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Richard Drew / AP file
Happy birthday, Howard Stern.
OPINION
Howard Stern is 58 today, and there are many reasons to wish the self-proclaimed King of All Media a happy one. Wait a minute -- hear us out.
Say Stern's name and you're likely to get one of two responses: "Baba Booey to you!" or "Ugh! What a disgusting pig!" If you fall into the "ugh!" camp, 2012 just might be the year you start to come over to "Baba Booey"-ville.
Stern started the year on a very high note when he reached out to fans via Twitter on New Year's Eve, asking them to tweet him their phone numbers so that he could call them, thank them for their support and wish them a happy new year. The gesture thrilled fans and gave the man himself an emotional boost, which he shared with his listeners on his SiriusXM radio show.
This summer, he's making the jump to yet another medium -- primetime TV -- as one of the judges on "America's Got Talent."
The announcement brought condemnation from various parental watch groups and more than a few "I'll never watch agains" from the "ugh" crowd. But their vitriol is misplaced. Stern is an unbashed fan of the show, as well as "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars" and "X Factor." In his long career, he has seen a host of musical talent -- and the lack of it -- and is in a very strong position to offer truthful, and occasionally biting, comments to contestants. If you're expecting him to be nasty or vulgar, you may be disappointed, because ... wait for it ... he's actually a nice guy.
A devoted husband and father, Stern has been a vocal advocate for free speech, gay rights and animal rights. Listeners know that despite his bluster, he is a pussycat of a boss and has seemingly infinite compassion for his "whack pack." Just when you think he's finally done with Eric the Actor, he reaches out to help him yet again. He may rail furiously at Scott the Engineer or Benjy or Sal on Monday, but by Tuesday, all is forgiven.
So, on Howard's 58th birthday, we wish the King a very happy day, a very successful year and a heartfelt "hey now!"
Come on, "ugh" people. Give him a chance!
Are you a Stern fan or foe? Are you willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as he joins "AGT" this season? Share your thoughts on Facebook.
Leave a Comment:
I hope you have a crappy birthday, you worthless waste of human flesh.
Seriously? What evil has he done? He might not be your taste or he may offend you, but he isn't a bad person.
Way to elevate yourself above Mr. Stern, Lisa! You have changed my mind. Now, I hate him.
trip toe fan, you ask what evil has he done:
I heard him live in Wash DC call the Airlines and ask "how much is a one way ticket into the 13th Street Bridge" the day after the horrific plane crash.
Lisa has a good deal of anger at someone she has never listened to and knows nothing about other than what she heard from people who have heard stuff from people who talk to people sometimes. Back to your cleaning now your husband will be home soon (maybe).
Sincerely,
Jack Meoffer
I see you haven't gotten rid of your crabs yet. Typically dumb effing c*nt
Hey Common Sense - you obviously know NOTHING about Howard or his show and he never called the airlines after the DC crash to say anything about it - it was one of many "crank" callers who mention Howard's name who made that call - not Howard himself. PLEASE don't watch AGT - you won't get his humor, sarcasm or wit!
howard is a total sellout. his show sucks now and he is just an old grumpy old man. his horse faced wife is has also helped ruin the show. beth o is half retarded. please go to sternfansnetwork.com to see the truth. AGT will fail
I am sure all the haters follow celebrities and other people who have murdered, used drugs, beat their spouses, have criminal records of one sort or the other, treat other people like dirt, are alcoholics, ....i could go on. For example, Rush Limbo - drugs, Bill O'Reilly - sexual harrassment (remember the loofah), charly Sheen - need i say more, David Hasselhoff - drunk on the floor with hamburger videoed by daughter.....and so on. What has Stern done other than verbally offend some people ? Get over yourself. He is very funny and will behave perfectly on AGT. He actually has more values than most of any of us. Again, get over yourself.
DubASSlinkim,
You need to fact check before you criticize. I was listening to the show that morning Stern showed the world his inner slimball...
Fact check ? i stated fact and i didn't say you didn't. So not sure what your argument is. What facts did I get wrong ? Maybe you are just overly sensitive and use that as your basis for "fact".
"The degree of one's emotions varies inversely with one's knowledge of the facts"
Bertrand Russell
Howard's the best, and It's great to see a journalist write a complimentary article for once!!! All the people that talk sh*t about him most likely haven't even heard his voice in almost 10 years. You rule Howard!!!
Sincerely,
Norma Stits
I love Howard Stern, in day and age like we have been in for the past 10 years, I find his radio show very funny, something to laugh about for awhile. Happy Birthday Howard!
You most be very easily amused.
Yeah! You most have bin an awesome speeler in skool, two!
