OT: Stern article

[NealIsGod]

Thought Deano would like this. And any other Howard fans.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-12-08-sirius-stern_x.htm

[fred_journeyman]

Good luck to Howard.

You know, love him or hate him, but it's kind of sad the way his current station is treating him. I don't have all the facts, but here's a guy who has been at the forefront of indendent "shock" talk radio and has been a boon to the industry. In spite of that, his current station comes in and says, you need to be out by such and such date, without so much as a "Thanks for putting us on the map" or anything.

I personally wish Howard would tone down the sex talk (just because it gets boring) all the time because when he discusses the issues, he offers a degree of intelligence that is not often seen.

- Fred

[The_Noble_Cause]

I personally wish Howard would tone down the sex talk (just because it gets boring) all the time because when he discusses the issues, he offers a degree of intelligence that is not often seen.

- Fred

I disagree. Howard should stick to what he does best: Frat boy humor. He's also a good interviewer, but that's about it. Anytime he attempts to discuss world event or politics, he sounds like an ignorant fool.

[fred_journeyman]

I disagree. Howard should stick to what he does best: Frat boy humor. He's also a good interviewer, but that's about it. Anytime he attempts to discuss world event or politics, he sounds like an ignorant fool.

The frat boy humor gets tiring for me PDQ. How many times a woman needs to submit herself to sticking her nose in some guy's rear as he flatulates just so that she might possibly get a breast job is immediately ridiculous and I'm not sure who to feel sorry for more - the guy who will be remembered as "The Farter" or the gal who sticks her nose in it...or me for watching it.

As far as the world events or politics, that is not always the case. His discussions/interviews with eyewitnesses to the 9/11 crash in PA were pretty interesting to say the least.

And by the way, Howard isn't the only one who may tend to sound like a fool with reference to discussing world events. The list of names who come across as absolute morons is endless...and many of these are the rank and file within the mainstream (supposedly unbiased) media.

- Fred

[Marabelle]

I thought Howard was interesting for about one minute. And then he began to bore me with his attempts to shock. Frat boy humor from a cheesy old guy is no longer funny to me. He tries too hard, is too predictable and it's like being shocking just to shock or be obnoxious.
There's nothing new about it.

[Jeremey]

Is Don & Mike still on the air out of WJFK (Washington/Baltimore)? I thought those guys were great (mainly because of Mike's dead on impressions), but stopped being able to pick them up out of northern Va...The last I heard was shortly after Don's wife was killed and there were a few very very rough days on the air with some incredibly insensitive people out there....Hadn't had the chance to listen since then but don't know if they're still on the air.

[NealIsGod]

Is Don & Mike still on the air out of WJFK (Washington/Baltimore)? I thought those guys were great (mainly because of Mike's dead on impressions), but stopped being able to pick them up out of northern Va...The last I heard was shortly after Don's wife was killed and there were a few very very rough days on the air with some incredibly insensitive people out there....Hadn't had the chance to listen since then but don't know if they're still on the air.

Yeah, they're still on.

http://www.donandmikewebsite.com/index.html

[Rockindeano]

I thought Howard was interesting for about one minute. And then he began to bore me with his attempts to shock. Frat boy humor from a cheesy old guy is no longer funny to me. He tries too hard, is too predictable and it's like being shocking just to shock or be obnoxious.
There's nothing new about it.

Well, it's your loss. There is a reason Howard is the most successful entertainer..yes, He makes more money than anyone...

"Too predictable?" Oh ok....

[Angiekay]

I've always loved Howard. When he first hit the air, he was GREAT!! He was funny and over the top and something the airwaves had never heard before. It's been sad over the last five years or so listening and watching his show(on E!) go to almost all totally sex orientated. He's so smart and *creative*, so why lower himself to parading naked women around every show!? I wish he would go back to what made him huge in the first place. Taking on things and issues no one else would tackle. Sex is everywhere. Be original Howard.

[Rockindeano]

You're right Angie. Howard is as boring as two Minnesotans making love in the missionary position with a sausage dog stickin out of their collective pieholes, and a 55 oz beer on the end table they stole from the Salvation Army.

Look Twit, there is a reason he is the Highest paid entertainer in American history..It isn't because he is boring....

[Angiekay]

You're right Angie. Howard is as boring as two Minnesotans making love in the missionary position with a sausage dog stickin out of their collective pieholes, and a 55 oz beer on the end table they stole from the Salvation Army.

Look Twit, there is a reason he is the Highest paid entertainer in American history..It isn't because he is boring....

Huh...that must be the reason he was RUN OUT OF the Minneapolis market by a local radio show that's been number one for over a decade.

I didn't say he was boring, I said he was STALE...big difference.

[The_Noble_Cause]

It's been sad over the last five years or so listening and watching his show(on E!) go to almost all totally sex orientated.

I don't think the E! show is a fair representation of the radio show as a whole. Howard's on the air for almost 4 hours a day, I assure you he does do more than nude women bits. Those segments are just the ones most suited for a visual medium (for obvious reasons).

