Random Thoughts

Day 107 (259) – Don Imus: Racist or Bad Comedian?

Jennifer asked what my thoughts were on Don Imus, so I figured I’d spend this post talking a little bit about it  (thanks for the inspiration, Jennifer).

Let’s get right into it – honestly, I think this whole thing was blown out of proportion, and seems a bit ridiculous to me.  A radio personality tried to be funny, said something sexist and possibly racist, and failed miserably.  And as a result, lost his job?  It’s a good thing stand-up comedians and rappers aren’t held to the same standard, we’d only have a handful of comedians and no rappers (ok none is a bit extreme, but it’d be close).

The sad thing is that this all really comes down to money.  The difference between a stand-up comic and Don Imus, is that comdians get paid to make those types of comments (almost seems worst…).  But Imus wasn’t fired because he was sexist or racist.  The community was outraged, so the advertisers got scared and pulled out (P&G was one of them).  Well, when the ads go, then the network has to really do something – so Imus goes.  You think they would have fired him if they hadn’t lost any commercial spots?  There’s no way.

It’s actually a nice example of how the masses can influence corporations (something I think is a good thing).  It’s just a shame that we can’t have people come together like this for something “silly” like [insert White House Scandal here (popular options: WMDs and the war in Iraq, the handling of Katrina, Anthony Gonzalez)].

Now before you get all bent out of shape, I’m not saying that I think sexism or racism is ok.  But I don’t know that Imus was trying to be hurtful (maybe he was), but he was trying to be funny.  That’s the inherent risk in comedy.  Sometimes you get that great guffaw, sometimes you get crickets, and sometimes you get fired.