Howard Stern

Howard Allan Stern (born January 12, 1954) is an American radio host and television personality, most recognised as the host of The Howard Stern Show, a talk radio show that until December 16, 2005, was broadcast on terrestrial radio across the United States and Canada. Since January 9, 2006 the show has been broadcast on Howard 100, an uncensored channel on SIRIUS XM Radio, a subscription-based satellite radio service. Stern has described himself as "The King of All Media" following his success not only in radio but in television, film and print throughout his career.

As well as hosting his radio show, Stern has released two books, Private Parts (1993) and Miss America (1995), both of which received huge media attention and sales. Private Parts would later be adapted into a 1997 film in which Stern and his radio show colleagues starred in as themselves. Stern's television endeavors include The Howard Stern Show on WWOR-TV (1990-93), Howard Stern on E! (1994-2005), The Howard Stern Radio Show on CBS (1998-2001), "Howard TV" for American digital cable subscribers, and Son of the Beach, a parody of Baywatch which featured Stern as executive producer, broadcast on FX Networks.

Stern has been described by the media as a "shock jock" for his controversial style of his radio and television shows. Stern himself has said that it was never his intention to "shock" people, but to offer his honest opinions on issues, ranging from world affairs to the staff he works with. Though controversial, Stern is the highest-paid radio personality in the United States,title=NewsMax Top 25 Radio Hosts as well as the most fined in radio history.

In 2006, Stern was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine"and was ranked as the world's 7th most powerful celebrity by Forbes

. Stern's first marriage to Alison Berns ended in divorce in 2001. He married Beth Ostrosky on October 3, 2008.

Personal life

Childhood

Stern was born into a Jewish American family in the Queens neighborhood of Jackson Heights, New York, though his family soon moved to the Long Island town of Roosevelt. His father, Ben Stern, owned a Manhattan recording studio. Stern's father encouraged his son's interest in radio from an early age. His mother, Rae, was a homemaker for most of Howard's childhood. title=Ancestry of Howard Stern Stern has one sibling, a sister named Ellen, who is four years his senior.first=Howard Stern describes his sister as being his "complete opposite;" she is rarely mentioned on the show, though he maintains that they have a good relationship as their personalities perfectly complement each other.

Although both his parents are Jewish, Stern's on-air banter is that he is only "half Jewish", with the other half being Italian, because "it's very hard to be Jewish in this country. My half Jewish side has been beaten with chains." This assertion is used to comedic effect in a scene in his biopic where he is shown showering with his African-American peers at Roosevelt Junior High School. He has long asserted that he was one of the few white students in a predominantly African-American school. When Stern's family moved in 1969 to Rockville Centre, he transferred to South Side High School, from which he graduated in 1972. Stern attended Boston University, graduating in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in communications, carrying a 3.8 Grade Point Average. During his time at Boston University, Stern also worked (before being fired) as a volunteer at the campus radio station WTBU. Stern now funds a scholarship at Boston University.

Adult life

Stern grew to be tall, standing in=5.

During his college years, Stern became a student of Transcendental Meditation which he practices to this day. He credits the practice with aiding him in quitting smoking and achieving his goals in radio. In the 1980s Stern conducted an in-person interview with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation. Stern's mother also took the Transcendental Meditation course and Stern claims it cured her of depression.

On June 4, 1978, Stern married college sweetheart Alison Berns at Temple Ohabei Shalom in Brookline, Massachusetts. They have three daughters: Emily Beth (b. 1983), Deborah Jennifer (b. 1986) and Ashley Jade (b. 1993). last=Mercer A hallmark of Stern's humor was his claiming to be tempted by the strippers, porn stars and lesbians appearing on his show, but always insisted that he had to be faithful to his wife. In 1994, Stern ran for Governor of New York as a Libertarian. The campaign was generally seen as a publicity stunt and Stern dropped out before the election after refusing to disclose his finances, a requirement by the State of New York. In October 1999, Stern announced that he and wife Alison decided to separate. last=The Associated Press They amicably divorced in 2001, ending in a settlement.

