Defiant Radio Station Will Air 'Best Of Imus'

A small California radio station says it would run a "Best of Imus" series next week in defiance of the firing of radio host Don Imus after he made a sexist and racist joke on his nationally syndicated show.

Fred Lundgren of KCAA-AM in San Bernardino, Calif., says his station would kick off the series Monday with the program that ended Imus' 40-year career, in which he referred to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's."

Lundgren said, "I'm not going to let networks dictate to me who I run on my station."

The station has broadcast the Imus program since 2003, plans to also air mostly supportive listener mail and e-mail reacting to the weeklong controversy. The station can be heard in communities east and south of Los Angeles.

Lundgren said the motive for broadcasting the Imus reruns is in part financial.

He said, "What Imus did was deplorable, inexcusable, but it shouldn't end the career of a man who has done so much good."

Another radio station fired its longtime morning DJ on Wednesday after he encouraged listeners to repeat talk-show host Don Imus' racially charged comments in an on-air contest.

Gary Smith told WSBG-FM listeners to call and say "I'm a nappy-headed ho" for Tuesday's "Phrase that Pays" contest, said Rick Musselman, executive vice president of station owner Nassau Broadcasting Partners L.P.

Musselman said three of the listeners who called were awarded tickets to a NASCAR promotion at a local club.

Station management reviewed a tape of the broadcast of the "Gary in the Morning" show and fired Smith, Musselman said.