Howard Allan Stern (born January 12, 1954) is an American radio and media personality most notable for his radio show which since January 9, 2006, has been broadcasting on Sirius XM, an uncensored
satellite radioA satellite radio or subscription radio is a digital radio signal that is broadcast by a communications satellite, which covers a much wider geographical range than terrestrial radio signals....
service. Although described by the media as a "
shock jockShock jock is a slang term used to describe a type of radio broadcaster who attracts attention using humor that a significant portion of the listening audience may find offensive...
" for his sometimes controversial commentary and segments, Stern argues it never was his intention to "shock" people, whether discussing world affairs or
the staffThe Howard Stern Show has gone through a number of staff members.-Howard Stern:Howard Stern is the show's host. In essence, Stern's show is a discussion of topics that include popular world affairs, celebrity gossip, self deprecation, bodily functions, conflicts among his staff, his own personal...
he works with. Stern is the highest-paid radio personality in the United States, including the most fined, following
a long historyFor most of its time at WXRK, a terrestrial radio station in New York City, the Federal Communications Commission has fined Infinity Broadcasting or radio stations that broadcast The Howard Stern Show, most of which concerned the broadcasting of "indecent material."-Overview:Stern is a polarizing...
with the
Federal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, directed, and empowered by Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President...
(FCC) since 1987.
Stern began his career in the radio industry in February 1975 at his
campus stationWTBU is a "Part 15" student-managed and -operated radio station at Boston University. This means it is not licensed by the FCC but operates legally under special "low power" rules...
at
Boston UniversityBoston University is a private nonsectarian university located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Although chartered by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1869, Boston University traces its roots to the establishment of the Newbury Biblical Institute in Newbury, Vermont in 1839...
, presenting a one-hour comedy program with college friends. Developing his on-air style for four years at Briarcliff Manor,
HartfordWCCC may refer to:* WCCC , a radio station licensed to West Hartford, Connecticut, United States* WCCC-FM, a radio station licensed to Hartford, Connecticut, United States* Warren County Community College...
and
DetroitWWWW may refer to:* WWWW-FM, a radio station licensed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States* WDTW-FM, a radio station licensed to Detroit, Michigan, United States, which used the call signs WWWW or WWWW-FM until October 2000...
from 1977–1980, Stern paired up with his on-air news anchor
Robin QuiversRobin Ophelia Quivers is an American radio personality most notable for being the news anchor of The Howard Stern Show. She has worked alongside Howard Stern since their pair-up at WWDC, a radio station in Washington, D.C. in 1981. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she reveals in her 1995 autobiography...
at Washington, D.C. in 1981. By August 1982, after having the top morning show in Washington, Stern arrived at
New York CityWNBC was a radio station that operated in New York City from 1922 to 1988. For most of its history, it was the flagship station of the NBC Radio Network. The station left the air on October 7, 1988; its former frequency is occupied by all-sports WFAN....
, the country's largest radio market. Despite numerous disputes with management, Stern would have the top afternoon show by mid-1985. After being fired that September he returned to New York airwaves after a two-month absence, broadcasting for over twenty years until leaving for satellite in December 2005, free from content restrictions imposed by the FCC.
Stern describes himself as
"The King of All Media" for his successes not only in radio but in print, film and television. His two books,
Private PartsPrivate Parts is the first autobiography of American radio presenter and media personality Howard Stern. Released on October 15, 1993 by Simon & Schuster, it is the fastest-selling book in the company's history. It was later adapted into a film in 1997 starring Stern and his radio show staff as...
(1993) and
Miss AmericaMiss America is the second book by American radio and media personality Howard Stern. Released on November 7, 1995 by ReganBooks, it became the fastest-selling title in the publisher's history...
(1995), received great media attention and sales, topping
The New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded in 1851 and published in New York City. The largest metropolitan newspaper in the United States, "The Gray Lady"—named for its staid appearance and style—is regarded as a national newspaper of record...
Best Seller listThe New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered to be the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in the The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is usually found inserted in the Sunday edition of The New York Times, or as a stand-alone...
within weeks of their release. The former was later adapted into a
1997 film of the same namePrivate Parts is a 1997 biographical film directed by Betty Thomas from a script written by Len Blum and Michael Kalesniko. Produced by Ivan Reitman and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film is adapted from the 1993 best-selling autobiography of the same name by radio personality Howard Stern...
directed by
Betty ThomasBetty Thomas is an American actress and director in television and motion pictures.-Biography:Born Betty Thomas Nienhauser in St. Louis, Missouri, Thomas graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree...