Stern began a period of single living on New York City's Upper West Side, dating dozens of women including Angie Everhart and Robin Givens. Despite reportedly spending time with Carmen Electra "five times", the two have denied there was anything more intimate than an outdoor shower in bathing suits.

Stern has been the target of stalkers and death threats. On January 15, 1998, Lance Carvin was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for stalking and threatening to kill Stern and his family.
In 2000, Stern began dating model Beth Ostrosky, who is 18 years his junior. Ostrosky co-hosted Casino Cinema on Spike TV from 2004 to 2007. She had also frequently appeared in the American edition of men's magazine FHM until it ceased publication in 2007.The pair have lived together in Manhattan with their Bulldog named Bianca Romijn-Stamos-O'Connell. Stern also owns a weekend house in the Hamptons on Long Island. After seven years, on February 14, 2007, Stern announced that he and Ostrosky became engaged. They were married on October 3, 2008 at Le Cirque restaurant in New York City.title=Howard Stern gets married

Hobbies and interests

Stern has said that he plays chess every day, frequenting the Internet Chess Club. He has taken online lessons from Dan Heisman, a chess master from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a huge fan of comic books and science fiction, stating several times in 2008 that the only movies or television he watches are about superheroes, such as Heroes, Smallville, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and others. His favorite superhero is Superman, followed by Spider-Man, Batman and Daredevil, though he was disappointed by the latter's film adaptation; his two favorite movies of the genre are Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2. Stern has stated numerous times that his favorite television series is The Munsters, he also greatly enjoys and admires the comedy of The Three Stooges.

Radio career

1977–2005: Terrestrial radio

After graduating from Boston University, Stern worked briefly as a DJ at WNTN in Newton, Massachusetts. Stern then worked as a disc jockey and program director for WRNW in Briarcliff Manor in Westchester County, New York, playing rock music. In 1978, Stern landed his first morning show job in Hartford, Connecticut at WCCC-FM and WCCC-AM, whose progressive rock format promoted Howard's development as a "free form" personality. It was at the Hartford radio station that Howard met his future show writer and producer, Fred Norris, who was working as an overnight deejay at the time.
Stern moved to FM radio station WWWW (usually referred to as "W4") in Detroit, Michigan, further developing his show until the station adopted a country music format, and then went to WWDC-FM "DC 101," in Washington, D.C. for a year, making it the #1 station in town. After Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th St. Bridge, Stern pretended to call the airline to see if the bridge would be a regular stop. Outrage over the incident would eventually lead to Stern being fired. In 1982, he returned to New York City to work at NBC's flagship AM radio station, WNBC Radio. Also working at NBC at that time was David Letterman, who became a fan of Stern's radio show. Stern's guest appearance on Late Night with David Letterman on June 19, 1984, launched Stern into the national spotlight and gave his radio show unprecedented exposure. Stern would appear on Letterman's show many times thereafter.

Stern and his crew were fired from NBC in 1985, ostensibly in response to a particularly outrageous sketch — "Bestiality Dial-A-Date" — although relations between station management and Stern had been strained from the beginning (as well documented in his book Private Parts). He quickly returned to FM radio by joining local rival station WXRK, premiering November 18, 1985, moving permanently to the morning drive time slot in February 1986. By year's end, his show was simulcast on WYSP in Philadelphia. Before long it was also heard in Washington, D.C., and was then syndicated nationwide by Infinity Broadcasting. The program made great sport out of feuding with other cities' top-rated deejays, and soon Stern's broadcast was number one in several major markets, including Philadelphia and Los Angeles. His Arbitron ratings were strongest in the country's number one radio market, New York City, where his morning ratings more than tripled his station's average numbers the rest of the day. He remained at WXRK until his move to satellite radio in 2006.

