[audio:http://muskrat.middlebury.edu/lt/cr/faculty/jmittell-lt/fmmc0246a-s08-distribution/GeorgeDavidPodcastRacism.mp3]
This is a list of where we got the clips:
Clip 1: Michael Savage on “The Savage Nation,” as found on Air America Radio’s: “Why Don Imus? There are racists all over the media”
Internet Soure: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6GpAafmhBHQ
Clip 2: Bill O’Reilly on “The Radio Factor,” as rebroadcast on Keith Olbermann’s “Countdown on MSNBC.” February 20th, 2008
Internet Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/21/olbermann-slams-oreilly-_n_87821.html
Clip 3: President George W. Bush as rebroadcast on Keith Olbermann’s “Countdown on MSNBC” February 20th, 2008
Internet Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/21/olbermann-slams-oreilly-_n_87821.html
Clip 4: Don Imus on “Imus In the Morning” (broadcast on radio on Westwood One and TV on MSNBC) April 4th, 2007
Internet Source: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RF9BjB7Bzr0&feature=related
Clip 5: Michael Richards during a performance at the “Laugh Factory” in West Hollywood California. November 17th, 2006
Internet Source: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QgmCBKPHnSY
Clip 6: Rush Limbugh on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” September 23rd, 2003
Internet Source: http://mfile.akamai.com/5020/wmv/rushlimb.download.akamai.com/5020/Video/espn092803.2.56k.asx
Clip 7: Rush Limbaugh on “The Rush Limbaugh Show” January 24th, 2007
Internet Source: http://mediamatters.org/items/200701240010
Clip 8: Paul Shanklin skit broadcasted on “The Rush Limbaugh Show” April 2007
Internet Source: http://www.alternet.org/stories/50998/
Clip 9: Neil Boortz on “The Neal Boortz Show” as found on Air America Radio’s: “Why Don Imus? There are racists all over the media”
Internet Soure: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6GpAafmhBHQ
Clip 10: Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post on Keith Olbermann’s “Countdown on MSNBC.” February 20th, 2008
Internet Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/21/olbermann-slams-oreilly-_n_87821.html
George and David,
Great job on the podcast. I had actually never heard the Imus or the ESPN Limbugh broadcasts before (i’ve just read them), so it was very interesting to hear exactly the way they said what they said. I would argue that Limbugh’s statement was worse because he obviously thought about what he was saying beforehand (ie, he was actually INTENTIONALLY making that point about black quarterbacks). Imus probably said the more offensive remarks overall, but you can hear that he was prompted by one of his co-hosts. This does not excuse him in anyway, it just highlights how much worse Limbugh is. My dad remembers watching the Limbugh thing as it happened and he said what made him the most upset was that NONE of the other analysts on ESPN challenged Limbugh’s claim–they just let him make his point as if it was a valid one. The network fired Limbugh as you stated, but at the moment it happened, no one apparently did anything to challenge him.
Brian,
If you’re interested you can watch the actual Limbaugh train-wreck at http://mfile.akamai.com/5020/wmv/rushlimb.download.akamai.com/5020/Video/espn092803.2.56k.asx
You’re right, the other ESPN commentators (my main man Steve Young included) don’t take up Limbaugh on what he says.
You make an interesting point about how Limbaugh’s comments were premeditated and that makes them worse. I agree.
The first thing I noticed was the very dramatic use of stereo audio, emphasizing the conversational format, which might have been difficult to distinguish with two male voices inter-cut with radio clips.
Your argument was interesting and well and variously supported. The impersonal atmosphere of radio was well demonstrated in your podcast, and I think your use of the medium was both instructive and professional.