, which grossed over $40 million in the United States alone. Stern's television endeavours include various
late night showsAs well as his successful radio career, American radio and media personality Howard Stern has hosted a number of television shows since 1987.-The Howard Stern Show :...
and successful
pay-per-view specialsBetween 1982-1994, American radio and media personality Howard Stern has hosted a number of pay-per-view specials and released various VHS and audio tapes.-Negligeé and Underpants Party :...
, with
New Year's Rotten Eve 1994 becoming the highest grossing non-sports pay-per-view ever.
Childhood and early life
Stern was born into a
Jewish AmericanAmerican Jews, also known as Jewish Americans, are American citizens or resident aliens of the Jewish faith and/or Jewish ethnicity. The Jewish community in the United States is composed predominantly of Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe, and their U.S.-born descendants...
family (his Hebrew name is "Tzvi," pronounced ) in the
QueensQueens is the largest in area, the second-largest in population, and the easternmost of the Five Boroughs which form New York City. The Borough of Queens' boundaries are identical to those of the County of Queens , a subdivision of the State of New York in the Northeastern United States.Located on...
neighbourhood of
Jackson HeightsJackson Heights is a neighborhood in the northwestern portion of the borough of Queens in New York City, USA. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 3...
,
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
, who soon moved to the
Long IslandLong Island is an island located in southeastern New York, United States, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City, and two of which are mainly suburban...
town of
RooseveltRoosevelt is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 15,854 at the 2000 census.Roosevelt is in the town of Hempstead.-Geography:Roosevelt is located at ....
. His father Ben worked at WHOM, a radio station in
ManhattanManhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City, located primarily on Manhattan Island at the mouth of the Hudson River.New York County, which has the same boundaries as the Borough of Manhattan , is the most densely populated county in the United States, with a 2008 population of 1,634,795...
, which influenced his son's early interest in radio. His mother Rae, was a
homemakerA homemaker handles household responsibilities as his or her main daily activity. While not an occupation in the traditional sense, as it is not usually undertaken for monetary remuneration, a homemaker may work full-time to maintain the home environment...
for most of his childhood. Stern describes his only sister Ellen, who is four years his senior, as being his "complete opposite" since she is rarely mentioned on his radio show, though he maintains a good relationship as their personalities complement one another. Although both parents are Jewish, Stern's on-air banter is that he is only "half Jewish," with the other half being Italian because "it's very hard to be Jewish in this country ... my half Jewish side has been beaten with chains." Stern's paternal grandparents, Froim and Anna (
néeNEE, Nee, Née may refer to:* Née or Nee, French for "born", indicates a person's birth surname* Nee , a band in Kannada* NEE, a political party in Flanders, Belgium* "Ne~e?", a 2003 single by Aya Matsuura- People with the family name :...
Gallar) Stern and maternal grandparents, Sol and Esther (née Reich) Schiffman, were Austro-Hungarian Jews who immigrated to America at about the same time.
Stern often said that his parents verbally abused him as a child. During an August 1990 broadcast when old family recordings were replayed for the first time, some remarks have become show soundbites, including "I told you not to be stupid, you moron" and "Shut up! Sit down!" from his father at a seven year-old Stern. Stern said his mother ran her house with "the intensity of
HitlerAdolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , popularly known as the Nazi Party...
" and that his father's "favorite sport was yelling."
Adult life
Stern has long-claimed that he has a small penis. This assertion is used to comedic effect in a scene in
his 1997 filmPrivate Parts is a 1997 biographical film directed by Betty Thomas from a script written by Len Blum and Michael Kalesniko. Produced by Ivan Reitman and distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film is adapted from the 1993 best-selling autobiography of the same name by radio personality Howard Stern...
where he is shown showering with his African-American peers at
Roosevelt Junior High SchoolRoosevelt High School is a four-year public high school located in Roosevelt as part of the Roosevelt School District, serving students in grades 9 through 12. It is located in the hamlet of Roosevelt in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, U.S...
. He has long-asserted that he was one of the few white students in a predominantly African-American school. When Stern's family moved in 1969 to
Rockville CentreRockville Centre is a village located in New York's Nassau County on Long Island in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 24,568....
, he transferred to
South Side High SchoolSouth Side High School is the only public high school in the town of Rockville Centre, New York. South Side serves grades 9 through 12 and boasts a variety of academic, extra-curricular and athletic programs, including the International Baccalaureate Curriculum in junior and senior years. School...
, from which he graduated in 1972. Stern graduated at
Boston UniversityBoston University is a private nonsectarian university located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Although chartered by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1869, Boston University traces its roots to the establishment of the Newbury Biblical Institute in Newbury, Vermont in 1839...
in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in Communications, carrying a 3.8 Grade Point Average. It was during this time when Stern worked as a volunteer at the campus radio station
WTBUWTBU is a "Part 15" student-managed and -operated radio station at Boston University. This means it is not licensed by the FCC but operates legally under special "low power" rules...