Stern's outspoken style has brought criticism. For example, a few days after the murder of singer Selena, Stern mocked the murder, poked fun at her mourners, and criticized her music. Stern said, "This music does absolutely nothing for me. Alvin and the Chipmunks have more soul... Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth." Stern's comments outraged and infuriated the Hispanic community across Texas.Asin, Stephanie and Dyer, R.A. "Selena's public outraged: Shock jock Howard Stern's comments hit raw nerve." Houston Chronicle, April 6, 1995. Retrieved on February 1, 2008.

On October 26, 2004, then chairman of the FCC Michael Powell was being interviewed on KGO-AM radio in San Francisco when Stern called in and questioned Powell's credentials, and accused Powell and the FCC of crusading against Stern's show by levying huge fines but not allowing them their day in court to determine if the show is obscene.

2006–present: Satellite radio

On October 6, 2004, Stern announced on his show that he had signed a five year contract with Sirius, a satellite radio service. Sirius provided a budget of $500 million USD to pay Howard, his staff and general production costs. His personal salary has not been revealed. Other media sources have claimed that Stern netted a $225 million one-time stock bonus for meeting subscriber quotas, with the latter being true in January 2006.

Stern stated that he was growing increasingly unhappy doing his show on terrestrial radio. The combined stresses of heavy censorship and editing by management as well as lengthy commercial breaks weighed into his decision to start anew on Sirius. Stern admitted to feeling "dead inside, creatively" in December, 2005 while still on terrestrial radio.

The Sirius deal, which took effect on January 1, 2006, enabled Stern to broadcast his show without the content restrictions imposed by the FCC. Moreover, the deal also enabled Stern to program an additional Sirius channel.

On February 28, 2006, CBS Radio announced it had filed a lawsuit against Stern, his agent Don Buchwald, and Sirius Satellite Radio, saying Stern used CBS's airwaves to unfairly promote the satellite service and enrich himself. url=www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/25/entertainment/main1654391.shtml?source=RSS&attr=Business_1654391 The lawsuit also claims that Stern "repeatedly and willfully" breached his contract with CBS, "misappropriated millions of dollars worth of ... airtime" for his own benefit, and "fraudulently concealed" his performance-related interests in Sirius stock. The suit, filed in New York State Court, sought compensatory and punitive damages. However, Stern anticipated the suit, and earlier that day, prior to CBS's announcement, held a press conference. In it, he discussed how CBS added to the media attention, booking him for appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman, and its news magazine show, 60 Minutes. "I made them millions of dollars", he said. "If I was hurting them, why did they keep me on the air for 14 months? "How can you have it both ways?"

Leslie Moonves, the President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation, appeared on one of Stern's final shows to compliment him on his move to Sirius and thank him for the record advertising revenue the network sold. Moonves told Stern that he bought Sirius stock. Stern reminded him that CBS always had the option to "push the button" on his program, taking him off the air, if they did not agree with what he was presenting to the public.

On May 11, 2006, CBS said it was near settling the lawsuit with Stern. "We have an agreement, but there are details that have to be worked out," said CBS lawyer Irvin Nathan. Some details of the agreement were officially announced May 26.

As a result of the CBS lawsuit settlement, Stern announced on June 7, 2006 that Sirius gained exclusive rights to his entire back catalog of radio shows from his days at CBS (about 23,000 hours). The shows cost Sirius approximately $2 million, which equates to approximately $87 per hour of tape. Sirius has the rights to the tapes until the end of Stern's current contract with Sirius, and then all ownership rights will return to Stern.

Career in other media

Television career

In May 1987, Fox was looking for a late night talk show host to replace The Late Show then hosted by Joan Rivers. Stern was given the opportunity to record 5 pilot episodes of a late night show named The Howard Stern Show. According to Stern, he and Fox did not see eye to eye with censorship and content of the show.

