Meet the new Howard Stern. He’d like to make amends for the

[jeaniebueller]

old Howard Stern.


www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/meet-the-new-howard-stern-hed-like-to-make-amends-for-the-old-howard-stern/2019/05/15/12e297f2-757f-11e9-bd25-c989555e7766_story.html?utm_term=.ea75906716ba


I know we had some heated discussions about whether Hillary should appear on his show during the 2016 campaign, so thought this article might be of some interest to the board.(he still has some really dumb takes on Trump and Hillary)

[isabel]

I’m in a bad mood, so I’m not going to read this and instead am just going to say, “fuck off, Howard Stern.”

[litebright]

I dunno, man. I was listening to a random morning radio show yesterday while in the car -- which I used to do frequently in my 20s (including occasionally some Howard Stern), but hardly ever listen to stuff other than either NPR or music now -- and I was just disgusted. They're doing a benign segment on grocery shopping and the male DJ throws in a joke about his female counterpart's "sweater puppies". And of course it's just accepted and nobody says a thing, and he ever goes back a few minutes later to talk about how he'd thrown it out there because he misunderstood something the caller said, and go on and on about it, not to apologize but to make it about him. This is a mainstream pop radio station, not shock jock-ery or anything like that, and this is the kind of thing that both men and women (and boys and girls) listen to and get the message that it's perfectly fine to make any stupid comment that comes into your head about a woman's body and it's FINE and you're LAME if you're offended, JEEZ. Can't you just be cool about it?

Howard Stern wasn't the origin of that, but he was a major contributor to an attitude/strategy that trickled down in ways big and small, and he can never repair all the cultural damage that he himself helped cause -- or the role he played in Trump becoming a well-known figure in the sort of bro-y, sexist audience who, decades later, probably thought back to those interviews and helped put him into office because hell if they were going to put up with a woman Democrat as president.

I mean, great for him that he's been in therapy for years to address his many issues, both in terms of mental illness and personal relationships. The whole point of all the times that people recommend therapy is to help people change and grow, and so I'm not going to say that it's impossible for someone to change drastically in their perspective -- I hope that it IS possible, otherwise why should people even bother with therapy, KWIM? But it doesn't make up for anything, or redeem him; he doesn't get to say that he doesn't know his old self and come off as genuine. You know your old self, Howard. We all do. Just because you're ashamed of your history doesn't mean you get to erase it. Although hell, he's a rich, white man, so maybe he does, it's just the rest of us who never get that chance.

[shauni27]

[ufcasey]

“Gwyneth Paltrow would never have touched my show in the old days, because she would have walked in and I would have said, ‘Hey, Gwyneth you’re really hot’ for 25 minutes, and then I would have said, ‘Hey, you ever . . .?” says Stern. “And she would’ve run out of the studio. . . . It’s not that it’s any less provocative, but it’s done in a way where that person can shine and that person can open up and you get to know that person.”

Here's the thing - I don't give a flying fuck if Howard Stern has come to the amazing conclusion that his radio show would actually be more interesting when talking to female celebrities if he didn't treat them like a body that is there for his sexual gratification and instead actually tried to treat them as a real person. And that he apparently went to therapy to get to that stunning insight. You don't get to use your name-recognition stemming from being a complete asshole, and then try to keep that name recognition for your own professional usage but now try to be more normal and get celebrated for that. And profit off of it. NOPE.

[DotAndBuzz]

I mean, yay for him realizing he was a completely insufferable dick, and that he perpetuated sexism and toxic masculinity, and that he's now trying to lead a less assholish life.

But....he still did it. And there are still millions of his fans who eat that shit up with a spoon, and live and breathe that credo. Not to mention the radio personalities who literally grew up listening to his garbage, and now mimic his style and attitude, even in a more cleaned up 'FCC friendly" version for broadcast radio. So hard pass on Howard Stern. If he's embarrassed about his past, well....meh.

[mcsangel2]

I wonder if he's apologized to any of Dana Plato's family for being so cruel to her when she was on. Because, wow, that probably made them feel SO MUCH better about her having committed suicide afterwards.