. He now funds a
scholarshipA scholarship is an award of access to an institution, or a financial aid award for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
at the university.
Stern grew to be tall, standing . During his college years, Stern became a student of
Transcendental MeditationThe Transcendental Meditation technique, or TM technique is a form of mantra meditation introduced in India in 1955 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi...
which he practices to this day. He credits the practice with aiding him in quitting smoking and achieving his goals in radio. Stern has interviewed
Maharishi Mahesh YogiMaharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced the Transcendental Meditation technique and related programs and initiatives, including schools and universities with campuses in several countries including India, the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom and China.In approximately 1939, the Maharishi became...
, the founder of the technique, twice in his career. Stern's mother also learnt the technique, claiming it cured her depression.
Personal life
On June 4, 1978, Stern married college sweetheart Alison Berns at Temple Ohabei Shalom in
Brookline, MassachusettsBrookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town was 57,107.-Etymology:...
. They have three daughters – Emily Beth (b. May 7, 1983), Deborah Jennifer (b. May 9, 1986) and Ashley Jade (b. January 24, 1993). A hallmark of Stern's humor was his claiming to be tempted by the strippers, porn stars and lesbians appearing on his show, but always insisted that he had to be faithful to his wife. On October 25, 1999, Stern announced that he and wife Alison decided to separate. They amicably divorced in 2001, ending in a settlement. Stern began a period of single living on New York City's
Upper West SideThe Upper West Side is a neighborhood of the borough of Manhattan in New York City that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River above West 59th Street....
, dating a number of women including
Angie EverhartAngela Kay "Angie" Everhart is an American actress and former fashion model.-Early life:Everhart was born in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of Ginnie, a homemaker, and Bob Everhart, an engineer. The fifth child of six siblings, having four older brothers and a younger sister, she began modeling when...
and
Robin GivensRobin Simone Givens is an American film, television, and stage actress.-Early life:Givens was born in New York City, the daughter of Ruth Roper and Reuben Givens. Givens's mother and father divorced when she was two. She and her sister Stephanie were raised by their mother in New Rochelle, New York...
. Despite reportedly spending time with
Carmen ElectraTara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, dancer and sex symbol...
"five times", the two have denied there was anything more intimate than an outdoor shower in bathing suits.
In late 2000, Stern began dating model
Beth OstroskyBeth Ostrosky Stern is an American model, television personality and actress who is the wife of radio personality Howard Stern.-Early life:...
, who co-hosted
Casino CinemaCasino Cinema was a Spike programming block hosted by Steve Schirripa and Beth Ostrosky. The show, which was played around the commercial breaks of a film, featured the hosts teaching the audience how to play a casino game....
on
Spike TVSpike , a division of MTV Networks, is an American cable channel designed for an audience described demographically as "young adult males". The channel began life as The Nashville Network , founded by WSM, Inc...
from 2004 to 2007. She had also frequently appeared in the American edition of men's magazine
FHMFHM, originally published as For Him Magazine, is an international monthly men's lifestyle magazine.- History :The magazine began publication in 1985 in the United Kingdom under the name For Him and changed its title to FHM in 1994 when Emap Consumer Media bought the magazine, although the full For...
until it ceased publication in 2007. The pair have lived together in Manhattan with their
bulldogA Bulldog, also known as British Bulldog or English Bulldog, is a breed of dog which traces its ancestry to England. It should not be confused with other varieties such as the American Bulldog or the French Bulldog, which have a similar appearance.- Appearance :The bulldog is a breed with...
named Bianca Romijn-Stamos-O'Connell. Stern also owns a weekend house in the Hamptons on
Long IslandLong Island is an island located in southeastern New York, United States, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City, and two of which are mainly suburban...
. On February 14, 2007, after a period of seven years, Stern announced that he and Ostrosky became engaged. They later married on October 3, 2008, at the
Le CirqueLe Cirque is a French restaurant in Manhattan owned and operated by Sirio Maccioni. It first opened at the Mayfair Hotel in 1974. It closed and reopened as Le Cirque 2000 at the Palace Hotel in 1997. The latest installation of Le Cirque opened in 2006 in the Bloomberg Tower building at One Beacon...
restaurant in New York City.
Hobbies
Stern regularly plays
chessChess is a board game played between two players. The current form of the game emerged in Southern Europe during the second half of the 15th century after evolving from a similar, much older game of Indian origin...
on the
Internet Chess ClubThe Internet Chess Club is a commercial Internet chess server devoted to the play and discussion of chess and chess variants. ICC currently has over 30,000 subscribing members...
