Train Wrecks
MSNBC: "Sluts" OK, "Hos" Not

Four years before Neanderthal Don Imus got tossed by MSNBC, an on-air Michael Savage called one of his own colleagues a "slut" who "looks like she went from porno into reporting" -- and nothing happened. Don Imus, Ashleigh Banfield
Ashleigh Banfield was with MSNBC in 2003 when Savage, whom she never met, ripped her on MSNBC's airwaves. Banfield was watching live at the time and immediately went to her bosses to ask for some kind of response. She got nothing.

"I am not sure if a lot of people understand what it feels like to be publicly besmirched by your own team," Banfield told TMZ. "But then to have nothing happen, to have no consequences because of it, is doubly painful."

Imus was dropped after he referred to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos." Savage was let go from MSNBC later in 2003 when he said a caller should "get AIDS and die."

Banfield, now with Court TV, says that MSNBC should be commended for not ducking the issue and for taking a stand. "I think it's an extraordinarily difficult decision that MSNBC had to make. But I do think that it's a very bold one and I think they should be applauded for not trying to sweep an issue under the carpet ... I wish they'd taken a bold stand when I was getting ripped in two on the air. " Better late than never.



Tags: ashleigh banfield, AshleighBanfield, don imus, DonImus

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 8) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

31. I could never stand him. Hes stupid, ignorant and downright irratating.... It was time for him to go.Now nex should be rosie.

Posted at 4:22PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Judy

32. #24 i'm a put those chains back on yo ass better watch out,,,,

Posted at 12:23PM on Apr 12th 2007 by massa

33. A few weeks back Ashleigh Banfield was on the show with Nancy Grace at Court TV.
Ashleigh Banfield used a southern twang answering a question of Nancy's.
Ashleigh is direct and quite disparaging at times.
MSNBC I cannot watch you any longer. Double Standards in the media outlet/entertainment industry.

Posted at 12:24PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Teresa

34. what is interesting if a woman looked like him on the airwaves they would of terminated her due to her face how come a guy that looks like that is allowed to be on the airwaves and denigrate women? He needs a really good plastic surgeon name change an extreme makeover. The other issue is history get over it hes a goner anyways.
Hey Imanass why don't you go and visit Michael Jacksons surgeon. Is your face hurting you it is killing me

Posted at 12:26PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Don imanass needs plastic surgery

35. WHAT IN THE HELL HAPPENED TO FREE SPEECH? IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT SOMEBODY SAYS, TURN TO ANOTHER STATION OR CHANNEL. THIS IS STILL AMERICA ISN'T IT? I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD STOP BEING SO THIN SKINNED.

Posted at 1:04PM on Apr 12th 2007 by nd

36. this is why we STILL have this problem, people who want to charge others, hate, no room for it, 20-liz, what are you trying to be a shock jock? theres no room for this, this is why we have SHARPTONS, JACKSONS, who aren't without sin, these people are dangerous, no matter the color, this is very sad, this is why we are laught at, THE UNITED STATES, people still have nothing better than to start crap. because they aren't happy, trouble makers, GROW UP PEOPLE, we all need each other. we are going to have WAR right in our own back yards. and we fight like little babies, SAD,

Posted at 12:31PM on Apr 12th 2007 by pattie

37. Well, MSNBC is no longer on my cable line up, also I'm dropping the sponsors as well!!! hit'em where it really hurts.....$$$$$$

Posted at 12:32PM on Apr 12th 2007 by marty

38. I'M A 38 YEAR OLD AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMNEN, I THINK IMUS SAID SOMETHING THAT WAS DUM ADN STUPID ON AIR ABOUT THE YOUNG LADIES AT RUTGER UNIVERSITY BUT, I THINK THIS WAS BLOWN OUT OF PORPORTION. PEOPLE ARE AFTER DON IMUS NOT BECASUE OF WHAT HE SAID THEY ARE AFTER IMUS BECASUE HE WAS REPORTING THE TRUTH ON HIS SHOW ABOUT THE BUSH ADMINASTRATION ADN THIS TERRIBLE WAR AGAIST ARABS. DON IMUS SHOW WAS A SHOW THAT I COULD TURN MY T.V. ON IN THE MORNING AND KNOW THAT I WAS GETTING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE AMERICAN DEATHS ADN THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN IRAQ. THE REAL REASON NBC GOT RID OF IMUS WAS BECASUE OF THE ADVERTISING SPONSORS ADN IMUS WAS REPORTING THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN IRAQ.

Posted at 8:35PM on Apr 12th 2007 by TRACY THOMAS

39. #32 shut the hell up, I say whatever I damn well please, this is a blog!!! FREE SPEECH!!!!

Posted at 12:36PM on Apr 12th 2007 by freespeech

40. imus has become a scapegoat thanks to sharpton and jackson. people who live in glass houses should't throw stones. he should never have placated these people by appearing on sharpton's show. the students at rutgers didn't even know who imus was. he apologized - enough already. put IMUS back on msnbc. he has too much to offer. - judy

Posted at 1:15PM on Apr 12th 2007 by judy

41. #30. I saw that also. Ashleigh was actually making fun of Anna Nicole & I guess she forgot that Nancy Grace is from the south. It was obvious that it pissed Nancy off. I can`t stand Ashleigh Banfield. I`m from the south also...I didn`t appreciate her little rendition of "trying" to sound southen. She`s a bitch & I will not watch her.

Posted at 12:37PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Texasgirl

42. What is this??? The year of "Don't call me a name or say anything mean about anyone?"
Get a back bone !! Remember the saying "Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones But Words May Never Hurt Me"???

I think IMUS should keep his job... I think Isiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy) should keep his job, I think Bill Maher should keep his job, I think Rosie O'Donnell should keep her job, Donald Trump should keep his job....even if I don't agree or like some of these people.... which some of them I don't care for.... but get a grip people. We have become a country of WHINERS!! Boo Hoo Boo Hoo.

Is this what it will be like if Obama becomes president? I am a democrat, but man.... I don't think I would want him to be president if we have to be in fear of being as critical of Obama as we have Bush (which I agree with being critical of Bush) in fear that we will be called a racist or that we are only being critical because his is black.

Ugghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone ever listen to Chris Rock on HBO??? He uses the "N" word so many times... so did Richard Pryor. And then the guy from Seinfeld gets the whip for using the same word????? I am so confused.

Posted at 12:38PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Diane

43. Michelle, #4 Comment
You sound like an idiot!!l- What a stupid comment, get a life!!!!

Posted at 12:39PM on Apr 12th 2007 by CANative

44. wow ! that hurt, NOT, i rest my case. 35#

Posted at 12:38PM on Apr 12th 2007 by pattie

45. Hey #32, Go preach to the REAL HATERS, al and jesse , instead of us bloggers here!

Posted at 12:39PM on Apr 12th 2007 by shame shame shame

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