Three years later in July 1990, Stern aired an hour long comedy show on WWOR-TV also called The Howard Stern Show, which became known as The Howard Stern Summer Show and the "Channel Nine Show". The show lasted a total of 69 episodes before ending in 1993 when Stern felt its production began to interfere with the growth of his radio show.

In 1994, cameras were installed in the radio show studio to produce a half hour show named Howard Stern on E!, which ran until the radio show's final year on terrestrial airwaves in 2005.

In 1998, Stern tried to compete with Saturday Night Live by creating The Howard Stern Radio Show, a television show broadcast on Saturday nights on CBS. This was soon to be unsuccessful, with Stern's show being beaten by SNL in the ratings. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote in a 1998 review of the show that "contrary to his most famous boast, Stern is really only the King of One Medium." The nationally syndicated show ran for a total of 84 episodes from June 17, 1998 to May 19, 2001. Stern quit further episodes so he could produce a syndicated show called Kane, yet the show was never produced.

In 2002, Stern's production company Howard Stern Productions acquired the rights to the the 1979 film ''Rock 'n' Roll High School and the 1982 film Porky's, neither of which have been re-made. Stern was also a producer of the TV series Son of the Beach, which ran for three seasons.

Stern informed listeners in early 2004 that he was in talks with ABC to produce an interview special, which never materialized. Stern had also intended to produce two cartoons, Doomsday and Howard Stern: The High School Years, but neither of these ever made it to the airwaves. On April 28, 2009 Stern explained on his show that he had refused to agree to flash animation over traditionally drawn cartoons.

Print career

On October 15, 1993 Stern released his first autobiography, Private Partsfirst=Howard The book quickly became number one on the New York Times Best Seller list and after just five days, the fastest selling book in publishers' Simon & Schuster history.

Stern released his second book, Miss America, on November 7, 1995 The book too, became number one across the country within weeks of its release.

Stern has written forewards for Steal This Dream, a biography of Abbie Hoffman, an occasional guest on his show, ''Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling's Disgustingly Dirty Joke Book and Too Fat to Fish by show comedian Artie Lange.

Film career

In 1997, Stern developed and starred in Private Parts, a biographical film chronicling his rise to success, based on his 1993 book.
The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, including Siskel and Ebert. Some critics however, claimed the film glossed over his use of sexual and racial humor.

For his performance, Stern won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for "Favorite Male Newcomer". The awards are given based on write-in votes from fans, and Stern won by a wide margin. Stern was nominated for a Golden Satellite Award for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy)". Stern was also nominated for a Razzie Award for "Worst New Star".

Mock political career

In 1994, Stern embarked on a political campaign for Governor of New York, formally announcing his candidacy under the Libertarian Party ticket. His platform included restoring the [[death penalty]], limiting road construction work to nighttime hours, and abolishing tolls. However, he subsequently withdrew his candidacy because he did not wish to comply with the financial disclosure requirements for candidates.

In popular culture

Stern's prevalent media presence has led to his being parodied or referenced in various outlets;

His radio show is spoofed briefly in British satire Brasseye as The Adolf Snarn Show during the "Sex" episode.
In the Family Guy episode "Mr. Griffin Goes to Washington", a flashback depicts Peter Griffin repeatedly yelling "Bababooey!" at the Clarence Thomas hearings, a reference to Stern fans' practice of shouting that word (itself a reference to Stern's producer, Gary Dell'Abate) in order to disrupt live call-in TV and radio shows, or television reporters' live stand-ups.
He has been twice depicted in the MTV claymation comedy Celebrity Deathmatch, first as the victorious opponent of Kathie Lee Gifford, and again as a guest referee in a match between Carmen Electra and Jenny McCarthy.
In the South Park episode "Fat Camp", Kenny McCormick has oral sex with Stern in exchange for money.
In the 1990s show Animaniacs episode Morning Malaise, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot enter the studio of "Howie Tern," a clear parody of Howard Stern.

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