media watch: The I-Man's Crew vs. Contessa Brewer
The Pope is near death and Contessa Brewer isn't feeling so good herself.
She can't be.
The traffic on this site has been getting an inordinate amount of hits from people doing searches on Contessa Brewer, the woman who helps read the news on Imus in the Morning, the WFAN morning radio show that is simulcast on MSNBC.
I wrote several months ago that Brewer seems more than able to hold her own in the locker room atmosphere of the Imus show, which sent Brewer's predecessor, Amy Rohbach, screaming into the predawn darkness (and back into a regular newsroom setting.)
Now I have my doubts.
This morning, I was half-awake. The TV in the bedroom is always tuned to MSNBC at this ungodly early hour. Sometimes I awake to full consciousness to see who Imus is talking to, and other mornings I awake to only half-consciousness.
This morning, I was in a half-state of consciousness, but snapped to attention in the midst of a what sounded and looked like a nasty, full-on catfight between Brewer, who's in a New Jersey studio, and the Imus show's female traffic reporter, a tough-talking New Yawker stationed in Queens (I think) who fits right into the towel-snapping, boys locker room atmosphere.
What I remember is the traffic reporter telling Brewer she had a big nose.
There were some other harsh words being bandied back and forth, while Imus and boys laughed heartily.
There's a lot of things I don't like to see, and women fighting is one of them. I know, I know, it's a turn-on to some of you guys out there, but for me, it's just too unseemly, too much against my perception of the natural order of the world.
This incident follows viewer consternation over some over-the-top sexual remarks that are aimed at Contessa, the daughter of a retired Baptist preacher.
When she divulged the former occupation of her daddy several months back on the air, well, that was like waving red meat in front of a famished lion. Hence, some of the comments/questions aimed at Brewer are of a highly suggestive nature.
They want to know if she is an "eager beaver," they want her to go into details about what Michael Jackson allegedly did to his child victims, that sorta thing.
If this was anything but a radio show, there might be a sexual harassment lawsuit in the making here, but as it is, it's probably protected under the First Amendment. And what passes for good radio entertainment a la Howard Stern.
I'm not so sure Contessa Brewer is long for this radio gig.
Posts
51 comments:
I used to really like Imus. But over the years he seems to go out of his way to engage in this behavior with the female news readers: there is the one you point out, before her there was Christy Musumeci, whom Imus and the gang went out their way to belittle, now Contessa. Then the continual whining about being bullied about his ranch and then the outing of Anderson Cooper. All of this in a "boys will be boys" kinda of atmosphere. The schtick is wearing thin for me.
i know what you mean. if he'd just stick to the interesting people he gets on the phone, he'd be fine. he seems like a smart guy who's interested in the world, but then he always slides back into the gay-baiting, female-baiting, everyone's an asshole but me mode.
He is trying to compete agaisnt Stern. I think it is disgusting what they are doing to Contessa.
Contessa Down and Dirty!!
I think the "bosses" at MSNBC are keeping her on a tight leash while trying to preserve their dignity as a "News organization". I think Contesa if left to her own with no censorship from them could mix it up with Imus and the rest of his stooges with no problem. I've seen flashes of it but she always seems to stop short. Hard to serve two masters for her I guess.
Come on MSNBC, loosen the H--L up and let Contessa do her thing!!
Poor Don, Contessa would eat him alive and his stooges too...wish he would pick on his good buddy the donald dick trump...ask him sometime I-man why he was fired here in Indiana by the Gaming commission,,,because he's a Loser...GO Contessa
Not sure what Imus is doin latelyb around show. It seems to be in transition. Sid was sick. Imus (for the millionth time) tells how sick the Wall Street Journal was to question his intentions on the ranch. ENOUGH DON! Now one of the highlights of the morning, Contessa, gets overly dished by Bernard on understanding complete details of story she is reading. I would love to see her return with an attitude...
I really don't think that maniac and his stooges could ever find anyone to stay on the show and put up with their locker room gutter talk except the likes of that equally tough-talking traffic reporter who has no aspirations of ever been mistook for a lady.
