Howard Stern debuts as a judge on America's Got Talent tonight, but a lot of you haven't heard his show since he started on SiriusXM in 2005. Since I've been listening dutifully every day to the King of All Media for the last 7 years, allow me to bring you up to speed.
He's a lot mellower now
Years of therapy and perhaps a mellower life have noticeably made a difference. He's relaxed, his kids are grown, he's happy in his job and isn't worried about competing against other disc jockeys like Mancow or Don Imus. He can now say "I love you" to his father and his father says it back. He's done transcendental meditation for a long time, but has very recently returned to prayer.
(AP / Evan Agostini)
Sal and Richard are doing amazing prank calls
Their best work is prank calls to "Tradio" - local market radio shows where people can call in to sell or buy used items (basically a radio version of Craig's List). They call over and over mercilessly with fake items to sell, wasting the host's time. In this call, Richard describes his "item" ad nauseum but never says what the item actually is. It's sublime.
Artie Lange isn't on the show anymore
After a 2010 suicide attempt, Artie left the show and hasn't come back. Howard has chosen not to replace him with another comedian in the "Jackie seat". The suicide attempt was particularly grisly (he reportedly stabbed himself in the stomach with a kitchen knife). I was so upset when this happened I mailed him a card to the station; the only time I've ever actually sent a fan letter by mail.
He's super liberal now
Stern became a "9/11 Republican"; he was hawkish and was fully in support of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was always liberal on social topics such as gay rights, and now he's a big supporter of gay marriage and is a large donor to animal rights organizations.
(AP / Evan Agostini)
