The Pull of the Howard Stern Mystique
by Stace
Given the fact that I work for a Christian radio network, people are shocked that I am such a fan of Howard Stern. But, I admit, I'm a HUGE fan.
I got into Stern in the 1990s. I saw his book, Private Parts, on a bookstore clearance rack and was intrigued. Just the thought of reading about someone else's radio experience was interesting to me. I set out to be inspired and ended up repulsed. I was completely grossed out by the language and graphic nature of his exploits. And that was just the first chapter. I put the book away and didn't look it up again for a couple of years.
I was waiting for an airplane at LAX. I saw another copy of Private Parts at the gift shop and decided that it was a good time to check out the musings of Mr. Stern once again. I found myself laughing hysterically the entire plane ride home, and I've been a Stern fan ever since.
I listen to satellite radio every day on my way to and from work. I know that this must sound weird, since I work in terrestrial radio and am extolling the virtues of the competition, but I think that satellite radio and terrestrial radio both have their places in the world.
I like Stern because he is real. I don't always agree with him. I could do without the strippers and porn stars, but then again, I am not the target demographic. I listen to Stern for the reality. He sees the world in a way that many of us do yet are too fearful to admit to. He's a smart, funny and intense man. I hear many critics talk about how "easy" his show is; after all, how difficult is it to talk smut all day? But that's the genius of Howard Stern. It takes a lot to come up with 12 minutes of compelling content each hour—I can't even imagine driving a show like his for hours at a time. The guy is a workaholic, it's incredibly evident, and he's a genius.
American Idol is the No. 1 television show in America. Over 30 million people watch it every week. Howard Stern decided to see if he can take it down. Is it possible to influence the show to the point where the least talented person is crowned the winner? Week after week, Stern and his legion of fans are keeping one contestant in the hunt. The mainstream media is starting to pick up on the fact that Stern can really make a difference. I am watching with bemusement as I see producers for the show try to discount Stern's involvement. The real truth is that Stern and his minions have the ability to completely train wreck the American Idol machine, and there's not a thing that can be done to stop it.
How did Howard Stern get to be the Voice of America? How did a $90 a week disc jockey go from working paycheck to paycheck in one of the most competitive and cutthroat fields to making millions of dollars by talking on the airwaves?
Welcome to America.
America really is the land of opportunity. I applaud Howard Stern for staying true to who he is and was, despite being told to change his ways. I know how it feels to love a job so much that you spend all your waking moments dreaming of it, and find your only reward is an unemployment line. I know how it feels to work on a bit over and over in your head, execute it flawlessly on the air, and have it completely bomb. I know what it feels like to have your personal life scrutinized by people who have no idea who you really are. It's not at all fun.
So it may be surprising that this conservatively liberal girl loves to listen to the "Shock Jock." But I encourage you to step outside of your circle. Half the fun of listening is knowing that you don't have to agree. The other half is the fun of knowing you do.
Shock jock or innovator, Howard Stern is one of a kind, and I will keep on listening.