Is Contessa still on MSNBC, or was she fired. If anything, she should fire back a sexual h. lawsuit, because she didn't ask for the type of ribbing she got. It was pretty bad from the get go, when they started in on Amy, and she figured out she wanted out in a week, and then Contessa got in, and it started again. You know where Don was asking her if she had problems saying the word masteurbation, and she said she practiced last night.....on the word, and the audience erupted in laughter, and she was so embarrassed, and then the traffic hag, got on her about not having any talent, a big nose, and a mustache to boot. It was so mean, that I thought it might be a put on, but you just never know with Imus. I really like the show, and all the guests, and don't consider myself a prude by any means, but when a gentle, kind, classy, and beautiful woman was attacked like that, I have to tell you that I felt very uncomfortable about it, and I just wish Contessa the best. I'll miss seeing her in the morning, and certainly preferred her to the horrific Katie Couric. I haven't watched the today show for years now, and it appears others are following my lead by leaving the Today show in droves. THat started for me when the window to the world was opened, and I had to hear all the wannabees screaming their heads off, and all the Regis and Kathy type stories with weddings of people we don't know or care about, and making a huge deal out of it. Being a guy, I doubt any guy would be interested in that type of fluff, and want good, interesting banter like Don provides, and NEWS. Don has news, book reviews, famous folks, politicians, professionals of all sorts, and ofcourse Don himself. I can definately understand the hate for him by some people, but for me, I really enjoy it. Well, I've gone on too long, and I'll catch ya later, Mrk
Contessa is doing the afternoon news on MSNBC now.
Imus & Co. were talking about her possible replacement today.
Bernie suggested the "mulatto" female who does the news.
During her short stint on IMUS Contessa Brewer showed that she had the intelligence, wit and class to handle the whole crew with aplomb and even respond with barbed one-upmanship. Seeing this they, even Charles, descended into gutter humor that no one, and especially no woman, should have to put up with. Ms. Brewer apparently had the good sense to leave.
I went so far as to call WFAN and MSNBC and commment that IMUS and "friends" were way over the top in their persecution of Ms. Brewer. I assume others did also.
I was a fan of Don Imus back when his show was topical, humorous and satirical. Now it seems that he has become a shill for NBC, Newsweek and all of the other ilk owned in whole or in part by NBC. Some of his guests are interesting. Some, like Andrea Mitchell, are overexposed, boring and are pitched irrelevant, softball questions. Others, like Donald Trump and the leigon of NBC, NY Times and Newsweek never-was reporters are an obvious, transparent and pathetic attempt to boost NBC viewership. Hey Donny! How about asking 'ole Andrea why her husband is repeating the very steps that tanked the economy back in 2000? Now THERE is a question my boy!
I used to respect Bernie, not much any more after his sexually-charged questions to Contessa and I'm utterly amazed that IMUS' wife., a supposedly liberated and active "do-gooder" hasn't threatened to sleep on the couch until he learns to respect women. Makes one wonder what their home life is like. Does Chuck McCord have a dress-up doll of her too?
Donald, what your show NEEDS is someone like Contessa Brewer to lend it a bit of class and in case you haven't noticed, your fall book ratings sucked! Does this tell you anything?
Not surprised to see Contessa gone so soon. She always looked uncomfortable.
This morning, the boys were bagging on her, even called her a b-tch. I didn't catch the whole thing but it was something about what Contessa recently said in public. Anybody know more about this?
This morning's Imus show and attacks on Contessa was the last straw. I blocked MSNBC from my TV and wrote a letter to MSNBC.
As a woman who has watched Imus for years - overlooking the vulgarity of Imus and his cohorts because of the interesting parade of guests, this morning I felt shame that I was watching such a spectacle.
To all of the women of the world, I am sorry that I watched that show. I assure you that I will not watch MSNBC again until Imus is gone. Not only has the station been blocked in my home, but it has been blocked in my office as well. My employees are now invited to listen to commercial-free internet radio. I don't care if Imus is off the air by the time my employees come to work. MSNBC should not support this type of hate mongering trash.
