Imus in the Morning
Imus in the Morning was a syndicated American radio talk show hosted by Don Imus, which originated on WNBC in New York City in 1971 and aired weekdays until Imus's retirement in 2018.[1][2] The program featured a mix of satirical humor, news commentary, and interviews with politicians, celebrities, and other figures, often delivered in Imus's cowboy persona and supported by a regular cast including writers Charles McCord and Bernard McGuirk.[3] Syndicated nationally, it reached over 100 stations at its peak, attracting millions of listeners and briefly simulcast on MSNBC from 1996 to 2007.[4][5] Imus received four Marconi Radio Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters for his on-air personality, recognizing his influence in major markets and syndication.[6][7][8][9] The show's boundary-pushing style led to notable controversies, most prominently in 2007 when Imus referred to the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" after their NCAA tournament appearance, prompting CBS Radio and MSNBC to cancel the program amid public backlash.[10][11] Imus returned to radio syndication on WABC in 2008 after a settlement and apology, continuing until his announced retirement.[12] Beyond entertainment, Imus leveraged the platform for philanthropy, establishing the Imus Ranch in New Mexico to support children with cancer and raising substantial funds for related causes.[3]