[BC] Imus threatens to shoot

[Barry Mishkind]

Imus threatens to shoot TKK's Severin in Hub dust-up
By Jessica Heslam
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Radio shock jock Don Imus threatened to shoot 
<http://www.wtkk.com/>WTKK host Jay Severin during this morning's St. 
Patrick's Day broadcast in Boston.

The confrontation - which both Imus and Severin confirm - occurred 
shortly after 6 a.m. when Severin went up on the Wilbur Theatre stage 
during a commercial break to say hello to friends who are members of 
the "Imus in the Morning" cast.

The exchange came a day after Imus' dramatic revelation that he has 
prostate cancer.

On stage, Severin and Imus exchanged greetings before Severin walked 
away to talk to pals.

Imus producer-sidekick Bernard McGuirk quickly called Severin back 
over because Imus wanted to talk to him. Severin squatted down to 
speak with Imus, who was seated in a chair on the stage.

In a profanity-laced rant, Imus lashed out at Severin for telling the 
Herald and his listeners in October that he would no longer appear on 
future "Imus in the Morning" shows because he was tired of the I-Man's insults.

Imus told Severin to get off the (expletive) stage or "I'm going to shoot you."

Imus then repeated the threat and turned toward Severin.

"Do you (expletive) understand what I'm saying to you?" he said. "You 
get off this stage right now or I'm going to shoot you."

Both Severin and his agent and attorney, George Tobia, confirmed the 
details of this account.

Several people witnessed the confrontation and were stunned.

Imus spokesman Matthew Hiltzik also confirmed the exchange, including 
that Imus said if Severin didn't get off the stage he would shoot 
him. But Imus said it in jest, according to Hiltzik.

"This is one of the most desperate attempts for attention that I have 
ever seen," Hiltzik added. "He was obviously joking - it was a figure 
of speech. And just for the record, Don is not very good at shooting 
people with his pencil."

Station owner Greater Media released a statement calling the I-Man's 
actions "unfortunate."

"Jay attempted to express his good wishes to Don, as he has on many 
occasions during the last several months. Don's reaction was 
unfortunate, and we trust that he will rectify the situation," the 
statement said.

After Severin left the stage, Imus lashed out at him on the air.

In October, Severin wrote McGuirk a letter telling him not to invite 
him on future shows.

"Then he blabs to the newspaper about it," Imus said of Severin, a 
longtime Imus show regular who defended him during the "nappy headed 
hos" scandal.

"So my policy, when people screw me like that, is to never talk to 
them again. I don't wish him any ill will. Don't run your fat mouth 
and screw me and think I'm going to forget about it because I'm not," 
Imus said.

Last week, Severin said he would appear on today's Imus broadcast if 
he was invited, but Severin was told Friday that Imus didn't want him.

Article URL: <http://bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1159277>