A modicum of civility by Imus and his wierd friends is not a lot to ask for.
I didn't get the whole story about Contessa Brewer this morning. But--Imus and crew went way over the line in the things they said about her. I thought she was a class act and very easy to look at. She should have never been subjected to the stupid, teenager-ish comments from Bernard and others. If she doesn't sue them I'll be surprised.
There are two sides to every story, and Contessa's side will probably never be heard. To be sure, Imus' comeback to Contessa's comments was predictably repetitive and so pathetic, calling her fat, as if that is what got her fired. What surprised me about this is the mean comment Charles made about her reading abilities. It seemed they had a friendly and professional relationship on camera and for him to pile on, taking his cue from Bernie and Imus, made me mad. Talk about women bashers. Do you remember what they did to Janice Dean? Any self-respecting woman who would agree to join this cast must have a death wish.
with all due respect, contessa should have been smart enough up front to know what she was getting into...if she wasn't then perhaps the comments about her intelligence are not that far off. Amy sized up the situation pretty quick and left with her dignity and reputation intact. When that happened I suspect that Contessa thought this was a great opportunity to raise her profile given that Imus' show has some of MSNBC's highest ratings. I'm sure she's a nice girl but she made two mistakes: 1 - she went on the program thinking she could handle the crew and 2 - she stayed too long
I knew Contessa's stint would be short-lived a few weeks ago when it was apparent she knew very little about the Imus Ranch for Kids. You could see the I-Man bristle.
i think don imus treats the women on his show the way he does out of disgust for his control freak wife.
he could not talk to her in this manner, but would like to.
he is a dying old man, old junkie paying the price as he ages, no longer owns his microphone.
i think he should move to florida and finish the dehydration process.
I too am an woman who has always watched Imus on MSNBC with mixed feelings, he does have some of the best interviews of politicians and others on the air, but it is obvious that Imus himself and especially that Bernie just hate women, I am sure that Imus probably hates them due to his super agressive wife, Bernie's must be the same. But, that said, I find I can no longer watch MSNBC AT ALL now, just due to this Contessa Brewer thing, especially if they fired HER for her private conversation with friends in a restaurant. WHERE does MSNBC get off firing HER over him and his crew with what they have said over the public airwaves about her? I hope she sues the pants off of MSNBC and Imus himself (and Bernie too) as he is always bragging about how much money he has, he can pay her millions like Bill O'Reilly did to that other woman.
I not only sent a complaint letter to MSNBC but also to the FCC!
Gee, why is it always the woman who gets fired???
Might I make a suggestion? Those who wrote a complaint letter to MSNBC about the Imus gang's on air 'rape' of Contessa Brewer, or those who intend to write a complaint letter, also write them to the commercial sponsors of MSNBC and also specifically those who pay for commercial air time broadcast during the Imus show, those who are paying the huge money to buy commercial air time should realize that their products are being associated with this type of woman hating tirades, which MSNBC must agree with.
Calling it an "on air rape" od Contessa is obnoxious and stupid--especially for people who have been raped. Contessa, presumably, heard the show and knew what she was getting into.
To all you idiots out there that can't see past your pathetic anger,any woman that has been on the Iman's program has gone on to bigger and better things beause of the stage presence they get from Imus's show. Brewer should be kissing his ass for even letting her sit on the same set with him and Charles. Get a life you losers.
The last guy who wrote as to where all the previous women went couldn't find them with a fine tooth comb. Where is Christy and where is Janice Dean? Amy Robach wsa smart enough to get off after just a few days. If MSNBC were smart they would drop Imus whose audience is rapidly declining anyway.
His remarks and those of his weak livered compatriots today- most particularly Bernard the Anti-Semite and anti everything particularly women and McCord who couldn't get another job in radio or TV if his life depended on it were totally uncalled for and shameful.
Enough of these stupid boors already- this is the 21st Century and these guys are still in the dark ages.
I was shocked by the ugly attack on Mize Brewer. I thought she was an asset to the show. It was charming the way She was always appropriately embarrassed when the crew pried into her private life. The viciousness of the attack makes me think there is something else going on. Maybe Imus or Charles put some O riley style moves on her and got rebuffed.
