"It's like Howard went from playing Madison Avenue to playing an upscale off-Broadway concert hall for a lot of money," said Tom Taylor, executive news editor at Radio-Info.com, which tracks the radio industry. "He made a Faustian bargain. He got everything he wanted in terms of money and not being bothered by the FCC, but he lost the bulk of his audience."
Stern's program today is much like it was. It has retained its ribald spirit and irreverent nature, and despite the enhanced autonomy, the language is only a bit more coarse and the sexual discussions slightly more explicit.
As before, the radio host and his carnival of misfit contributors riff for hours on the day's topics, which can vary from Stern's sexual appetites to sidekick Artie Lange's boorish and often out-of-control behavior. Stern's longtime radio companion Robin Quivers still delivers daily news reports, mostly about celebrities, while offbeat segments such as quizzing porn stars on current events or tickling strippers might also be featured.
Lately, his guests have been mostly fading stars, cable TV personalities and loyal friends. His summer guest list included Brad Garrett of the struggling Fox comedy " 'Til Death," Joan Rivers, Hulk Hogan, Piers Morgan ("America's Got Talent") and Ernest Borgnine. And only two stars of summer movies -- Seth Rogen of "Pineapple Express" and Verne Troyer of "The Love Guru" -- dropped by his New York City studios.
"He's not in the news anymore, and controversies that made the news definitely helped his visibility," said Michael Harrison, editor of the talk radio trade publication Talkers. "Sometimes people equate news buzz with success."
Tom Leykis, a popular syndicated talk-radio host based in Los Angeles, maintained that Stern's historical influence outweighs his heavy drop on the buzz meter.
"I don't think you can count out Howard Stern," said Leykis, who is heard locally on KLSX-FM (97.1). "He took radio, which was akin to the used-car business, and made it a vital part of the entertainment business. Even if he does have a smaller audience in terms of his cumulative audience, that won't last forever. Terrestrial radio is hemorrhaging audience as it tries to find its place in the Digital Age, while satellite is up tremendously. Stern has defied the experts every time."
Lebanon is rocked again by exploding devices as Israel declares a ‘new
phase’ of war - The Associated Press
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1. Lebanon is rocked again by exploding devices as Israel declares a
‘new phase’ of war The Associated Press
2. Live updates: Walkie-talkies ...
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