The Howard Stern thread

[Booker Floyd]

Why cant you like Opie and Anthony as well as Howard Stern?

Those who like both can.

It just seems like Booker that you are tryin to put down Stern to enhance O&A.

Nope.  Though I was still a fan, I noticed the decline before O&A came to Philly.  Its my opinion that hes declined steadily since and Ive stated why several times.  Its for those reasons that I stated that I dont care for his current show.

If I still liked Sterns show, Id be a fan of both...and being that I love his old show and was once a huge fan, I suppose I still am in some way.  O&A feuded bitterly with Don & Mike in early 2002 and it had no effect on my opinion of their show, which I listened to and somewhat enjoyed.  Trust me when I say I have no interest in "taking sides," I just dont like Sterns show very much anymore.  I still think that he is naturally very funny and it comes through sometimes.  Ill be listening for the first time in awhile this week when Jackie visits.   

[pilferk]

From what I understand, hell only be doing 4 days a week on Sirius.? Also, hell probably be taking his usual 10 weeks of vacation on top of it.

Same 5 days a week (according to Sirrius, anyway) and same amount of vacation time (according to Stern).

[pilferk]

Yes, they talked about him...thats what led to the gag order.? Then they tried getting around it by referring to him as "Radio Edit."? That was soon squashed.? Then they signed a new contract in 2001 that supposedly gave them freedom to talk about him...that was circumvented by management telling them that while they could talk about him, WNEW Ken Stevens would punished, and possibly fired, as a result.? And the gag order extended past O&A and to everybody employed by Infinity.? Don & Mike (from Washington D.C. and syndicated to NY and Philly at the time) have also spoken about it.? Its no secret, and its not a talking point.? In fact, that reason Opie & Anthony waited so long to come back was to outlast a contract stipultation allowing an early buy-out on the condition they didnt talk about Infinity or Howard Stern.? Its what actually took place.? For a guy who built a reputation on taking on rivals and even trashing people on the same station (Imus, Soupy Sales, etc.), it seems pretty hypocritical to avoid referencing them directly and instead whine to Mel Karamazin to shut them up, doesnt it?

And he said it himself: "Ill go to whatever company doesnt Opie & Anthony."

It's CBS (and Infinity) company policy to not allow talent to trash other "personalities" or "talent" on air (or in interviews).? I'm not sure if that policy predates Stern or not.? Nor am I sure if some "talent" is kept on a shorter leash than others. IF the policy was in place, Stern MAY have been asking Mel to reign them in simply because Stern couldn't, without violating company policy, respond in kind.? Again, I know the policy, but am speculating about both parties reactions.

The contract buyout clause you're talking about is standard language, pretty much, in any buyout.

As for the "I'll go to whoever donesn't take O & A", a few things:?

First, He said the same thing about Bubba (who now works for him).?

Secondly, it makes good business sense. Why duplicate the same sort of show on the same platform?? It's not like radio, where every station is in competition on a given platform. They're all bundled by the same company.? Competition for the same sort of audience, on the same platfrom, would be assinine. You're paying almost double the production to fracture your audience. And O& A were looking for deals first....

Second, part of Howard's deal was "creative control" over his "station".? From a business perspective, O & A really would have "packaged" better, on the platform, with Howards material.? And I doubt Howard wanted them there.

Third, I KNOW for a fact that Howard negotiated with both platforms: XM and Sirrius.? The XM "deal" is almost infamous.? They had an entire package laid out, Howard was ready to sign, and they needed to get the deal approved from their BOD...who dragged their feet.? In the meantime, Sirrius put a comparable package on the table, Howard couldn't get a word out of the XM managment, so went with Sirrius.? There are people at XM who, more or less, give the same story.

But the crucial difference between you and I is that while you are admittedly not familiar with the O&A show, Im very familiar with both.? So I dont really need convincing either way, - Im very knowledgeable of both.

I've heard both, know of both, and would pick Stern every day of the week and twice on Sunday.? Not, necessarily, because I think his show is better (I think the quality of both shows, when on broadcast, were pretty close..... since the move to satellite, I think O & A's show is better than Stern's....but am willing to bet that changes when Stern isn't handcuffed anymore), but because, from a personal preference standpoint, I like Stern more.

[Booker Floyd]

IF the policy was in place, Stern MAY have been asking Mel to reign them in simply because Stern couldn't, without violating company policy, respond in kind.? Again, I know the policy, but am speculating about both parties reactions.

