New Imus Sidekick Says She's 'Not Paid to be His Policeman'
In an interview with Essence, Karith Foster talks at some length about her decision to sign on as one of Don Imus' new sidekicks.
"My parents were like, 'Is this something you want to do? Is this something you are prepared to do? Is this a person you want to work with?'" said Ms. Foster, a 33-year-old black comedian and Harlem resident.
"Well, I am not here to defend the man," she added. "I am also not paid to be his policeman. I am here to contribute to a historically entertaining show. I have no issue whatsoever speaking up when I feel the need to."
How did the gig come about?
Ms. Foster told Essence that she was simply in the right place at the right time.
"It was arranged through a manager," she said. "I remember very vividly when everything happened because my uncle had just passed away that weekend when everything broke, and [Imus] was meeting with the Rutgers women. I remember thinking, Wow, I just wish I had been there to be able to say something. It's kind of like the universe heard me."
But Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, commenting on Karith Foster casting, says she still has a few issues with the new hiring.
"Why comedians?" she asked of the new hires. "That's the only thing women and blacks can do is be funny? I don't find that encouraging." But, she added, "We have to wait and see what their contributions in fact are."
Oh the horror of it all!
Imus now casting comedians to perform comedy on a comedy program! When will these outrages end.
Gavin as president of an activist women's rights group advocated for censorship and black listing. NOW Gavin has established herself to be as humorless as she is hypocritical.
Aren't we fortunate to have "MS". GANDY around to tell us what is right and wrong. what would happen if we had to think for ourselves? Another sexist organization with no men members!!!Oh well.
Imus had put himself in something of a jam with Karith Foster. At least on the radio, she has zero comedic presence. She doesn't read her prepared material well. She seldom catches Imus's literary and musical references. He can't let her go without causing another big racial mess for himself.