The Wack Pack
Encyclopedia
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. Members of the pack, known as "Wack Packers", tend to be unusual in some way such as being blatantly racist, mentally disabled, perverted or having a comical voice, appearance or ability. Not every regular guest on the show is considered a member, nor are any of the show's staff members
.
Through their appearances on the radio show, some Wack Packers have gained notoriety for personal appearances around the country and occasionally, played small roles in films and television programs.
, Howard Stern
lists early members of the Wack Pack, including Irene the Leather Weather Lady, who is essentially the first Wack Packer, having met Stern in May 1980 when he was broadcasting from WWWW
in Detroit, Michigan
. The introduction of Fred the Elephant Boy on the radio show on November 28, 1988 however, among a collection of others, made Stern call these group of show personalities as the "Wack Pack" on July 6, 1990 as documented in The History of Howard Stern
.
On October 20, 2005, it was announced that the Wack Pack were to elect their own "Pope
" from the group. In addition to the honour of "leading" the group, the winner would receive a $10,000 prize. The contest however, seemed to be scrapped, as it has not been mentioned on-air since the show's move to Sirius XM Radio.
On June 19, 2006, the show organised a contest for the next Wack Pack member, with the winner receiving $10,000. The winner was Bigfoot (Mark Shaw, Jr.). A second contest was held on Stern's Sirius/XM Radio show in 2010 and the winner was Hillbilly Jack. However, Hillbilly Jack has never reappeared on the show since winning the contest.
Rat Pack
The Rat Pack was a group of actors originally centered on Humphrey Bogart. In the mid-1960s it was the name used by the press and the general public to refer to a later variation of the group, after Bogart's death, that called itself "the summit" or "the clan," featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean...
or Brat Pack
Brat Pack (movies)
The Brat Pack is a nickname given to a group of young actors who frequently appeared together in teen-oriented coming-of-age films in the 1980s. First mentioned in a 1985 New York magazine article, it is now usually described as the cast members of two specific films released in 1985 – The...
, they are a considerable part of what the radio show became notable for. Members of the pack, known as "Wack Packers", tend to be unusual in some way such as being blatantly racist, mentally disabled, perverted or having a comical voice, appearance or ability. Not every regular guest on the show is considered a member, nor are any of the show's staff members
The Howard Stern Show staff
Throughout its nearly 30 year run The Howard Stern Show has gone through a number of staff members and contributors.-Current staff:These staffers currently work for and appear on the show on a regular, if not hourly basis.-Howard Stern:...
.
Through their appearances on the radio show, some Wack Packers have gained notoriety for personal appearances around the country and occasionally, played small roles in films and television programs.
History
In the 1993 book Private PartsPrivate Parts (book)
Private Parts is the first autobiography of American radio presenter Howard Stern. Released on October 7, 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 themselves...
, Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
lists early members of the Wack Pack, including Irene the Leather Weather Lady, who is essentially the first Wack Packer, having met Stern in May 1980 when he was broadcasting from WWWW
WWWW-FM
WWWW-FM - "W4 Country" - is a country music radio station based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, broadcasting on 102.9 MHz.-Early years:The 102.9 frequency began operations in or on March 1, 1962 as WOIA and was co-owned with WOIB-AM 1290 in Saline, Michigan. Originally, WOIA and WOIB simulcast a middle of...
in Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The introduction of Fred the Elephant Boy on the radio show on November 28, 1988 however, among a collection of others, made Stern call these group of show personalities as the "Wack Pack" on July 6, 1990 as documented in The History of Howard Stern
The History of Howard Stern
The History of Howard Stern is a radio documentary series about the life, career and achievements of American radio personality Howard Stern broadcast on Howard 100 and Howard 101 on Sirius XM Radio. The on-going series has featured 35 episodes across four "Acts" as of January 2011...
.