Stern has freely trashed Infinitys other star, Don Imus, for years and years.  So hes obviously not bound by any such policy.  While O&A were having their show dumped out on almost everytime Sterns name was used, Howard was suggesting that Imus' ranch operation might be a fraud.  And hes continued attacking him since (or at least he was when I stopped listening about a year and-a-half ago).  The fact is, nobody at Infinity (especially at the time, when Mel Karmazin was still in place) was stopping Stern from anything. 

First, He said the same thing about Bubba (who now works for him).

I still dont really understand that move.  Stern obsesses over his imitators and hires one of the worst of the bunch? 

I cant recall him singling out Bubba the way he did O&A, and I doubt he did considering he doesnt have the same history with Bubba as he does O&A.  Being an "imitator" from Florida, Bubba was never really on Stens radar, except for a brief period in which Bubba syndicated somewhere up north and held a press conference to bash Stern...but even then Stern didnt seem to care much.  His history with O&A runs a lot deeper.

Secondly, it makes good business sense. Why duplicate the same sort of show on the same platform?

But isnt that what hes doing with Bubba, and whatever shows hes likely to hire?

Competition for the same sort of audience, on the same platfrom, would be assinine. You're paying almost double the production to fracture your audience. And O& A were looking for deals first....

Not necessarily.  Ron & Fez (who also do a fantastic show) are pretty different from O&A, but share a similar audience and both are featured on the same XM channel.  And a simple solution to that problem is to 1) Put O&A in a different time slot.  Assuming theyd contest that, and they most likelywould...2.) Do what XM currently does with O&As show, which is run replays throughout the day.  So those who feel conflicted over which show to listen to can listen to Howards show on his channel in the morning and catch the replay of O&As show anytime after.  After all, its not about ratings - its about subscriptions, and both will draw their own audiences.
 
Ultimately, its not the fact that Stern refused to work for the same company as O&A, its the hypocrisy in blatantly saying that before sigining, and pretending to be humble afterward by saying that he would never do such a thing (especially considering the power plays he pulled at Infinity).  Its hypocritical to paint Imus as a jerk in Private Parts and have essentially the same attitude when the new company upstarts arrive (and they were obviously being groomed as Sterns heir apparents).
 

Third, I KNOW for a fact that Howard negotiated with both platforms: XM and Sirrius.  The XM "deal" is almost infamous.  They had an entire package laid out, Howard was ready to sign, and they needed to get the deal approved from their BOD...who dragged their feet.  In the meantime, Sirrius put a comparable package on the table, Howard couldn't get a word out of the XM managment, so went with Sirrius.  There are people at XM who, more or less, give the same story.

I know Howard says that, but dont you think the real reason is the fact that Sirius was willing to pay him half-a-billion dollars?  XM simply was never going to pay him anything close to that (I believe $30 million a year was their offer).  And then theres the Mel Karmazin factor, as well as the O&A factor. 

I've heard both, know of both, and would pick Stern every day of the week and twice on Sunday.? Not, necessarily, because I think his show is better (I think the quality of both shows, when on broadcast, were pretty close..... since the move to satellite, I think O & A's show is better than Stern's....but am willing to bet that changes when Stern isn't handcuffed anymore), but because, from a personal preference standpoint, I like Stern more.

Im glad to finally hear that somebody thinks they put on a good show.  As for your personal preference, I understand.  After listening to someone like him for so long (and watching his TV shows, reading his books, watching his movie, etc.), you definitely feel some kind of connection.  I just cant get into his show anymore, and hearing about his ideas for satelliite (Phone sex, Dial-A-Date, "Who Wants To Fuck A Pornstar" - which I thought hes been doing), Im not interested. 

By the way, do you have XM?

[pilferk]

Stern has freely trashed Infinitys other star, Don Imus, for years and years.? So hes obviously not bound by any such policy.? While O&A were having their show dumped out on almost everytime Sterns name was used, Howard was suggesting that Imus' ranch operation might be a fraud.? And hes continued attacking him since (or at least he was when I stopped listening about a year and-a-half ago).? The fact is, nobody at Infinity (especially at the time, when Mel Karmazin was still in place) was stopping Stern from anything.?

See my comments about who is kept on a shorter leash, etc.? It IS company policy,though.

I still dont really understand that move.? Stern obsesses over his imitators and hires one of the worst of the bunch??

I cant recall him singling out Bubba the way he did O&A, and I doubt he did considering he doesnt have the same history with Bubba as he does O&A.? Being an "imitator" from Florida, Bubba was never really on Stens radar, except for a brief period in which Bubba syndicated somewhere up north and held a press conference to bash Stern...but even then Stern didnt seem to care much.? His history with O&A runs a lot deeper.