I know many people who say Stern is boring and a one-trick pony..but you knows what? Those people predicate their opinion on the E! show. None of the Stern haters I know actually listen to the radio show. I've been listening to him forever, and have heard some pretty brilliant radio from him through the years.

[NealIsGod]

I don't listen to him anymore b/c it is a four or five hour show with three hours of commercials. Will his Sirius show have commercials?

[Rockindeano]

You're right Angie. Howard is as boring as two Minnesotans making love in the missionary position with a sausage dog stickin out of their collective pieholes, and a 55 oz beer on the end table they stole from the Salvation Army.

Look Twit, there is a reason he is the Highest paid entertainer in American history..It isn't because he is boring....

Huh...that must be the reason he was RUN OUT OF the Minneapolis market by a local radio show that's been number one for over a decade.

I didn't say he was boring, I said he was STALE...big difference.

--Why do you think the station was number #1? --


Again, Angie is wrong... As always.

He was run out by Clear Channel, who was pissed because Stern called out Bush on all of the stupid shit he has done, and continues to do. Why don't you do your homework Angie, and present a worthwhile argument. CC is the Devil..They were under contract with Stern and simply cancelled it, owing him millions..there is a court date reserved for this...

CC is a bunch of GOP puppets...It's obvious they are front men for the Bushies, and I am so glad they cut Howard. If you would bother to check ratings, and I have, EVERY station that dumped Stern has since dropped like a bowling ball since his departure. Nice try.

Doesn't it embarrass you I know more about radio than you, someone who works in the industry?

Now before you respond, why don't you actually look up some figures and cite your responses..

And that stupid puke shit purple type needs to go.

[Rockindeano]

I don't listen to him anymore b/c it is a four or five hour show with three hours of commercials. Will his Sirius show have commercials?

NIG, dude is a cash cow. You have to fit in commercials somewhere..

[Jeremey]

He was run out by Clear Channel, who was pissed because Stern called out Bush on all of the stupid shit he has done, and continues to do. Why don't you do your homework Angie, and present a worthwhile argument. CC is the Devil..They were under contract with Stern and simply cancelled it, owing him millions..there is a court date reserved for this...

CC is a bunch of GOP puppets...It's obvious they are front men for the Bushies, and I am so glad they cut Howard. If you would bother to check ratings, and I have, EVERY station that dumped Stern has since dropped like a bowling ball since his departure. Nice try.

Doesn't it embarrass you I know more about radio than you, someone who works in the industry?

Now before you respond, why don't you actually look up some figures and cite your responses..

And that stupid puke shit purple type needs to go.

Clear Channel was fined over $500,000 for Stern's indecent broadcasts...Infinity kept broadcasting Stern until he decided to jump ship to get away from the FCC and go to Sirius. Seemed to me that FCC was breathing down CC's neck with the huge fines not so much because of anything Stern said critical of George Bush (Good God, could the FCC actually chase down every radio host that was critical of GB and find something to fine them with too?), but because of Michael Powell's puritanical efforts to make a name for himself within the administration, and Howard is the 9,000 lb target out there for "Shock" radio.

Clear Channel was a small part of the Stern network. Viacom's Infinity Broadcasting was Stern's bread and butter, and it was Stern who decided not to continue on broadcast radio because of the free speech issues, which I completely agree with.

[The_Noble_Cause]

NIG, dude is a cash cow. You have to fit in commercials somewhere..

Errr...why? I thought one of the benefits of going to satellite was the lack of commericals because it is paid for by subscribers. I believe cable started with the same intention and then they started introducing commercials anyways.

[Rockindeano]

Jeremy,

The way Stern says it, The individual station pays the fines...However, who cares? The money he brings in is tenfold to what that cocksucker Colin Powell Jr fined him...

CC sucks....plain and simple.

[jrnyman28]

I gotta tell ya, I listened to Stern for a while. I guess I just don't get it. He IS boring to me! It may not ALL be sex comedy, but it IS all pretty immature. He is a loud-mouth blow-hard who thinks he is king-shit. Maybe he has moments of brilliance, but I cannot wait through all the crap to hear them. Howard IS, however, very good at what he does. And he is pretty smart about the whole thing.

And, in all fairness, I don't care for morning shows much anyway...I want to hear music. If I were to sign up for Sirius it would have NOTHING to do with Howard. In fact, he may be the very reason I decide to go with XM...

[Angiekay]

--Why do you think the station was number #1? --


Again, Angie is wrong... As always.

He was run out by Clear Channel, who was pissed because Stern called out Bush on all of the stupid shit he has done, and continues to do. Why don't you do your homework Angie, and present a worthwhile argument. CC is the Devil..They were under contract with Stern and simply cancelled it, owing him millions..there is a court date reserved for this...

CC is a bunch of GOP puppets...It's obvious they are front men for the Bushies, and I am so glad they cut Howard. If you would bother to check ratings, and I have, EVERY station that dumped Stern has since dropped like a bowling ball since his departure. Nice try.

Doesn't it embarrass you I know more about radio than you, someone who works in the industry?

Now before you respond, why don't you actually look up some figures and cite your responses..