On October 20, 2005, it was announced that the Wack Pack were to elect their own "Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
" from the group. In addition to the honour of "leading" the group, the winner would receive a $10,000 prize. The contest however, seemed to be scrapped, as it has not been mentioned on-air since the show's move to Sirius XM Radio.
On June 19, 2006, the show organised a contest for the next Wack Pack member, with the winner receiving $10,000. The winner was Bigfoot (Mark Shaw, Jr.). A second contest was held on Stern's Sirius/XM Radio show in 2010 and the winner was Hillbilly Jack. However, Hillbilly Jack has never reappeared on the show since winning the contest.
Current Wack Packers
- Jeff the Drunk, an alcoholic with a paralyzed arm, who frequently gets into trouble because of his alcoholAlcoholIn chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
and drug problems. On March 26, 2007, televangelist Bill KellerLive PrayerLive Prayer is a Christian evangelical Internet and television ministry located in Tampa, Florida and run by Bill Keller.Currently the ministry is being operated out of a USED CAR LOT...
— who was making a guest appearance on The Howard Stern Show — counseled Jeff and offered to get him a job as a carpenter's assistant — Jeff's life-long dream.
- BeetlejuiceBeetlejuice (entertainer)Lester Napoleon Green , known legally as Beetlejuice , is a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show and a member of Stern's Wack Pack. He has appeared in feature films as well as performed voice-over work...
(Lester Green) - Crackhead Bob
- Crazy Alice
- Bigfoot (Mark Shaw Jr.)
- Debbie the Pet Lady
- Elliot Offen
- Eric the Midget (aka Eric the Actor)Eric the MidgetEric Lynch , better known as Eric the Midget or Eric the Bedhumper, is known solely as a fan of The Howard Stern Show. He is considered a part of the Wack Pack, though membership is unofficial. Lynch is tall, weighs , and uses a motorized wheelchair, in addition to various other afflictions...
(Eric Lynch) - Evil Dave LettermanEvil Dave LettermanDave Van Dam is an American voice impressionist who has appeared on The Howard Stern Show since 1999. With only a minor adjustment, Van Dam can accurately impersonate the voice of American late night talk show host David Letterman which is used to comedic effect on The Howard Stern Show...
(Dave Van Dam) - High Pitch Eric
- John the Stutterer
- Mariann from Brooklyn
- Nicole BassNicole BassNicole Bass-Fuchs is an American bodybuilder, actress, pornographic dominatrix actress, professional wrestler and valet previously working for companies such as Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation, XPW, and the National Wrestling Alliance.-Bodybuilding career:Nicole Bass...
- Siobhan Meow
- Underdog Lady Suzanne MuldowneySuzanne MuldowneySuzanne Muldowney is a performance artist best known for her appearances on The Howard Stern Show to discuss and perform her dance interpretation of the cartoon character Underdog.-History:...
- Yucko the ClownYucko the ClownRoger Black is an insult comedian known for his character Yucko the Clown.Yucko is a regular guest on The Howard Stern Show.He is also known for starring in The DAMN! Show along with fellow writer and creator Waco O'Guin and MTV2 series Stankervision, which included sketches from The DAMN! Show,...
(Roger Black)
Deceased Wack Packers
- Big Foot (Original) (Matthew McGroryMatthew McGroryMatthew McGrory was an American actor, known for his great height.-Early life:McGrory was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania. McGrory studied pre-law at Widener University, where he resided in campus housing on the first floor of Howell Hall. Studied Criminal Justice at West Chester University....
) - Blue Iris
- Hank the Angry Drunken DwarfHank the Angry Drunken DwarfHenry Joseph Nasiff Jr. , better known as Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf, was an American entertainer. He appeared numerous times on The Howard Stern Show as a member of the show's Wack Pack. He began August 16, 1996 when he entered the studio of radio station WXRK in New York City...
- Irene the Leather Weather Lady (Irene De Cook)
External links
- Wack Pack Profiles on HowardStern.com
- Howard Stern Wikia A Howard Stern Wikia Project