[notreal]

Every so often he tries to convince people he's this misunderstood genius. Always when he has something to sell.

[MrsAxilla]

He is a really good interviewer though. :::ducks:::

[Deleted]

May 17, 2019 10:10:21 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

He is a really good interviewer though. :::ducks:::

But surely he's not the ONLY really good interviewer. I haven't listened to him in 2+ decades (I used to be captive to it when my older brother would drive me to school). But there have to be women or non-asshole men who can also conduct really good interviews without the decades of demeaning and objectifying women. I don't apologize for my lack of interest in Howard Stern.

[sonrisa]

May 17, 2019 9:49:53 GMT -5 notreal said:

Every so often he tries to convince people he's this misunderstood genius. Always when he has something to sell.

Yep. He's done this before. It's his tactic to expand his marketshare and sales for whatever crap he's peddling. He said exactly the same shit back before his crappy movie. Which makes it all the more clear he knows exactly what sort of dick he is and can dial it back when it benefits him.

The nicest thing I have to say about Stern is that he isn't Rush or Alex Jones.

[jr009j]

May 17, 2019 10:10:21 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

He is a really good interviewer though. :::ducks:::

My husband constantly tries to convince me of this. “He’s the best long form interviewer!” “He’s so smart!” And I just don’t care. He was such a huge influence on pop culture and not for the better.

[waverly]

My H tried to talk about him today because I think he heard him on Fresh Air, I was like nope, next topic.

[Deleted]

May 17, 2019 10:26:32 GMT -5 waverly said:

My H tried to talk about him today because I think he heard him on Fresh Air, I was like nope, next topic.

I'm a podcast addict, and I deleted these episodes. I have SO MANY pods to listen to. I just DGAF.

[sonrisa]

May 17, 2019 10:10:21 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

He is a really good interviewer though. :::ducks:::

Not really. I can't name anyone whose interviews I like less. Sure, there is plenty of crap out there I don't listen to(and therefore couldn't name the interviewer), but there are many people who do a better job.

[fryjack2]

Maybe I’d believe him if he wasn’t just saying this shit to sell his book.

You know, because the backlash against people like him has been pretty harsh the last few years so his Schlick may not be so great for book selling.

[wildrice]

I'm chuckling a little bit that his change and therapy were sparked by his divorce....in 2001.

That was 18 years ago. And now suddenly he's had enough therapy that he's a good guy? 18 years of therapy to get to this point?

I mean, good for him for going to therapy. It shouldn't take 18 years of intense therapy to not be a dick, though. And if it does, well, we shouldn't be applauding you for taking nearly 2 decades to become a decent human.

There are plenty of other good interviewers. I'm all for personal growth and apologies, but that doesn't mean we have to forget.

[jeaniebueller]

Not gonna lie, I want to read the chapter in his book about him whining that Hillary never went on his show. Hopefully my library carries it. And really, I don't think i ever listened to an entire ep of his show, back then, or in its latest iteration.

[foundmylazybum]

May 17, 2019 10:46:01 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I'm chuckling a little bit that his change and therapy were sparked by his divorce....in 2001.

That was 18 years ago. And now suddenly he's had enough therapy that he's a good guy? 18 years of therapy to get to this point?

I mean, good for him for going to therapy. It shouldn't take 18 years of intense therapy to not be a dick, though. And if it does, well, we shouldn't be applauding you for taking nearly 2 decades to become a decent human.

There are plenty of other good interviewers. I'm all for personal growth and apologies, but that doesn't mean we have to forget.

Just out of curiosity, how long should it take?

[redheadbaker]

[wildrice]

May 17, 2019 11:43:25 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

May 17, 2019 10:46:01 GMT -5 wildrice said:

I'm chuckling a little bit that his change and therapy were sparked by his divorce....in 2001.

That was 18 years ago. And now suddenly he's had enough therapy that he's a good guy? 18 years of therapy to get to this point?

I mean, good for him for going to therapy. It shouldn't take 18 years of intense therapy to not be a dick, though. And if it does, well, we shouldn't be applauding you for taking nearly 2 decades to become a decent human.

