. In my opinion, talk shows should educate and entertain simultaneously. I get most of my news that way. The funny  translates the tedious and makes bad news easier to face .

Anyone who gets paid as much money as this surly, boring, pompous bonehead should be expected to be more innovative than he has ever shown himself to be–this week aside. Regardless of his motives or lack of motivation, it’s time for Don Imus to just go quietly. And, just in case he still has delusions of grandeur, someone should tell him this was not the way to get taken Siriusly.