No interest in watching Stern on America's Got Talent. I have enjoyed the show in the past, but not enough to lower myself to Stern's slimball level.
I heard him live in Wash DC call the Airlines and ask "how much is a one way ticket into the 13th Street Bridge" the day after the horrific plane crash.
No you didn't.
Oh get over it . That was 30 years ago and it was the 14 street bridge. He even admits now that he probably went over the line with that one. He was making a joke about a horrible situation.
Slime ball my ass. Stern is one of the more compassionate human being on planet earth. people who hate on him will only be singing his praises once they get to know him and see the real howard.
HA! too funny... busted for stupidity
OK 14th been a few years, he still did it, and it was and still is by far one of the most thoughtless moments I have heard breathed in my life time. He really hit a low that day...
go to sternfanSnetwork.com for the truth on howard and his ammmaaaaaaaaazzzzing beth o! go to sternfannetwork.com if you want to hear neutered sheep...
I personally am looking forward to watching Mr. Stern on AGT. I believe his honesty will be a breath of fresh air to a show that really has not turned up any talent.
howard ripped off all his long time fans and its only a matter of time before he sues nbc for "not making me a partner"...wah. "make my wife famous she was a model"....giggles www.sternfanSnetwork.com for the rest of the story.
I heard Howie is going to Host Saturday Night Live with a guest appearance by his lovely and talented wife...When Will that be? I can't wait.......
Can we get a petition together to get Howard's wife as a correspondent for AGT???? I will be the first to sign....
I find Howard so hilarious. Just yesterday I was driving to work listening to the Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM and had to pull over to the shoulder to laugh. I almost caused an accident it was that funny!
It's hard to believe you have the capability of performing a job.
Can we find out why Howard's daughters don't get along with Howard's wonderful, saintly and talented wife??? Who could not get along with the Great Beth Ostrosky???
Where does that "fact" come from ?
I CANNOT believe AGT hired this HORRIBLE PORNOGRAPHER! WIG wearing, rip off artist. Visit sternfanSnetwork.com for the rest of the story.
Happy Birthday Howard!! All the long-time FANS (and no one on stern fan network is one - lowlifes) can't wait for his AGT judging gig as we've heard him judge bands, singers, actors, etc for YEARS and know he will be fair, level-headed and not let any BS get by. Can't wait to see it!
Howard Stern is a brilliant entertainer that has been extremely successful in show business for 35 years. I've been a fan since I first heard him on WNBC. He's redefined the radio and entertainment industries and has helped launch or revive the careers of many musicians and mainstream actors. He's a great interviewer and gets people to talk about things they'd never ordinarily mention; so much so that others in the media tune into the show and quote people from those interviews. So, regardless of what naysayers believe, Howard Stern continues to be a powerful player in show business.
Happy birthday to Howard Stern...and long live The King!!
If you listened to that sophomoric adolescent "humor" since he was on WNBC, it goes to show how much you have grown over the years. Obviously no one will be using the word brilliant when describing you.
Stern's show has grown and evolved. Try it out. You might like. You might not. But, give it a try. In any event, there won't be any lack of viewers for AGT regardless of all the whining I see on here. Go watch something else. Who cares. You can't change the world.
Can NBC get to the bottom of this long and simmering debate as to whether Howard Stern wears a wig or whether he has had hair transplants????
I heard that Howard's oldest daughter is quite then little actress.
Perhaps she will try out for the show and we will see if Daddy puts her through!
What's the deal with Robin's weight gain????..I hope she is not ill.....
Can we get to the bottom of that photo of what's her name with the banana????
I heard Howard hates Jay Leno...Why??Why?? Why???
Happy Birthday Howard - enjoy and maybe even take a well-deserved day off of work!
Some people may be operating under a bad impression of Howard - he is usually described as a "shock jock" and those who haven't heard his show think he hates everyone and is not a nice person. These days he and his lovely wife spend countless amounts of energy saving animals and he's more likely to tweet a picture of his wife with a fuzzy pet than he is to say bad things about celebrities (especially those who reside in the Hamptons).
Howard will give his honest input on AGT and his smile is ready for prime time.
Is it true that one of Howard's production companies is spending an enormous amount of money to make his very talented , a lovely wife a famous celebrity????
...I heard she is so saintly, that her doody can revive the dead
Jay has some of the MARBLES and HOWCHIE WANTS 'EM ALL!!!
I invented terribly photoshopped calendars! Just ask my escort, um, I mean "wife".
eh, he used to be funny but i guess i outgrew his humor.
This may off the subject but Is someone a good father if their underage daughter OD's on drugs???