. He has taken on-line lessons from
Dan HeismanDan Heisman is a United States Chess Federation National Master and author. He is the two-time Open chess champion of Philadelphia , and the Philadelphia Invitational Chess Champion His Penn State team won the U.S. Amateur Team Championship in 1972...
, a
chess masterA chess master is a chess player of such skill that he/she can usually beat chess experts, who themselves typically can nearly always prevail against most amateurs...
from Philadelphia. He is a fan of comic books and science fiction, with his favourite superhero being
SupermanSuperman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective Comics, Inc...
. Stern is also a fan of the television show
The MunstersThe Munsters is a 1960s American television sitcom depicting the home life of a family of monsters. The show was a satire of both traditional monster movies and popular family entertainment of the era, such as Leave It to Beaver. It ran concurrently with the The Addams Family. Although the...
, and greatly admires the comedy of The Three Stooges.
Terrestrial radio
After graduating from Boston University, Stern worked briefly as a disc jockey at
WNTNWNTN is a daytime-only, 10,000 watt, omni-directional radio station licensed to the city of Newton, Massachusetts, serving the greater Boston area. It broadcasts on 1550 kHz on the AM radio dial....
in
Newton, MassachusettsNewton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2000 census, the population of Newton was 83,829, making it the tenth largest city in the state.-Villages:...
, followed by two years as a jock and
program directorIn service industries such as education, a program director researches, plans, develops and implements one or more of the firm's professional services...
for
WRNWWXPK, , is an Adult Album Alternative rock radio station in White Plains, New York. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and transmits from a tower in the Westchester County Correctional Facility with an EPR of 1.9 KW.-History:...
in Briarcliff Manor,
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, playing rock music. In late 1979, Stern landed his first morning position in
Hartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located in Hartford County on the Connecticut River, north of the center of the state, south of Springfield, Massachusetts. Its 2006 population of 124,512 ranks Hartford as the state's second-largest city, after Bridgeport. New...
at
WCCCWCCC may refer to:* WCCC , a radio station licensed to West Hartford, Connecticut, United States* WCCC-FM, a radio station licensed to Hartford, Connecticut, United States* Warren County Community College...
, whose
progressive rockProgressive rock is a form of rock music that evolved in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility."...
format promoted his development as a free form on-air personality. It was at Hartford when Stern met his future show writer and producer
Fred NorrisEric Fred Norris is an American radio personality known for being the longest-tenured staff member of The Howard Stern Show aside from Stern himself...
, a college student working the overnight shift at the time. By April 1980, Stern moved to FM radio station
WWWWWDTW-FM is a Rhythmic Adult Contemporary formatted radio station in Detroit, Michigan. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications. WDTW-FM is licensed for HD Radio operations; its secondary channel is called "The Mother Trucker" which features a mix of country music, southern rock,...
in
Detroit, MichiganDetroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, in the Midwest region of the United States. Located north of Windsor, Ontario, Detroit is the only major U.S. city that looks south to Canada. It was founded...
, further developing his show until the station adopted a country music format, much to his dislike. Barely a year in Detroit, Stern then worked mornings at
WWDCWWDC is a commercial radio station in Washington, D.C., broadcasting to the Washington, DC-Baltimore, Maryland area. WWDC airs an alternative rock format on 101.1 FM branded as DC101.-History:WWDC-FM signed on in 1947 as a beautiful music station...
in
Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. , formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790...
for a year, quickly becoming the city's top morning show in the quarterly
ArbitronArbitron is a radio audience research company in the United States which collects listener data on radio audiences similar to that collected by Nielsen Media Research on television audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became bi-coastal by merging with L.A....
radio ratings. It was at Washington when Stern paired with his on-air news anchor
Robin QuiversRobin Ophelia Quivers is an American radio personality most notable for being the news anchor of The Howard Stern Show. She has worked alongside Howard Stern since their pair-up at WWDC, a radio station in Washington, D.C. in 1981. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she reveals in her 1995 autobiography...
. In mid-1982 he returned home to New York City working afternoons at
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
's flagship AM radio station,
WNBCWNBC was a radio station that operated in New York City from 1922 to 1988. For most of its history, it was the flagship station of the NBC Radio Network. The station left the air on October 7, 1988; its former frequency is occupied by all-sports WFAN....
. Working at NBC at that time was
David LettermanDavid Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman...
, who became a fan of Stern's radio show. His guest appearance on
Late Night with David LettermanLate Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC hosted by David Letterman. It premiered in 1982 and went off the air in 1993, after Letterman left NBC and moved to The Late Show on CBS. Late Night with Conan O'Brien then filled the time slot...
on June 19, 1984, launched Stern into the national spotlight for the first time.