1. Contessa was not fired from MSNBC - just the Imus gig.
2. She wasn't fired for the comments that appeared in the paper - those came several days later.
3. Imus didn't say anything negative about Contessa after she left the program - not until the printed comments from her about the I-man came out. Then Imus went to war. It was shock and awe. It was also over the top entertainment.
Janice Dean has changed her hair from the Old Woman look and now is on fox doing weather wit Shep Smith. I would say it was a promootion even if she went to another network. Listen for her Janice Dean the weather machine is what they call her.
why don't you give it a rest?
I think what was said and done to Contessa was so outrageous that it calls for some sort of law suit. The whole Imus crew has gone so far over the line that it threatens to destroy the program. Contessa was way to classy for that locker rooom bunch. You had to ask yourself what in the world was a classy woman like that doing among those brain dead hooligans. It has gotten so that the only one who looks right on that show is the idiotic Bo Dietl, the constant visitor who makes me appreciate my mute button. If the usual sycopants like McCain and Russert don't wise up they are going to find themselves going down hill with the Imus train wreck that is coming. That ego driven idiot can't last too much longer. He seems to have gotten increasingly out of control. He should retire to his vegetarian ranch.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04292005/gossip/23600.htm
and the follow up...
http://www.nypost.com/gossip/43320.htm
I agree that Imus is an ass, a charitable ass, but an ass nevertheless. His adolescent humour is nothing but a coarse display of what those in his entourage really think...it is how they are...howard fineman, andrea mitchell, joe lieberman or Mary Higgins Clark, i believe, would have nothing to do with Imus without the relationship with MSNBC. His entourage is loyal and put up with his incessant nagging, bitching, and egoism, because he signs their check. Imus had the ratings, and the media is all about what can be billed based on your show's popularity. Imus's book is apparently downtrending. It's all about the money, honey. Plus, i think Bernie writes all the hard questions anyway. They oughta give him his own show.
I think it is time for an Imus paradigm shift. His life experience and success are valuable, but he might want to try being more sincere and share that within the framework of a morning show with some good music and interesting quests who might want to be there for a change. He could share some of the wisdom he has garnered through his interesting life, take a view, share a thought. He needn't continue to make actionable "fun" out of those who have less power than him. He acts like a psychopath toward some people. The people watching Imus in the morning aren't doing so because they want to see that shit. They watch MSNBC because its a little less propaganistic than Fox. But neither MSNBC, or Imus have any balls. Imus thinks he wants to follow Howard to satelite, and probably will, but i can't see people paying to listen to imus, i will pay to listen to Howard.
If Imus had a ball left, he'd figure out if those children with cancer are really benefiting from his ranch experience, and if his wife's attempt to green the hospitals of this country has any chance of sustained success, and then "retire" to the vegetarian ranch, write a book, dedicate his life to the kids, drop out of show business, and then go about "gittin' 'er done".
Imus is offensive, tasteless, classless, clueless, and drags down the otherwise-acceptable quality of MSNBC. On the MSNBC set he looks more like a senile bingo caller than anything else. His tasteless, clueless tirade about Contessa Brewer was totally out of line. Thank god for freedom of choice; I have switched from MSNBC to more relevant, meaningful and entertaining programming.
Imus Ranch. Brother Fred. Idiots at Wall Street Journal. Contessa the stupid slut, fat ass, can't read the news, hideous without makeup. And so on. Imus in the Morning is boring, repetitive and mindlessly predictable; MSNBC should replace it with a better program.
I watch Imus every morning on MSNBC. For the same reasons that most people can't resist looking at bad car accidents....After this fiasco, I quit! I can always listen to the stereo in the morning.
The powers that be at MSNBC (idiots...) apparently thought it would be a good idea to add a "news bunny" to Imus' program. When Amy Robach showed up I thought she must have lost a bet or something. She must have put her foot down and refused to participate in the career killer any longer. They then throw Brewer to the wolves...