He said the exact same thing about Bubba, when Bubba got "fired" and said he was gonna look for a Sat deal.? Verbatim.

But isnt that what hes doing with Bubba, and whatever shows hes likely to hire?

Nope, different time slot and Howard has complete creative control.

Not necessarily.? Ron & Fez (who also do a fantastic show) are pretty different from O&A, but share a similar audience and both are featured on the same XM channel.? And a simple solution to that problem is to 1) Put O&A in a different time slot.? Assuming theyd contest that, and they most likelywould...2.) Do what XM currently does with O&As show, which is run replays throughout the day.? So those who feel conflicted over which show to listen to can listen to Howards show on his channel in the morning and catch the replay of O&As show anytime after.? After all, its not about ratings - its about subscriptions, and both will draw their own audiences.

Again, Howard wouldn't have allowed them on "his" channel. O & A would not have allowed Howard to have complete creative control. I doubt they would have wanted to give up the "morning drive" slot, too.? So you're left with putting them on different channels.? So you pay twice the production costs for a very similar, if not homogonized, audience.? Not good business sense.? At least not for my money.? And lets face it, even when O & A were at their height in broadcast syndication, they didn't pull the sheer overall national numbers that Stern pulled (and still pulls) in....
 

I know Howard says that, but dont you think the real reason is the fact that Sirius was willing to pay him half-a-billion dollars?? XM simply was never going to pay him anything close to that (I believe $30 million a year was their offer).? And then theres the Mel Karmazin factor, as well as the O&A factor.?

The story doesn't just come from Howard.? And I've heard the reported XM amount was double the quote you're giving (60 - 65 million a year) which makes sense considering his current salary, with Infinity, is about 30.1 million a year (salary.com reports as do other sources).? And the Sirrius deal, reported at 100 million a year, is, according to Howard and others, a bit north of reality.? That 100 million is not just compensation (salary, incentives, stock, etc) but production and operating costs (the smoking gun, as well as other sites, report this).? So, the gaps in "bundles of cash" offered up aren't that far apart.?

Howard insists he had no idea that Mel was negotiating with Sirrius while doing his deal.? Mel says the same thing (that Howard didn't know he was also negotiating with Sirrius.? Mel, of course, knew about Howards negotiating and deal).? I've no reason to suspect they're being disingenious.? And, from an SEC standpoint, they really can't be, as that kind of disclosure could bring some heavy sanctions.

But the point is, the agreement was done in principle.? Again, not just according to Howard.? XM just dragged their feet.? Sirrius THEN contacted him and when he couldn't get a word from XM management, he figured the deal was dead.? So he began entertaining offers from Sirrius.? He may have SAID he wouldn't work at the same company, but, lets face it, Howard, like O & A, SAY lots of outrageous things.? AND he was in good faith negotiations with XM, who already had O&A.

Im glad to finally hear that somebody thinks they put on a good show.? As for your personal preference, I understand.? After listening to someone like him for so long (and watching his TV shows, reading his books, watching his movie, etc.), you definitely feel some kind of connection.? I just cant get into his show anymore, and hearing about his ideas for satelliite (Phone sex, Dial-A-Date, "Who Wants To Fuck A Pornstar" - which I thought hes been doing), Im not interested.?

By the way, do you have XM?

First, I've only been really listening to Howard since the mid to late 90's, when he "premiered" in our market.? There's only one rock station, really, here...and he became the morning guy.? In addition, while I've seen Private Parts, I've never read the book.? I've watched, total, MINUTES of the E show (too late for me...I've got 2 kids and am out the door by 6 AM).? My "thing" with Howard is just that I prefer his schtick, and I relate to him a bit more, than I do O & A (who are talented entertainers, no question).

Nope, no XM.? Friends have it, so I've heard a bunch of the "new" version of O & A on morning drives and/or replays.? I did a trial of it about 6 months ago via PC, just after doing the same for Sirrius, just to see what I thought of it.? Fundamentally....I couldn't see a difference between their products.?

My Sirrius package is wrapped and under the tree, as we speak.

[Dr. Blutarsky]

Why cant you like Opie and Anthony as well as Howard Stern?

I use to listen to John boy and billy and they were pretty funny it just seems like Booker that you are tryin to put down Stern to enhance O&A.

