Frank Rich: Imus show "fun." "At its best, it's a smart and provocative show."

Market Watch: JON FRIEDMAN'S MEDIA WEB
Imus' predicament left Frank Rich in a bind
Commentary: N.Y. Times columnist hadn't ruled out going on show

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- New York Times columnist Frank Rich, one of President Bush's most emphatic and eloquent critics, seldom has a problem expressing himself.

But Mr. Point of View sounded downright indecisive a few days ago when I asked him if he was planning to return as a guest on the disgraced "Imus in the Morning" radio show.

"I may," he answered then. "I'm not ruling it out."...

Before the news broke, I sought an interview with Rich because I respected his sense of fair play. In his Sunday column, Rich is extremely tough on Bush and his administration, but not malicious or reckless. I was curious to get his position on Imus; plus, he has been one of Imus' most high-profile guests since he first appeared on the show more than a decade ago.

What's going through Rich's mind these days?

"I'll have to wait and see how it plays out," he said. What would affect that decision? "How (Imus) comports himself and how the show shakes (out) when he gets back."...

***

Days before word came from CBS, though, Rich talked about what it was like to be on Imus' show. "It is actually fun," he commented. "It's essentially a comedy show. I've enjoyed matching wits with him. At its best, it's a smart and provocative show."...

As many of Imus' guests and fans have done this week, Rich tried to come to terms with the lethal labeling of Imus.

"I'm not convinced he is a misogynist, racist guy," the columnist said. "If this is the pattern of the show, no one will want to appear" on it again.

Ultimately, Rich said he wanted to reserve judgment until he had to make a decision about returning to the show: "I will decide when the question is asked." He stressed he was uneasy about dealing in a "hypothetical" situation....

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/don-imus-rutgers-furor-left/story.aspx?guid=%7B09574B9E-B1B1-4AC1-A3FC-4BCF661FF8C8%7D

be questionable.

Good for him.

And may he keep writing those scalding assessments of the numerous failings of the Bush administration.

were called on to deliver news in place of or in addition to Charles (some idea they tested out for awhile). He was horrendously ugly and abusive. It was so embarassing that I squirmed. He would talk on the phone with someone like Norah O'Donnell and hang up the phone and rip them mercilessly with abusive insults.

Some were live sittingless the ten feet away - given recognition and probably praise in the other parts of their lives and he was ripping them. Their face showed it all. But some were ripped and did not fight back. And returned again for some more.

I think there is a huge gap in observation within this communityy. And a huge difference in sensitivity and recognition of other people's pain.

Imus was an abuser. Which was better - the fun or the abuse?

Maybe there is a split here between people who have been targeted and those who haven't been in the way they recognize things that appear to be normal because a corporation allows it.

He's been a tough, clearn, smart, reliable voice for the progressive community against the atrocities of the Bush administration regarding Iraq and other issues.

That he appeared on Don Imus' program and had a good exchange of wits is not an indication that he promotes racism or sexism.

Frank Rich seems pretty thoughtful and reflective (though some Broadway people didn't think so, I hear).

I have loved his writing since GHOST LIGHT and all the work on theater with the NYTimes.

His insights into the Bush administration lift me every Sunday, when his column appears.

The OP cites commentary which appears to wish to paint Rich in a negative light for appearing on, or considering to appear further on, Imus' now-cancelled show.

In addition to its being a moot point, I would ask why the original writer, not DeepModemMom, selected Frank Rich for spanking.

That original writer needs to watch his step around my house.

coming out of his mouth.

Al Franken is also smart and funny. But he never got offensive.

They are shitting themselves looking for ways to explain why they were shmoozing with IgnorImus.

Here is a clue: this incident was one in a long list of despicable awful incidents.

Rich doesn't come off too badly in this colloquy (in my sole opinion), but a lot of people from both the political and the media worlds went on Imus' show and yukked it up plenty with him. I suspect the motivation for each person was different, but for a lot of them, it came down to knowing that being on Imus was a net positive, particularly if they had a book to hawk. Imus himself was quite taken with his ability to raise a selection on Amazon from a nowheresville four or five digit ranking to a respectable low hundreds or even double-digit ranking just from one mention on his show.

But the marker has been laid down, at least for now: People who weren't paying very close attention before are now going to be watching for this sort of mindless racism or sexism that just sort of burbles out of some persons when they have to keep a live microphone occupied for two or three hours. As someone else mentioned, Al Franken is funny and provocative, too; but he doesn't resort to cheap racism just because he has nothing else to say.