Following an abrupt firing from WNBC in September 1985, Stern quickly returned to FM radio by joining WXRK working afternoons on November 18, 1985. By February 1986, he moved to the morning drive time slot. By 1991, his show was syndicated on
WYSPWYSP is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Referred to on-air as "94 WYSP", the station broadcasts on the 94.1 FM frequency in the Philadelphia area. WYSP is owned by CBS Radio. Its studios are on the 9th floor of 400 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. The station's...
in Philadelphia,
WJFK-FMWJFK-FM, known on-air as 106.7 The Fan, is a sports radio-formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Manassas, Virginia, serving the metro Washington DC area...
in Washington, D.C. and
KLSXKAMP-FM 97.1 FM, known on-air as 97.1 AMP Radio, is a Top 40 radio station in Los Angeles, California. The station is owned by CBS Radio.The station had long been known as KLSX before the call sign changed on June 30, 2009.-Early history:...
in Los Angeles, and then nationwide by Infinity Broadcasting. The program made great sport out of feuding with other cities' top-rated morning personalities, and soon Stern's broadcast was number one in the country's several major
radio marketsA media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
. Stern remained at "K-Rock" until December 2005, a period of over 20 years.
Stern's outspoken style has brought criticism. For example, a few days after the murder of singer
SelenaSelena Quintanilla-Pérez , best known mononymously as Selena, was a Mexican American singer who has been called "The Queen of Tejano music". The youngest child of a Mexican-American couple, Selena released her first album at the age of twelve...
, Stern mocked the murder, poked fun at her mourners, and criticized her music. Stern said, "This music does absolutely nothing for me. Alvin and the Chipmunks have more soul... Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth." Stern's comments outraged and infuriated the Hispanic community across Texas.
On October 26, 2004, then chairman of the FCC
Michael PowellMichael Kevin Powell is an American Republican politician. He was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission by President Bill Clinton on 3 November 1997. President George W. Bush designated him chairman of the commission on January 22, 2001...
was being interviewed on KGO-AM radio in San Francisco when Stern called in and questioned Powell's credentials, and accused Powell and the FCC of crusading against Stern's show by levying huge fines but not allowing them their day in court to determine if the show is obscene.
Satellite radio
Stern announced on October 6, 2004, that he signed a five-year contract with
Sirius Satellite RadioSirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in the United States and Canada, owned by Sirius XM Radio. Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and...
, a medium free from the regulations imposed by the
Federal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, directed, and empowered by Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President...
. He was unhappy broadcasting on commercial radio, with the combined stresses of heavy censorship, editing by management, and lengthy commercial breaks weighed into his decision to move. Within the last month of his terrestrial radio run, Stern revealed he felt "dead inside" creatively. The contract with Sirius, which took effect on January 1, 2006, allowed Stern to have three channels, although only two are currently used. Sirius provided a budget of $500 million to pay Stern,
his staffThe Howard Stern Show has gone through a number of staff members.-Howard Stern:Howard Stern is the show's host. In essence, Stern's show is a discussion of topics that include popular world affairs, celebrity gossip, self deprecation, bodily functions, conflicts among his staff, his own personal...
and general production costs. His personal salary has not been revealed, though media sources claim that Stern netted a $218 million one-time stock bonus for meeting subscriber quotas.
In May 2006, Stern was included in the
Time 100The Time 100 is an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, as assembled by Time. First published in 1999 as a result of a debate among several academics, the list has become an annual event.-History and format:...
list by
TimeTime is an American newsmagazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong. As of 2009, Time no longer publishes a Canadian advertiser edition...
magazine, part of the hundred most influential people in the world. and was ranked number seven in "World's Most Powerful Celebrity" by
ForbesForbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, Forbes magazine, is published fortnightly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published fortnightly, and Business Week...
.
CBS lawsuit
On February 28, 2006,
CBS RadioCBS Radio Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, fourth behind main rival Clear Channel Communications , Cumulus Media and Citadel Broadcasting...
(formerly Infinity Broadcasting) announced it had filed a lawsuit against Stern, his agent Don Buchwald, and Sirius, arguing that Stern promoted Sirius "to enrich himself unfairly." It also claimed that Stern "repeatedly and will-fully" breached his contract with CBS, "misappropriated millions of dollars worth [of airtime]" for his own benefit and "fraudulently concealed" his performance-related interests in Sirius stock. The suit, filed in New York State Court, sought compensatory and
punitive damagesPunitive damages are damages intended to reform or deter the defendant and others from engaging in conduct similar to that which formed the basis of the lawsuit...
