The TV Zone

You already know by now that Don Imus gave an extended mea culpa at the outset of this morning's launch of the new "Imus in the Morning" - yes, that's the name - on WABC. But here's some more news that came out of the launch: He's got two new hosts joining the show, and yes, both African American. No surprise there - that was expected - but we can get you the names right now:

First, we've got Tony Powell, an East New York-born comic who's worked the Apollo and other area venues (here's his "resume"). Powell replaces Warner Wolf, who - to his consternation - was never "invited" to rejoin the reincarnated "I in the Morning." Reason was obvious: Imus wanted to make room for someone who would expand, if you will, his racial horizons and defuse the "he still doesn't get it" critics. Interesting side note: Powell's never done any broadcasting, best I can tell.

Here's what Powell says about himself on his site: "Growing up in East New York, Brooklyn, survival requires one of three things; you either have to be a great fighter, fleet of foot, or be a whole lotta funny. Let's just say, Tony Powell ain't no Ali or Carl Lewis, he is however, a whole lotta funny."

Next up, Karith Foster, Harlem-born, who's the "comic sidekick" we heard was going to join. Believe it or not, some people actually thought Wanda Sykes (!) was the new female co-host. Why the "!"? Well, clearly some of those folks who believed this had no idea who Sykes was; f'rinstance, when asked by Jay Leno about the "nappy headed ho" gaff of last spring, she said: "I thought Imus died like nine years ago."

Back to Foster, who was - I hate to admit, but professional courtesy demands - first reported by the NY Post this ayam. On her website, she writes:

"Despite her Texas roots, 'I'm really a Jewish girl from Long Island trapped in this body, which technically makes me a JA-AP [Jewish African-American Princess].'"

In fact, on the air this morning, she said she's actually from the South (Plano, Tx.).