And that stupid puke shit purple type needs to go.

CC had nothing to do with Stern leaving Minneapolis. In fact Clear Channel wasn't even in that market yet back then(who need to check their facts?). Stern debuted in 1997, Clear Channel came to town in 1999. Tom Benard and KQRS have had the number one show in that market for years. He couldn't compete...period. It just embarasses me that you THINK you know more or try to portray that. Falls flat most of the time. God bless ya for trying, though. Glad you like the purple...I think I'll keep it for you

[Rockindeano]

Ok Angie. Like I said, you can say things, but somehow just can't prove them.

Go ahead and think you're smart. You make me laugh...

[Angiekay]

Ok Angie. Like I said, you can say things, but somehow just can't prove them.

Go ahead and think you're smart. You make me laugh...

Just like you insult people as comebacks so you don't have to actually argue a point that you know nothing about. Every thread turns into the Deano clown show.

Tell me Dean, do you really dislike me that much or are you really so closed minded that you totally can't accept another person's opinion? That's all my first post was, my opinion. I didn't respond to YOU, I didn't attack YOU, I gave my opinion on Howard(which you blew right past the fact that I LIKE Howard, that I have ALWAYS liked Howard, I just don't like the direction he is going in now.)

I never have understood what makes a person SO insecure that they have to be two different people online vs real life. I'd hate to see you make liars out of Sadie and Suite, because they are two of a very few here whose opinions I take at face value.

So, you can have civil conversation with me on this or you can start spewing your vulgarities again. I really don't even have to check back to know which one it will be.

[Rockindeano]

I don't want your opinion on this, Angie. I want the facts...Is that so hard to understand? Is that a personal attack?

[Angiekay]

I don't want your opinion on this, Angie. I want the facts...Is that so hard to understand? Is that a personal attack?

I just GAVE you facts.

A. Stern came to Minnepolis in 1997

B. Clear Channel came in 1999

C. Stern was already in the works to leave as Clear Channel pulled in.


His ratings sucked in the Twin Cites. At the time our consultant was the APD of KQRS. He showed us the numbers from the arbitron book that determines ratings. Stern lost, period. He didn't like it. He left Minneapolis.

What more would you like?

[Angiekay]

I don't listen to him anymore b/c it is a four or five hour show with three hours of commercials. Will his Sirius show have commercials?

NIG, dude is a cash cow. You have to fit in commercials somewhere..

XM and Sirius have little if no commercials. That is what drew them up in the ranks to start with. That is their selling point and whole mantra. If they start with commercials just because Stern is on, it won't be any different then if he just moved to another radio station. I don't think Sirius will start running commericals just because Stern is on board.

[Rockindeano]

When NIGGY was talking of being too many commercials, i was referring to the current show on terrestrial radio....

I agree on Sirius not being as many commercials.

As for the Minneapolis departure, you are right..to a point. However, there were some nasty politics involved. 2 Family groups influenced the radio station to hamper Sterns show. He started out with a 5 then progressed to a 15...still not enough

The other factors were the shows that followed stern were horrible..

[Angiekay]

When NIGGY was talking of being too many commercials, i was referring to the current show on terrestrial radio....

Then why was your answer in response to him asking about commericals in SIRIUS?

As for the Minneapolis departure, you are right..to a point. However, there were some nasty politics involved. 2 Family groups influenced the radio station to hamper Sterns show. He started out with a 5 then progressed to a 15...still not enough

The other factors were the shows that followed stern were horrible..

See? Was that so damn hard, Deano? I don't know where you are getting the family group thing. KQ has been owned by Disney for years and the other stations in the cities posed no real competitve threat to Stern. KQ did have strong musical shows after their morning show(well, NOW they don't...circa 1999 they did), but I think what hurt Stern was following the morning show BEFORE him, which was a waste of a country station called BOB(turn your knob to Bob )even though the station turned classic rock when Stern came. KQ is a dominant OLD SCHOOL station in the cities. Stern needed to come into an established station, not a switched format upstart.

[Rockindeano]

Also, the station changed formats that had something to do with his departure.

The "pro family" groups I speak of, are in Google..I lost it..They lobbied hard, "for that terrible demon filled show" to leave.."good riddens" I believe they said.

I still hate the Viqueens.

[Angiekay]

Also, the station changed formats that had something to do with his departure.

The "pro family" groups I speak of, are in Google..I lost it..They lobbied hard, "for that terrible demon filled show" to leave.."good riddens" I believe they said.

Well, despite MN being one of the most liberal states(Minneapolis is right up there too) you are still talking about a very conservative part of the world. I'm surprised Bob and Tom have done as well in our market as they have, although they are not *nearly* as vulgar as Stern.

I still hate the Viqueens.

Baby steps, Deano, baby steps. The purple will grow on you one day. Then you'll forget all about that silly little ice sport.

[Rockindeano]

Oh no, Angie..You made the mistake of turning the conversation intomy field of smarts.

Minnesota USED to be liberal. Mondale lost a Senate race 2 years ago, The state barely voted blue, and I mean barely.

Minnesota is NOT liberal..Very middle of the road..