. Stern anticipated the suit, and earlier that day, prior to CBS' announcement, held a press conference, discussing how CBS added to the media attention, even booking him for appearances on
Late Show with David LettermanLate Show with David Letterman is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and bandleader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra,...
and
60 Minutes60 Minutes is an American investigative television newsmagazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by long time producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation. It has been among the top-rated TV programs for much of its life,...
. "I made them millions of dollars," Stern argued. "If I was hurting them, why did they keep me on the air for fourteen months? How can you have it both ways?"
When a settlement was announced on May 26, 2006, Sirius gained exclusive rights to Stern's back catalogue of radio broadcasts at WXRK from November 1985 to December 2005, totalling almost 23,000 hours. The rights, costing Sirius approximately $2 million, equates to approximately $87 per-hour of tape.
Television and pay-per-view
Stern's career in television began in May 1987, when Fox was looking for a late night talk show to replace
The Late ShowThe Late Show is an American late night talk show and the first series broadcast on the then-fledgling Fox Network. Originally hosted by comic actress Joan Rivers, it first aired on October 9, 1986 under the title The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers....
, then hosted by
Joan RiversJoan Rivers is an American comedian, actress, talk show host and businesswoman. She is known for her brash manner and loud, raspy voice with a heavy metropolitan New York accent, and numerous cosmetic surgeries...
. Stern then recorded five pilot episodes of
The Howard Stern Show which ultimately, never made it to air. In July 1990, Stern began an weekly hour-long comedy show on
WWOR-TVWWOR-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the flagship station of the MyNetworkTV network licensed to Secaucus, New Jersey and serving the New York City metropolitan area. WWOR is owned by Fox Television Stations, a division of the News Corporation, and is a sister station to Fox network flagship WNYW...
, also called
The Howard Stern Show. Lasting a total of 69 episodes before ending in 1992, Stern felt production began to interfere with the growth of his radio show. Stern however, began his time on the E! Entertainment Television network in late 1992, hosting a one-on-one celebrity interview show named
The Howard Stern Interview.
In June 1994, cameras were installed in the radio show studio to produce a half-hour show named
Howard Stern shown on E!. A consistent ratings winner, the show came to an end after eleven years in July 2005. During this time, Stern competed with
Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a weekly late-night sketch comedy and variety show filmed in New York City. It made its debut on October 11, 1975, under a slightly different title. The show features a regular cast of comedy actors, joined by a guest host and musical act...
with
The Howard Stern Radio Show, a Saturday night show broadcast on
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is an American television network, one of television's original "big three", which also include NBC and ABC. Like NBC, CBS started out as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System...
and its affiliates. This was soon to be unsuccessful, with Stern's show being beaten by
SNL in the ratings. The show ran for 84 episodes until May 19, 2001. Stern quit further episodes so he could produce a syndicated show called
Kane, yet the show was never produced. He was also involved with a pilot starring comedian
Robert SchimmelRobert George "Bob" Schimmel is an American stand-up comedian whose material is often X-rated and controversial. He is perhaps best known for his comedy albums and his appearances on HBO and The Howard Stern Show...
that didn't get picked up as a series.
In 2002, Stern's production company, Howard Stern Productions, acquired the rights to the 1979 film
Rock 'n' Roll High SchoolRock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 musical comedy film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and featuring The Ramones.The film starred P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, and Clint Howard. Darby Crash and Lorna Doom of The Germs also played extras in this film...
and the 1982 film
Porky'sPorky's is a comedy film about the escapades of teenagers at the fictional Angel Beach high school in Florida in 1954. It was released in the United States in 1982, and spawned two sequels: Porky's II: The Next Day and Porky's Revenge and influenced many writers in the teen film genre...
, neither of which have yet to be re-made. Stern was also a producer of the series
Son of the BeachSon of the Beach is an American sitcom that aired from 2000 to 2002 on the FX network. The series was a spoof of Baywatch, with much of the comedy of the series based on sexual jokes, innuendo and the like...
, which ran for three seasons. He informed listeners in early 2004 that he was in talks with
ABCThe American Broadcasting Company is an American television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. It first broadcast on television in 1948...
to produce an interview special, which never materialized. He also intended to produce two cartoons,
Doomsday and
Howard Stern: The High School Years, but neither of these ever made it to the airwaves. In 2009, Stern explained that he refused to agree to flash animation over traditionally drawn cartoons.
Print
Stern released his first autobiography,
Private PartsPrivate Parts is the first autobiography of American radio presenter and media personality Howard Stern. Released on October 15, 1993 by Simon & Schuster, it is the fastest-selling book in the company's history. It was later adapted into a film in 1997 starring Stern and his radio show staff as...