John Boy & Billy suck. They play from the same 50 song playlist theyve used for 15 years and have a totally unrealistic laugh track they play whenever one of them finishes a sentence. And Andy Griffith was not the greatest show ever.

[RichardNixon]

How do you all think Stern will fare on Sirus? Will this be the begining of the end? Or the start of a new chapter?

[mikegiuliana]

How do you all think Stern will fare on Sirus? Will this be the begining of the end? Or the start of a new chapter?

well he won't have 12 milliion fans like k rock but he will have  afew million to follow and curiousity alone...

I enjoyed his last show yesterday, I practicallly teared up when the crow was going nuts for him

[Evolution]

I've never head any O and A before. Thanks Booker. The Danza stuff is funny 

[Booker Floyd]

I've never head any O and A before. Thanks Booker. The Danza stuff is funny?

Glad to hear you liked it. 

[Evolution]

Was it Opie doing the impression? Just him going "a noice biig blooowjoob" had me in stitches 

The old lady hadn't a fuck what hit her!

[Booker Floyd]

Was it Opie doing the impression? Just him going "a noice biig blooowjoob" had me in stitches?

The old lady hadn't a fuck what hit her!

Nope, that was Anthony.  He does a lot of great impressions.  Jim Norton is the one with the raspy voice and Opies the other one.

[D]

From what Ive heard, howard stern redeemed himself.

I have heard that his show is absolutely hilarious and insane now.


So I think his show got stale due to the sanctions,censors and fines.


he is back and better than ever.

[RichardNixon]

I'll stick with Roth.

[Booker Floyd]

he is back and better than ever.

And this is based on second-hand accounts? 

The fact that you would make such a grandiose statement without hearing the broadcast really says all that I need to know (in fact, it probably says a lot about your appreciation for Bill O'Reilly as well).

[Sterlingdog]

I've only heard the two shows, obviously.  And I haven't noticed any huge changes.  George Takai is actually a pretty funny addition, but that's just for this week.  Its going to take time to really judge if there is any major difference to his show.  I've enjoyed the first two shows, but I was a big Stern fan anyway. 

[Kujo]

So I think his show got stale due to the sanctions,censors and fines.

His show got stale long before that, in my opinion. I used to listen to him when he first came on in NY, his show for most of the last 10 years has been a daily re-run as far as content goes.

There is a station down here in Florida, WZZR, that is all talk from 6am until 11pm. They had to face the same sanctions, censors, and for a few of the shows, some fines as well. However they were able to adjust and come up with new ideas and roll with the punches. The shows arent as crude as they used to be but they still manage to be entertaining and the only time you actually get the feeling that you've "heard this before" is if the show is an actual re-run.

Did Howard pave the way for these shows? Hell yes. Every person that does his type of talk show should drop to their knees and bow in the direction of Howards studio before they start their shift each day. However Howard has not been able to adjust with the times and has become a figurative dinosaur in talk radio. He has been living off of his reputation for quite some time now. Just my opinion.

[D]

he is back and better than ever.

And this is based on second-hand accounts??

The fact that you would make such a grandiose statement without hearing the broadcast really says all that I need to know (in fact, it probably says a lot about your appreciation for Bill O'Reilly as well).

watch it, u are getting awfully close to breaking the rules.

My brother and I have the same taste, he listens every morning and told me the highlights of the show and it sounded amazing. The whole guy who impersonates David Letterman.

Sounded like it was great from the way he described it.

Im only stating that u said the sanctions and fines from the FCC had no affect on his show and I simply stated it did and had some influence with makin the show grow stale.

Now the chains are off, From what ive heard, it kicks fuckin ass!

im gonna get a Sirius radio, *im poor so ill have to put one in layaway or something* but Im gonna get it so i can listen.

[sandman]

the david letterman piece was stomach hurting funny. totally hilarious.

the self promoting of himself and sirius was at an all time high the first two days, which was boring and annoying.

but i was and still am a fan of the show. i think it will be slightly better on sirius, but hopefully they continue to do the things that made me fan in the first place.

[Sterlingdog]

the david letterman piece was stomach hurting funny. totally hilarious.

the self promoting of himself and sirius was at an all time high the first two days, which was boring and annoying.

but i was and still am a fan of the show. i think it will be slightly better on sirius, but hopefully they continue to do the things that made me fan in the first place.

I was listening to the david letterman thing in my office and had to turn it off for fear someone would walk in. 

Today they were saying that starting next week they'll start getting back to some of the games and stuff that they've had to stop doing- like "Its Just Wrong."