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

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61. CRYPT KEEPER

Posted at 12:57PM on Apr 12th 2007 by You Rock MSNBC

62. if you say so,

Posted at 12:57PM on Apr 12th 2007 by pattie

63. Lol @ #45!!! Yeah then he went on to a long and successful career hosting "Tales from the Crypt"!

Posted at 1:00PM on Apr 12th 2007 by DOB

64. # 43

You are so right! What about it Sharpton, Jackson, and the Black Panthers,etc. Give a news conference and give the young men an apology. You won't because you are not man anough like Imus, and all of your other victims!

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by There I said it!

65. Ashleigh I think that you should have at least received a call from the ratings nut!! You know this business and it takes a thick skin....By the way I wish you a speedy delivery,and a very healthy and happy baby! You are definetly an excellent TV reporter and your talents are I feel being obscured by the venues they have you doing. You are more than this.....and you have a wonderful educated command of the English language!! Oh Canada!! This being written by a Scottish born, Canadian raised and educated new American. I do believe this gives us a little wider perspective. It is a pleasure to watch you and I hope to see more of you in the future in broadcasting.
All the best Maggie

Posted at 2:39PM on Apr 24th 2007 by Maggie

66. Ashley, I know we all think there is a double standard....You didn't have Al Sharpton, or the NAACP, Jesse Jackson, helping you out..... JUST A BUNCH OF WHITE CORP. HEADS! who obviously agreed with IMUS.....SAD, SAD


ASHLEY YOU ARE AN UPSTANDING JOURNALIST, WE ENJOY YOUR INTREGITY, GO GET THEM!!!

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by JoJo

67. Most of the people who listen to Imus are a bunch of dirty old men from the old school. Imus has always been disgusting.

I'm not a fan of Ashleigh Banfield, but she had the guts to stand up for herself getting trashed on the air. Ashleigh is so full of herself and has a higher than thou attitude. I hope she doesn't come back on the air after her maternity leave. Certainly the network can find a more down to earth person to replace her.

Posted at 1:06PM on Apr 12th 2007 by mldsap

68. No one will speak out against the degradation of women because the wealthy people who financially support liberal politicians are the ones doing it. If Sharpton, Hillary, Obama, N.O.W., JJ, or anyone else speaks against it... they have to then justify accepting donations from the very hollywood insiders and media moguls who do it and who make their livings off of it.

The IMUS story would never have seen the ligjht of day if a CONSERVATIVE media outlet had not made an issue of it and called for a public outcry. The liberals who pay the creep and who take donations from the people who pay the creep sure as heck weren't saying anything.

Posted at 12:07AM on Apr 13th 2007 by ClassyMissFancy

69. thank you 65#

Posted at 1:16PM on Apr 12th 2007 by pattie

70. #14 V -- THEN GET READY !!!

Posted at 1:31PM on Apr 12th 2007 by you said it 1st

71. Obama does not have my vote but....I hope a lot of other people do not vote for him ither.....because of what he did not say!

He should had said that language on BOTH sides would not be tolerated! I know where he stands.

Please people do not vote for him! In this time of so much going on we need EXPERIENCE! Not a pretty boy with the nack to gab.

Posted at 1:33PM on Apr 12th 2007 by There I said it!

72. Banfied, I only saw her show on Court TV recently, and she seems judgemental, and cranky as hell.

Posted at 3:21PM on Apr 12th 2007 by amazement

73. I am so tired of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton circling like buzzards waiting on
their next " cause ".
Reverse discrimination. I am tired of it and I think that MOST white people are.
Jesse and Al clean up your own life before you come minding my business.

Did anyone see Jesse and Al apologizing to the boys at Duke?

Posted at 1:57PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Quinton

74. i like ashlie at least she did not cow toe to stern !!! i find her fun to watch !!

Posted at 2:02PM on Apr 12th 2007 by kathy

75. Don Imus is a boring, cranky, deteriorating old fossil. Worse than that, he's just not funny even though he calls himself a "comedian". It's time to get some fresh, interesting new blood at MSNBC.

And by the way, I like Ashleigh Banfield. She's an experienced journalist who also has a pleasant and attractive demeanor unlike the ancient ruin, Imus.

Posted at 2:06PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Earnest

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