Media: June 2008 Archives

When did this cranky codger become a barometer of racial harmony in the United States? Everybody is hinging on the next racist word to come out of Don Imus' mouth. And there will probably be more, mind you. But if the guy's offensive, don't listen to him. Don't advertise on his show. Don't buy the products that advertise on his show. Money talks, and bad pundits then walk.

Both times when Imus has incurred the wrath of Al Sharpton, it's reminded me that what Imus thinks passes for humor doesn't do anything to add to the conversation of race in America. I grew up watching the Wayans family's "In Living Color" show, which was not only hilarious but had brilliant and poignant things to say on racial relations and stereotypes, whether it was Homey D. Clown succumbing to The Man at Chez Whitey or the timeless skit of Sharpton and Louis Farrakhan doing their version of "Who's on First?"

Even the man who dethroned Imus from his shock jock throne, Howard Stern, beats Imus by a mile when it comes to talking race: When Stern has as a guest Daniel Carver, an imperial wizard and grand dragon (see, there's room for jokes there already) of the Ku Klux Klan, there is nothing more powerful than hearing the racist banter come directly from Carver's mouth. We're shocked by the reality of what's out there, but we're better for knowing about it. And we laugh at a guy who is so silly, so antiquated in his view of the world as he reviews movies such as "Jungle Fever," etc. And it reminds us that racism has no place in today's world.

Entertainment needn't shy away from race, but can frankly bring these issues to the forefront and make you laugh at the same time. Imus sorely lacks this ability.

More than a decade ago, I used to listen to Imus in New York. He was no Howard Stern, and no racist, either. For the most part, his show featured long, thoughtful conversations with prominent newsmakers of all kinds -- think NPR, but without the monotonic hosts and with a sense of humor.

But "Imus in the Morning" always had its edgy moments, too. What mass entertainment these days doesn't? This is the era of dehumanizing reality TV, of gangsta rap, of public "Scarface" swear-alongs; an age in which an insulting, God-trashing scold like George Carlin gets heralded as a comedic prophet.

Imus plays to his times, knowing that pushing the limits of good taste makes for boffo ratings. It's a dangerous game, because sometimes you get burned -- especially, as Mariel notes, if you pick on the wrong groups.

Compared to the offenses of countless others, I'm not sure Imus is getting treated fairly, with demands that he make an offering, once again, at the altar of Al Sharpton. But I don't weep for him. America's love of "shock" has grown wearisome -- and shock's purveyors make their millions at their own peril.