, on October 15, 1993. It quickly became top of
The New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded in 1851 and published in New York City. The largest metropolitan newspaper in the United States, "The Gray Lady"—named for its staid appearance and style—is regarded as a national newspaper of record...
Best Seller listThe New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered to be the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in the The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is usually found inserted in the Sunday edition of The New York Times, or as a stand-alone...
, and after five days, the fastest-selling in publisher
Simon & SchusterSimon & Schuster, Inc., a division of CBS Corporation, is a publisher founded in New York City in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. It is one of the four largest English language publishers, alongside Random House, Penguin, and HarperCollins...
's 70-year history. Stern released his second book, titled
Miss AmericaMiss America is the second book by American radio and media personality Howard Stern. Released on November 7, 1995 by ReganBooks, it became the fastest-selling title in the publisher's history...
, on November 7, 1995. It too, became number one across the country within weeks of its release.
Stern has written
forewardsA foreword is a piece of writing often found at the beginning of a book or other piece of literature, before the introduction, and written by someone other than the author of the book. A preface, by contrast, is written by the author of the book, although sometimes the two terms are used...
for
Steal This Dream, a biography of
Abbie HoffmanAbbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman was a social and political activist in the United States who co-founded the Youth International Party...
,
Disgustingly Dirty Joke Book by former show writer and comedian
Jackie MartlingJackie Martling is an American comedian, comedy writer and radio personality. He is best known for being a writer on The Howard Stern Show from 1983-2001.-Early life and career:...
, and
Too Fat to FishToo Fat to Fish is a book written by American comedian, actor and personality on The Howard Stern Show Artie Lange with co-author and journalist Anthony Bozza, published by Spiegel & Grau, a division of Random House. Released on November 11, 2008, the book is a collection of narrative episodes...
by current comedian
Artie LangeArthur Steven "Artie" Lange, Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, radio personality author and actor. Lange is most notable for replacing Jackie Martling on The Howard Stern Show, and as a member of the original cast of the sketch comedy series MADtv...
.
Film and music
Stern's
1993 autobiographyPrivate Parts is the first autobiography of American radio presenter and media personality Howard Stern. Released on October 15, 1993 by Simon & Schuster, it is the fastest-selling book in the company's history. It was later adapted into a film in 1997 starring Stern and his radio show staff as...
was adapted into an eponymous biographical film in 1997, developed from a script by
Len BlumLen Blum is an award winning Canadian screenwriter, film producer and film composer. He graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1975 and wrote many films including Meatballs, Stripes, Heavy Metal, Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone, Meatballs III: Summer Job, Feds,...
and Michael Kalesniko. Directed by
Betty ThomasBetty Thomas is an American actress and director in television and motion pictures.-Biography:Born Betty Thomas Nienhauser in St. Louis, Missouri, Thomas graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree...
, the film topped the
box officeA box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to a venue. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall, or at a wicket...
in its opening weekend with a gross of $14.6 million, and slightly more than $41 million in total. Although receiving mostly positive reviews from critics including Siskel and Ebert,
Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films. The name derives from the historical cliché of throwing tomatoes and other produce at stage performers if a performance was particularly bad.- History :...
claim the film glossed over Stern's use of his sexual and racial humor. For his performance, Stern won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for "Favorite Male Newcomer." The awards are given based on write-in votes from fans, and Stern won by a wide margin. Stern was also nominated for a
Golden Satellite AwardThe Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards.- Film :*Best Actor – Drama*Best Actor – Musical or Comedy*Best Actress – Drama...
for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy)," and a Razzie Award for "Worst New Star."
Political
In 1994, Stern embarked on a political campaign for Governor of New York, formally announcing his candidacy under the
Libertarian PartyThe Libertarian Party is a United States political party founded on December 11, 1971.In the 30 states where voters can register by party there are over 200,000 voters registered with the Libertarian Party, making it one of the largest of America's alternative political parties...
ticket. His platform included restoring the death penalty, limiting road construction work to night hours, and abolishing tolls. However, he subsequently withdrew his candidacy because he did not wish to comply with the financial disclosure requirements for candidates.
In popular culture
Stern's prevalent media presence has led to his being parodied or referenced in various outlets;
- His radio show is spoofed briefly in British
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
satireSatire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods,...
Brasseye as The Adolf Snarn Show during the "Sex" episode.
- In the Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television sitcom, created by Seth MacFarlane, for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family which consists of Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, Stewie, and their pet dog Brian...
episode "Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington"Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington" is the 31st episode of Family Guy. It guest-stars Alyssa Milano as herself, Ricky Blitt as her agent, Joel; and Jack Sheldon as the Bill. The title parodies the movie Mr...