What's wrong with her calling him a "cantankerous old fool"? He freely admits it himself. What his cronies at the show call him is much worse. But, ooohhh ooohhh, let Brewer say something and he lets rip with the fat and ugly comments, neither of which Brewer is, by the way...What a bunch of no-class, misogynistic creeps...
Imus blames his plummeting ratings on Brewer. Yeah, right, Don...I'm sure your falling numbers have nothing to to with the fact that you've been droning on, ad nauseum, for months, about mercury in vaccines and boring your listeners to death...
Imus insists that he can insult anyone he wants any time he wants. Go ahead Imus. I'm sure you're immune to cancellation. Heh, heh, heh...Isn't it pathetic how Imus has become what he probably detests the most- a cheap Howard Stern wannabe....
DON IMUS NEEDS A GOOD MEAL, A GOOD DRINK, A SOFT,CUDDLEY WOMAN LIKE CONTESSA AND MAYBE A CIGARETTE AFTERWARD. HE IS SIMPLY UNHAPPY AND SPREADS HIS MISERY!
Don Imus is bitter old dried up prune face bully. Contessa Brewer did not deserve to be talked about as if she was some idiot. Anyone that stands up to the that seventy old dope addict is attacked. Imus needs to pick on someone his own size like Gary Coleman.
Imus really showed how much a idiot he can be. Attacking Contessa Brewer and calling her a slut was utter nonsense.Imus should act his age of seventy -five.Maybe he needs more Vodka and cocaine to make his life more bearable.
Imus In The Morning is the most entertaining and informative morning program on TV, the only thing that comes close is
C-SPAN's early show. So you don't like the - sometimes - tastless material, Too bad, the other morning shows are so phony and painfully unspontainious it's sickening.
If you like the humorless focus on MJ, Lacy Peterson, and the like by all means don't watch Imus. McCord is the only news-caster the show needs.
Partial list of sponsors of Imus program on MSNBC: Ditech.com, Orbitz, Daytona Beach (FL), Smart Balance Margarine, Strattera.com (medicine), Ameritrade, E-Loan, Cingular Wireless, Kyocera Printers, Hyundai Cars, Best Western Motels, Capitol One credit cards, Vonage VOIP service, Life Alert, Ramada Hotels, Constellation Energy
Just to show what a gutless wonder Imus is all you had to do was watch his program this morn.
To the best of my viewing knowledge there was but one mindless allusion to Fridays program with a smug look no less.
Not surprising I guess for a guy with no balls.
Today I heard one of the baldies (Sid or Bernie) read a story about Tom Cruise's girlfriend still being a virgin and intending to remain chaste...only he pronounced it "chas-tee." And they made fun of Contessa's pronunciation?? It is painfully obvious that Imus' mental abilities wax and wane on almost daily basis. It is embarrassing and painful to watch. I wish he would retire with grace but it looks like he is hell-bent on expiring on-air. The question is whether anyone will notice...
Get over it - you yahoos - you are alway looking for a cause to jump on. The many years that Imus has insulted - all people - blacks, whites, indians, womens, his bosses, staff and is ever talking about himself. You don't seem to mind that he call Arabs 'towel heads' or reference to minorities as 'Lawn Jockeys' or insult Indians', presidents, vice presidents and foreigners. Like he and Howard said when it is about somebody else it is funny, when it is about you, your religion, it or some new bunny you like it is not funny. That bunny (Contessa) took a chance and lost. She did not fit - so she must quit.
As a watcher and listener of the Iman - I too get angry at him sometimes at somethings he and team say or do that I do not like.
I also find it funny when he bashes people I don't like - laugh out loud and tell my friends. I am alway wary of the people who prentend to be so outraged because someone says something they don't like. Yout think this is over the top - you are over the top by suggesting the someone be removed because you are upset. Get over it. Just turn the On button Off fools!!!.
Imus is nasty, decrepit, tiresome and a real bore as he raves on about anyone who dares to provote his ire. His attack on Ms. Brewer was totally uncalled for. I really do not understand why the suits at MSNBC continue to tarnish their image by keeping the ancient addict on the air. The yes-men who surround him and laugh on cue are pathetic. When men like Imus are yoked to controlling, independent women like his wife, attacking others who can not effectively fight back is how they get their kicks, no doubt. The old fool should be put out to pasture in New Mexico permanently.
