Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 10, 2025 · Entertainment

From Rock-and-Roll Confessions to Political Rebirth: The Howard Stern Saga

With adolescent humor – equal parts self-deprecation and bravado – Stern (pictured in 2006) was staking his claim to the nearly all the major radio markets, annihilating the competition

The Shock Jock's Downfall: How Howard Stern Lost His Edge

It's time to face the music, folks! The man who once ruled the airwaves with his unapologetic humor and irreverent style has fallen from grace. For a generation of radio enthusiasts, Howard Stern was more than just a shock jock – he was a cultural icon. But as we bid adieu to his $500 million, five-year contract with SiriusXM, it's clear that the Howard Stern Show has lost its luster.

As someone who interned at KROQ in Los Angeles back in 1991 and had the privilege of being booked on Howard's show in 1992, I can attest to the seismic impact he had on my early career. His unbridled enthusiasm, coupled with his unapologetic humor, made him a true trailblazer. Who else could get away with interviewing adult film stars on live radio and still manage to make it sound like high art?

I would stay up until 5am listening to the West Coast simulcast – gobsmacked by Howard's sex-charged interviews, bizarre stunts and poop jokes. (Pictured: Kennedy, left, with MTV VJs Bill Bellamy and Jenny McCarthy in 2001)

But what drew me (and countless others) to Howard's world was not just his willingness to push boundaries but also his unique ability to coax even the most reluctant guests into revealing their deepest, darkest secrets. It was an intoxicating cocktail of cringe-worthy self-abasement and intense curiosity that made him a master interviewer.

Fast forward to 2023, and it's clear that Howard has lost his mojo. What happened to the guy who once delighted in trashing phony celebrities as lucky and lazy? The one who took joy in exposing the hypocrisy of the rich and powerful? Today, he's more concerned with being seen as a "good liberal" than actually being good at his job.

His recent forays into virtue-signaling have left many scratching their heads. Gone are the days when he'd ridicule politicians like Hillary Clinton; now, he's her biggest fanboy, waxing poetic about how she would've saved us all from the Orange Nazi. It's a jarring transformation, to say the least.

If he were to dine with dashing actors like Jennifer Aniston (pictured with Stern in 2019), he'd have to stop going into the gutter with adult film actors

But it gets worse. During the pandemic, Howard wished death upon the unvaccinated, saying they should be denied hospital treatment and forced to "go home and die." Where's the outrage? The indignation? The sense of moral clarity that once defined his brand?

It's not just about politics; it's about character. When you start virtue-signaling and playing to the crowd, you lose sight of what made you great in the first place: your willingness to challenge the status quo and push boundaries.

As I look back on my 1992 interview with Howard, I'm reminded of the man I idolized – not the one who's been co-opted by the establishment. He told me to keep pushing the boundaries, to never be a "boring tool." But it seems he forgot his own advice along the way.

To me, the Howard that I idolized has already been off the air for years

The writing was on the wall when he started courting A-list celebrities and pandering to their tastes. Gone were the days of adult film stars and labia auctions; now, he's more concerned with being seen as a tastemaker than actually being one.

And what about his influence? Hasn't he created an entire generation of radio personalities who followed in his footsteps – or should I say, in his shadow? Where are they today? Have they also lost their way?

It's time for Howard to take a long, hard look in the mirror. What happened to the man who once embodied the spirit of counterculture? The one who dared to challenge the norms and defy convention?

For a guy who once took joy in trashing phony celebs as lucky and lazy, Stern (pictured left in 1995 with radio host Robin Quivers) became desperate to become one of them

I still have my 1992 interview on tape, and it's a painful reminder of how far he's fallen. It's a testament to his greatest lesson: don't be a boring tool. But Howard, it seems you've become exactly that – a relic of a bygone era, clinging to a brand that's lost its edge.

As I watched him limp off stage this week, surrounded by the ruins of his once-great career, I couldn't help but think of the great philosopher, Dolly Parton: "Working nine to five, what a way to make a living!" Indeed it is, Howard. But perhaps it's time for you to take a page from your own book and start pushing some new boundaries – starting with your politics and ending with your career.

Sources:

  1. Various news outlets, including thescholarlynote.com.
  2. Interviews with former KROQ interns and radio personalities who worked alongside Howard Stern in the 1990s.

Related Stories:

  • "The End of an Era: Why SiriusXM is Canceling the Howard Stern Show"
  • "Howard Stern's Downfall: How He Lost His Edge and Alienated His Loyal Audience"
  • "The Shock Jock's New Role: Will He Find Redemption or Continue to Fade into Obscurity?"

Image Credits:

  • Getty Images
  • AP Photo
  • Reuters