", a flashback depicts Peter GriffinPeter Löwenbräu Griffin is a fictional character, and the protagonist of the FOX animated comedy series Family Guy. Peter is the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is married to Lois, and is the father of Meg, Chris, and Stewie...
repeatedly yelling "Bababooey!" at the Clarence ThomasClarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, having served since 1991. Justice Thomas is the second African American to serve on the nation's highest court, after Justice Thurgood Marshall, whom he succeeded.Thomas grew up in Georgia, and graduated from...
hearings, a reference to Stern fans' practice of shouting that word (itself a reference to Stern's producer, Gary Dell'AbateGary Patrick Angelo Dell'Abate is an American radio producer, known for being the executive producer of The Howard Stern Show.-Early life and career:...
) in order to disrupt live call-in TV and radio shows, or television reporters' live stand-ups.
- In the Futurama
Futurama is an animated American sci-fi sitcom created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X. Cohen for the Fox network. The series follows the adventures of a late 20th-century New York City pizza delivery boy, Philip J...
episode "The Luck of the Fryish", while walking down an empty 'Old' New York City, Fry yells out "Howard Stern is overrated!".
- He has been twice depicted in the MTV
MTV is a cable television network based in New York City and launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs...
claymation comedy Celebrity DeathmatchCelebrity Deathmatch was a claymation parody television show that pitted celebrities against each other in a wrestling ring, almost always ending in the loser's gruesome death...
, first as the victorious opponent of Kathie Lee GiffordKathie Lee Gifford is an American television hostess, singer, actor, noted for her 15-year run on the talk show Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, which she co-hosted with Regis Philbin. She has received 11 Emmy nominations...
, and again as a guest referee in a match between Carmen ElectraTara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, dancer and sex symbol...
and Jenny McCarthyJennifer Ann "Jenny" McCarthy is an American model, comedian, actress, author, and activist. She began her career as a Playboy magazine model in 1993, before launching a television and film acting career...
.
- In the South Park
South Park is an American animated sitcom created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become infamous for its crude, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
episode "Fat Camp"Fat Camp" is episode 63 of the Comedy Central series South Park. It originally aired on December 6, 2000.-Plot:During a science class, the boys dare Kenny to eat a manatee's spleen, which Kenny does in exchange for money...
", Kenny McCormickKenny McCormick is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is one of the four central characters along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Eric Cartman. His oft-muffled and indiscernible speech, the result of the parka hood covering his mouth, is...
has oral sexOral sex is sexual activity involving the stimulation of the genitalia by the use of the mouth, tongue, teeth or throat. Cunnilingus refers to oral sex performed on females while fellatio and irrumatio refer to oral sex performed on males. Analingus refers to oral stimulation of a person's anus...
with Stern in exchange for money.
- In the 1990s show Animaniacs
Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros. and produced by Amblin Entertainment. The cartoon was the second animated series produced by the collaboration of Steven Spielberg and Warner Bros. Animation during...
episode Morning Malaise, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot enter the studio of "Howie Tern," a clear parody of Howard Stern.
- Both Howard Stern and The Lion King
The Lion King is a American animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Released to theaters on June 15, 1994 by Walt Disney Pictures, it is the 32nd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. The story, which was strongly influenced by the William Shakespeare play Hamlet,...
are parodied on The CriticThe Critic was an American animated series revolving around the life of movie critic Jay Sherman, voiced by actor Jon Lovitz. It was created by Al Jean and Mike Reiss, both of whom had worked as writers on The Simpsons. The Critic had 23 episodes produced, first broadcast on ABC in 1994, finishing...
as animals would gather around the New York area to worship The Cockroach King. Stern would then ask a cricket to show him her thorax, which she would cheerfully giggle to.
See also
- Howard 100 News
The Howard 100 News team is a news team devised by American talk radio show host and media personality Howard Stern, following his move to SIRIUS XM Radio in January 2006 after broadcasting his popular radio show on WXRK from 1985-2005...
- List of celebrity guests on The Howard Stern Show
- Howard Stern pay-per-view specials and tapes
Between 1982-1994, American radio and media personality Howard Stern has hosted a number of pay-per-view specials and released various VHS and audio tapes.-Negligeé and Underpants Party :...
- Sirius XM Radio
- The Wack Pack
The Wack Pack is the name given to a wide assortment of personalities heard throughout the history of The Howard Stern Show. As a parody of the Rat Pack or Brat Pack, they are a considerable part of what the radio show became notable for...
Official sites
Other sites
- howardstern.wikia.com - A Howard Stern Wikia
Wikia is a free web hosting service for wikis which targets communities, both those established offline and those with a purely online following...
Project