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Imus to CBS -- You Wanted "Irreverent," Now Pay Up!

Posted May 3rd 2007 10:55AM by TMZ Staff

Don Imus may get the last laugh -- because the contract he signed with CBS seems to court the very behavior that got him fired.

In Imus' multi-year contract with CBS Radio, seen by CNN's Jeffrey Toobin, the shock jock was told by his employer to be "irreverent" and "controversial. " CBS fired Imus for his "nappy-headed hos" comment. The question for a jury: Did Imus give CBS exactly what it wanted?

Imus is still owed $40 mil on the five-year deal. CBS is clearly in a bind, because not only does the contract require Imus to be "irreverent" and "controversial" but the document says those qualities are "desired by Company" and "consistent with Company rules and policies."

The fired shock jock has lawyered up with one of the country's top trial attorneys, Martin Garbus, who says that Imus plans to file a wrongful breach of contract suit against CBS.

Tags: CBS, Don Imus, DonImus

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(Page 2 of 9) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. Go Get Em Imus!

Posted at 11:40AM on May 3rd 2007 by mickeylou

17. They should simply give the man his job back and admitt that they over reacted

Posted at 11:46AM on May 3rd 2007 by Mom

18.

Don, Stick it IN THEIR EAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 11:48AM on May 3rd 2007 by Sebastian

19. after that--sue fat ass rev Al !!!

Posted at 11:47AM on May 3rd 2007 by j

20. CBS wanted irreverent and controversial, they GOT irreverent and controversial. If that's what his job description (contract) says, then he held up his end and CBS should get out the checkbook.

Posted at 12:12PM on May 3rd 2007 by karrie

21.
Too much LAW-ER-ING going on here!

To arrive in a stretch limo, w/ camera's on, w/ estranged wife by his side, AND, (hello???) this was a sincere apology???

Come on America!!! Use your freedom to think!

Posted at 2:41PM on May 3rd 2007 by Observer

22. He needs to give it up, CBS had no choice onces the
sponsors started
pulling out. If it was just up to CBS, I think he would still be there
with all the evilness. But it is the sponsors who are paying the bills
that cause him to get the axe. Now let me see, now he is going to sue
them next because they would not back him for being sexist and racist.

Posted at 12:28PM on May 3rd 2007 by Lostone

23. ::: Applause :::: For Don Imus! I am supporting you all the way! You gave CBS what the contract said you were to do and got fired for it. Come on, CBS... write the man his paycheck in accordance to his contract. You deserve this CBS for allowing Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to run your business for a short while. Even Barrak Obama sided with these two when he should have remained quiet l... we as Americans know how to handle him at the Polls.

Posted at 12:29PM on May 3rd 2007 by homcarern

24. I hope Don kicks CBS's ass !!!!! I miss the hell out of his show on MSNBC TV every morning. I just hope he gets back on the air soon....and remains just the way he has always been.

Posted at 1:42PM on May 3rd 2007 by MikeC....

25. Pretty he ain't........Just look at Mick Jaggar and Larry King........they get the broads because of their $$$$$$$$$$$$......So does the I-Man.....that's obvious isn't it? How could they feel good about themselves?

Posted at 12:37PM on May 3rd 2007 by Ava Burnette

26. Good for him!! Hope he gets 40mil plus compensation for being treated the way he was. Also wouldn't mind seeing him sue Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for defamation of character. You can't exactly talk bad about him personally when all he was doing was his job, being in character as dictated by his contract. He should have never been fired in the first place!!

Posted at 12:39PM on May 3rd 2007 by lhc

27. MY god. That is one ugly man! How many years has he been a corpse?

Posted at 12:42PM on May 3rd 2007 by Lynda

28. YUK!

Posted at 12:45PM on May 3rd 2007 by MICHELLE

29. Imus should have been fired years ago! He is an arrogant disrespectful bully to everyone except the "old white boys club." Everyone who has been disgraced by him should be financially compensated for life! Take him to civil court all! He is a disgrace and an embarrassment to the white race!

Posted at 12:58PM on May 4th 2007 by lana

30. Imus deserves that and more.CBS fired him while knowing he was meeting with the team to give his condolences. They never let him properly appologize before firing him. So wrong. They should have to pay him what his contract was for then any other punitive damages that obtain. Good luck Imus. You did not deserve the harshness you recieved.I am sure I am not your only devoted fan. God bless.

Posted at 12:54PM on May 3rd 2007 by Mindy

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