usually "Jumped the shark" means that a show has gone into noticeable decline. I don't think Stern has done that....but he has changed the show..."jumped" into a different era, if you will. Not all the jumps are positive, but some are.

The first "jump" was when he got divorced. There was something about him being married and yet engaging in all of these weird activities...usually with strippers...which was lost when he got divorced. It was easier to identify with him then.

Now he is just another celebrity with a model as a girlfriend...and strippers.

The second "jump" was positive...it was the addition of Artie Lang, Sal, etc, and the departure of Jackie and John. Artie and the new guys are VERY funny indeed.

Yet another "jump" was with the FCC. At first Stern would go on an on and on about how bad the FCC was. That was boring because you know what? That is the FCCs job. I mean...did he really think playing "Lord of the Anal Rings" (or any other of his stunts) was not going to offend SOMEBODY??? Whenever Stern feels it is necessary to lecture on politics the show sucks.

However, lately it has been interesting to see how much Stern can get away with and yet not incur an FCC fine. It's kinda funny in it's own right.

I do however think that O&A, Mancow, etc and all the other imitators owe him big. I use to listen to O&A when they were still on the radio. Nothing but Stern rip-offs.

I totally agree about Artie, he's a riot, with Sal and Richard's latest stuff, the show is truly funny....

I listened to O&A when they were on WNEW in NYC a few years ago and for the first few months I found them funny but their pure sexual form of humor just wore off on me after a while...

I've listed to Stern since '89 when I moved to NYC and have always wanted to meet him, met Jackie, got a man-hug recently from Artie at the Allman's show, saw John once, but never been up close with Stern...

Rick, you've got to tell more about your time in the studio, how did you make that happen?

Adam

Adam,

Howard was inviting female callers to his studio "Lingirie Christmas" party. Robin protested by asking guys to call as well. Howard would only allow one guy. Three guys called and were given the boot. I pull into the driveway after my drive home from work and ran into the house to call. Robin liked my voice and Howard said I was a go.

I went to the NBC Rockerfeller Center studio the next day, a Friday afternoon. First impressions: Since I had never seen either one I was surprised to see that Robin was not .....well.......not white. I was also surprised at how tall and skinny Howard was. This was after he had lost quite a bit of weight. He was also very friendly.

There were a few babes there that were down to their undergarments and frolicking around...but no hardcore goodness. In fact Howard was getting a bit irritated by one chick continually sitting on his lap and asking to perform on/for him.

Overall it was OK. I left with one of the babes and partied in NY for the rest of the night. Had to make the most of the situation.

Oh , the year, 1981.

I was a daily listener for about 5 yrs then the local radio station took him off the air. So I bought a satilite radio and started listening to other shows, like the Radio Chick. I like the humbleness the other shows have. I never realized how much he strokes his own ego until I listened to others.

I don't miss him a lick....................but I will listen to him on Sirius.

I think this element will be lost when he goes to Sirius sat. radio. Let's face it - his conflict with the FCC is the reason why a lot of listeners tune into Howard for - to see how far he can push it. Once you remove that conflict, it will become less interesting, IMHO.

Sirius has a lot riding on Howard's move to their airwaves. I don't see how Howard alone is going to keep their satellites in the sky...

Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.

You Sir, have hit the nail on the head. The underlying stress of him being married and not being able to indulge was the perfect set up for all kinds of situations. The tension was there. Now it is not. HUGE difference.

I miss Hank the Angry Dwarf and Crackhead Bob.

Howard isnt as funny anymore, but he still has his good days.

Artie cracks me up.

I was about to say the same thing. I often find myself trying to convince other people that Howard Stern used to be funny. Actually, he used to be VERY funny. But that was back during the Reagan administration. At NBC, he was often hilarious and occassionally offensive. Now he is always offensive and rarely funny. I really miss the funny Howard Stern.

Nope, he's not funny on the east coast either. IMO.
-Chris

That is not why I tune in. I like the realness of the crew. I guess he strokes his own ego. He is the self proclaimed king of all media. Having read his book Mrs. America I understand where he is coming from and relate to him a lot better than before. He has a lot of problems he is obsesive compulsive and fights with it every day. Something he doesn't openly discuss on air.

His bout with the FCC is annoying to me and pisses me off. I am really looking foward to hearing his show without restraints. I am sure Cris Rock interviews will be much funnier. So will other guests who cannot hardly talk and have to be creative to get a point acrross without a fine.

He also has a lot of other programs that will be on his stations. He has two stations on Sirius. I am sure some shows will suck and others will be great.

I agree Arty was the best thing that has happened to that show. His wit and humor kill me. The next 3 months cannot go by fast enough.

The only part I find funny anymore is when they all are wisecracking on the people in the news at the end of the show. Robin reads the news and they all just kinda relax and be smarta$$es. Something they do best.

P

not really . . .not a fan now, never have been. I just don't get him.

You either get him or you don't. Seems like all the debates on this board come down to that kind of finality-- we all keep trying to convince each other that the other is wrong. Only Beetlejuice and Jeff the Drunk know the truth. Can't wait...

The only time I listen is when I am in someones else car and they have him on - never tune him in. I really have no opinion + or -. He sure is funny looking though...

I'm a fan. I will most likely subscribe to Sirius when he is off of terrestrial radio

I listen to Howard everyday during my commute. I think he is hilarious.

David

That is where I differ. I did get him. I would listen everyday, even at home. The station that use to carry him dropped him for a few months and then another one picked him up. I just never went back. Too little laughs for the investment of time. Sure, there were funny segments, but I've found other shows that spend more time making you laugh and less time acting paranoid and reminding listeners how you invented everything. Tell em, Fred!

89911,
Good point. I used to love Robin Williams' stand up act and now I feel it's a bit forced. We're all getting older I guess, and our humor changes. When Eddie Murphy's "Raw" came out, I thought it was the best thing ever. I fell upon it accidentally on HBO the other night and found it about 1/10th as funny as I did when I first saw it.

Saw an old repeat recently w/ Hank and Beetle juice. Damn, that was good stuff. I'll never forget I was at work and a buddy called me, told me Hank just died. We all stopped and turned on the radio. Sad day.

One of the funniest bits *ever* was actually pretty recent.

It was when Sal posing as "Captain Sack" gave Richard a "Chocolate Banded Mask".

They had some porn star as a guest...she kept screaming "Make them stop!!! Make them stop!!!"

:D