Ok, I've tried to listen to Howard Stern...

[MindPilot]

I try. I really try. The past few days, I’ve tried to listen to Howard Stern since he’s now on a Viacom station in my area. The other morning show on a Clear Channel station has been around for decades. They are funny, quick, talented, and topical, but of course still Clear Channel. There’s lots of fawning over the military, and our glorious wars to protect our glorious freedom benevolently secured by our glorious leader. But when they are not Moore/Chicks/Rondstat bashing, they’re damned entertaining.

Stern’s recent tussle with CC had given me high hopes of cutting political commentary a la Al Franken. So far I’m really disappointed. Stern’s show is not even a show. There’s no production there. It’s like I’m a teenager stuck in a room with my mom and a few of her friends cackling over coffee about nothing I find even remotely interesting. Between the frequent dead air and an occasional caller with a silly accent who makes everybody laugh, the entire show seems to consist of Stern delivering one-liners about various celebrities which of course everyone in-studio seems obligated to laugh at.

Am I missing something? Is this a New York thing that I, as a left coaster, cannot possibly hope to comprehend? Frankly I ain’t getting’ it.

[Goldmund]

1. I'm from New York

and I don't get it either...

[DS1]

2. Maybe you catch him too late

I don't like most of the show, but compared to the morning show idiots where I live, the man's a genius. He's usually done with the Bush-bashing by 8 am. Then it turns to the usual stuff but I'm out of the house by that point anyway :shrug:

[kentuck]

3. Don't feel bad...never been a Stern fan either....

Juvenile and not serious enough about real problems, unless they affect him personally. "Now can you take your bra off...you are hot!" bullshit... :)

[WI_DEM]

4. I've always thought Stern was overrated

Same for his cable tv show--nothing but T and A. He degrades women--well, to be fair, the women he has on his show allow themselves to be degraded.

[PoliticsSportsMusic]

5. He has but one redeeming quality...

he talked out against the Repugs.

[truthspeaker]

6. Just because he's on our side doesn't mean you have to like him.

Myself, I don't like talk at ALL on the radio in the morning. I want music while I wake up, not some people telling dumb jokes and yapping at me.

I mean, I don't like Linda Ronstadt's music but I'm glad she's on our side.

[On the Road]

7. I Think Howard is Very Entertaining

but he's not to everyone's taste. I actually like him better recently, when he's not talking about sex all the time.

Howard claims that his show is based on "honesty," and as much as he tries to be entertaining, I believe him. I think this is what makes it work for many people. When he talks about the entertainment industry, for example, you get the sense that this is how industry people talk off the set. I don't think I've ever heard that tone from anyone else.

I have a hard time listining to other DJ's -- they all sound like they're putting on a show and trying to be cool. Stern is too, of course, but he lets you in behind the scenes, so to speak, rather than be a clueless audience.

It doesn't speak to everyone, though. There's nothing wrong with that.