First off, let me say that Howard Stern is better than 98% of the morning guys out there, but after listening to the History of Howard Stern, I've really come to appreciate his earlier work. The guy has morphed from a rebel into this sterile and grumpy old man. Nothing edgy about him anymore, I guess he leaves all of that to his cast of characters (Artie, Sal, Richard, etc).
However, maybe the tank just ran dry for the guy. The guy has been working about 20 hours per week (prior to Sirius) on air to make us laugh in addition to all the hours he spends outside of the studio trying to put together a good show. As a guy who's working to get into radio myself, I can appreciate all the hard work he did prior to him making it big. You may not realize it, but there's a TON of prepwork you have to do to put on a good show.
Still, I've become more of a Bubba fan than a Howard fan at this point.
I agree that Howard has lost a lot of his 'edge'. He has about 10 vacation weeks a year it seems. Plus, he sold us a bill of goods as far as the commercials. In his last few months on terrestrial radio, he talked about being virtually commercial free once he went to satellite. He started out witha short break every hour, now there's a ten minute commercial, followed by old bits replayed, followed by a song. The non-live content is basically the same as it was before.Also, when he first started, he said that he would occasionally take Fridays off, He worked a few Fridays in teh beginning and probably hasn't worked one in teh last 18 months.
I'm still entertained by the show when he does decide to work, so I continue to listen. Plus, I can't say I blame the guy for being powerful enough to make a deal like he did with Sirius, but that doesn't keep me from being annoyed when he's airing repeats all the time.
One thing that drives me absolutely nuts is teh way he rushes through the news because he wants to get off the air. Many times, Artie, Fred, and Robin are making great and funny comments on a news story, and Howard comes in with his "Ok, what else Robin?". It's hard enjoying lisening to something when the host is giving a clear impression that he's done trying to be entertaining and wants to get out of there. Next time you listen to the news (which is at teh end of his broadcast) pay attention to how many times he says, "Ok, what else Robin".
(Except for the previous poster's Bubba comment).Listening to some of the Master Tape Theaters reminds me why the news was always my favorite part of the show. Howard was almost always into it, not trying to rush out the door. He still has his moments, but you are right, the "What else Robin?" drives me nuts too. And even though it has been about 7 or 8 years now, I still miss Jackie quite a bit.
Pinworms, Goodstein's chair fiasco, Dayner, Sal crying, Bigfoot, Eric's Idol Show, and some other things that don't spring to mind.
Pinworms, Goodstein's chair fiasco, Dayner, Sal crying, Bigfoot, Eric's Idol Show, and some other things that don't spring to mind.
Retire already.
Retire already.
(Except for the previous poster's Bubba comment).Listening to some of the Master Tape Theaters reminds me why the news was always my favorite part of the show. Howard was almost always into it, not trying to rush out the door. He still has his moments, but you are right, the "What else Robin?" drives me nuts too. And even though it has been about 7 or 8 years now, I still miss Jackie quite a bit.
(Except for the previous poster's Bubba comment).Listening to some of the Master Tape Theaters reminds me why the news was always my favorite part of the show. Howard was almost always into it, not trying to rush out the door. He still has his moments, but you are right, the "What else Robin?" drives me nuts too. And even though it has been about 7 or 8 years now, I still miss Jackie quite a bit.
Its the Mars Attacks aliens