There are plenty of other good interviewers. I'm all for personal growth and apologies, but that doesn't mean we have to forget.

Just out of curiosity, how long should it take?

To stop being a dick? I would hope much less than that. 

Therapy can be a lifelong process, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with going to therapy forever. (my H goes to therapy weekly, and likely will always have a therapist, so I'm definitely not knocking anyone for needing it!) But I guess my point is that I'm not buying that he's been doing intensive self reflection and working hard on improving himself for 18 years. He's a smart guy and presumably not a sociopath. If he was actually putting in the work, it would not take almost 2 decades to be able to learn to treat people respectfully.  

[Velar Fricative]

litebright, I think I caught that station. I was going through stations during my commute and it was odd to hear Stern on that station. I didn't listen for long at all because he grates on me so I didn't hear anything nutty, though I'm sure he was still being an asshole along with everyone else.

[Velar Fricative]

May 17, 2019 9:45:57 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

I wonder if he's apologized to any of Dana Plato's family for being so cruel to her when she was on. Because, wow, that probably made them feel SO MUCH better about her having committed suicide afterwards.

I had forgotten all about this, that she was on his show the day before she committed suicide.

[mcsangel2]

May 17, 2019 13:23:06 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

May 17, 2019 9:45:57 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

I wonder if he's apologized to any of Dana Plato's family for being so cruel to her when she was on. Because, wow, that probably made them feel SO MUCH better about her having committed suicide afterwards.

I had forgotten all about this, that she was on his show the day before she committed suicide.

That was 20 years ago this month. OMG.

[litebright]

May 17, 2019 13:13:41 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

litebright , I think I caught that station. I was going through stations during my commute and it was odd to hear Stern on that station. I didn't listen for long at all because he grates on me so I didn't hear anything nutty, though I'm sure he was still being an asshole along with everyone else.

The breast joke during a discussion about grocery shopping? That was some guy/show called Elliot in the Morning. I don't remember the station. 

[Velar Fricative]

May 17, 2019 14:38:20 GMT -5 litebright said:

May 17, 2019 13:13:41 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

litebright , I think I caught that station. I was going through stations during my commute and it was odd to hear Stern on that station. I didn't listen for long at all because he grates on me so I didn't hear anything nutty, though I'm sure he was still being an asshole along with everyone else.

The breast joke during a discussion about grocery shopping? That was some guy/show called Elliot in the Morning. I don't remember the station. 

Oh ok, that's not one of the stations I go through so he really must have been all over the place yesterday.

[Velar Fricative]

May 17, 2019 14:44:16 GMT -5 spearmintleaf said:

Yeah but we need to be careful about blaming people for someone’s suicide. No matter what he said during that interview, he’s not responsible for her death. That’s just not how it works.

I completely understand that, and should not have implied that and I apologize for that. It was sad to re-read about.

[cville]

Like, Moulten is absolutely going to go on his show and then try to convince all of us who eyeroll that bullshit that we just don't, like, get it.

Shut up.

[rubytue]

May 17, 2019 14:38:20 GMT -5 litebright said:

May 17, 2019 13:13:41 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

litebright , I think I caught that station. I was going through stations during my commute and it was odd to hear Stern on that station. I didn't listen for long at all because he grates on me so I didn't hear anything nutty, though I'm sure he was still being an asshole along with everyone else.

The breast joke during a discussion about grocery shopping? That was some guy/show called Elliot in the Morning. I don't remember the station. 

EitM started on WHFS in DC. I’m sure he ended up syndicated. 

[thejen626]

Possible @


Howard Stern said “it’s too bad they killed all those girls at Columbine and didn’t rape them too” or something to that affect. I don’t want to google because it’s fucking disgusting. But it’s out there.

There are tons of people that are great interviewers, that somehow can get through an interview without joking about raping murderered teenage girls. How the fuck is this not a unity horse on this board??

Fuck YOU Howard Stern. Die in a fire, alone, and broke. Your 15 minutes are up and nobody cares.