NEW YORK CBS Radio and MSNBC both said they were suspending Don Imus morning talk show for two weeks following his racially and sexually offensive reference last week to members of the Rutgers women s basketball team.

The suspension begins next Monday.

While CBS made its announcement without comment, MSNBC said Imus regret at making the inappropriate comment and his stated dedication to changing the show s discourse made it believe this was the appropriate response.

Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word, the network said. MSNBC simulcasts his radio program weekday mornings.

Imus, who has made a career of cranky insults in the morning, was fighting for his job following the joke that by his own admission went way too far.

He continued to apologize today, both on his show and on a syndicated radio program hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is among several black leaders demanding his ouster.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com

First Published April 9, 2007, 11:44 p.m.