I think a lot of you have it right. The attack was uncalled for. Any other company and Imus would be fired. However the bottom line is, well, the bottom line. MSNBC will scold him a little and just let everything continue. It really is all about the money, and MSNBC does not give a hoot about women any more than Imus does. They are just as guilty for letting this kind of crap continue as he is. BTW, Imus said he was taking the "high road" until Contessa said the he was "a cantankerous old fool". Quite frankly, I think she was dead on. If Imus thinks that it was Contessa’s fault his ratings are low, he really has not listen to his own show lately. God has he been boring. Between the Mercury/Autism jihad and the pumping of that idiot Dietl’s book, it’s a wonder that his ratings have not fallen further. Note to Imus: when you talk about Mercury, have Dietl on, or pick on nice pretty young women, we change the channel.
Contessa was just a bit TOO uppity for Imus in the Morning. Seemed to constantly be pushing her "I'm better than you" attitude on everyone, even Amy at times. And Janice Dean could NOT even BUY a brain. No CLUE how she landed on Fox. But when she's doin the Fox weather (especially Nascar) RUN!!!
Gawd --- you people are almost as incredibly stupid as Contessa Brewer.
Notice how rude all the Imus defenders in this thread are? I guess his loyal audience is made up mostly of people who can only express themselves by verbally abusing anyone who disagrees with them.
The Imus defenders are most likely Imus program staff. Who else would have such time to waste defending that nasty old rat
I guess I’d be a nasty old rat too if I looked back through the years and realized I’d completely failed in every conceivable measure of a good productive life other than getting money. And if I woke up every morning looking at a “trophy” sleeping next to me, knowing deep down inside she wouldn’t be there if I didn’t have a big bank account I’d probably treat women like crap too.
Well, I don't hold anything against imus for firing Contessa. Who am I to be telling Imus what to do. It is their treament of her before and after the I find ofensive. They will never be able to keep a woman on that show as a regular.
I listen to Imus on the way to work for the rudeness and the way he says horrible things to people.
I'm not "proud" of this fact and realize he's as bad as you all say....but I do listen for the entertainment value..and not just for the great guest.
It's like "reality" news. and yes ANYONE that goes on KNOWS what they are in for...If not, then they should be a little more aware.
Yes Imus is a mean,nut but he doesn't kowtow to anyone which is more than I can say for any other guy as entertaining as he is.
I do get tired of the bathroom humor but I still listen. Obviously so do many of you.
Old men become bitter towards young beautiful women because they can't bag them anymore. If this is the case then Imus has not developed fully as a human being. There is no other reason for his hostility against young beautiful women. He had no right or reason to tear her down everyday she was there. Contessa's assesment of him was laser sharp correct and that is why it stung him so much. He IS an old cantakerous fool. But I also thought her self serving characteriztion of herself as a "beautiful woman" was so vain and disgusting. Bottom line is IMUS needs to grow up and treat young beautiful women with respect. Be nice, be witty, be friendly. I could never understand what he had against her when I watched the show. He creates a tense atmosphere for her to trip her up, then when he does he jumps all over it as if he had no part in the matter. He's a cantakerous old fool who need to apologize to her. If not I would sue the shit out of MSNBC AND HIM and his croonies for being such vulgar creeps.
Contessa was a deer in the headlights as a news reader. Charles McCord would ask Contessa to comment on the press release that she had just read. Contessa did not have a clue as to what were the implications / issues. Contessa fits right in with the management at MSNBC / NBC, though they would probably take issue with the word right. Besides Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw the last credible person at NBC was Tim Russet. NBC lost it's credibility when Tim passed. As for Contessa, the IMUS show taught her to actually understand a story before just reporting it. Let us not forget the cork filled tunnel that IMUS reported years ago in which he said that traffic was stalled until the tunnel authority could get a cork screw, Charles McCord's sense of humor will be missed on the IMUS show, now simulcast on a far better network
Post a Comment