Howard Stern Takes TV to New Lows

The raunchy antics of radio “shock jock” Howard Stern have netted him both a fanatical national audience and more than $2 million in federal (fcc) fines. Now, after expanding into film, books, and cable TV, the self-proclaimed “King of All Media” has tackled broadcast TV.

The Howard Stern Radio Show, the host’s new CBS venture, airs late (but perhaps not late enough) on Saturdays, and features televised versions of Stern’s typically obnoxious radio studio gimmicks—many of which make Jerry Springer look almost civilized.

Produced by Eyemark, a CBS-owned syndication company, the show debuted August 29, two days before the launch of family-friendly PAX TV network (CT, Oct. 5, 1998, p. 15).

Early episodes earned TV’s MA rating with a lengthy flatulence contest, a lap-dancing stripper (nudity was digitally obscured), a misanthropic “contest” featuring less-than-picture-perfect women competing for free plastic surgery, Stern groping the breasts of a woman who had a sex-change operation, and a takeoff on TV’s Dating Game featuring two mentally disabled people.

Critics howled, calling the episodes “a low point in television history” (New York Post) and “the dregs of the dregs” (Washington Post). The first week, viewers tuned in by the millions, giving the show a respectable 5.9 rating. In succeeding weeks, however, ratings sank, and increasing numbers of viewers watched Saturday Night Live reruns on NBC instead.

Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association, long a critic of Stern’s radio and cable shows, has tried to persuade stations to drop the show. But it has been personal disgust—not outside pressure—that has inspired some station managers to do so.

A station in Lubbock, Texas, dropped it, as did KTVK in Phoenix, whose manager, Larry Landaker, called it “cruel,” saying, “At some point you have to ask yourself, Does this have any value at all?

Stern continues his daily radio program and his five nights a week cable show on E! Entertainment Television.

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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Abraham Kuyper: A Man for This Season

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Veils, Kisses, and Biblical Commands

Moms in the Crossfire

Stumped by Repentance

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Native Christians Reclaim Worship

Christian Syndicate Launched

Goats Make Holiday Gift Lists

Israel’s Holocaust

Bill Would Limit Lethal Drugs

Famine Toll Exceeds 1 Million

Christian Journalists Form Society

In Brief: October 26, 1998

Churches Seek Debt Cancellation

CoMission Expands to Africa and Asia

House Church Leaders Call for Freedom

Pastoral Trio to Hold Clinton ’Accountable’

Turning Back the Clock

This Present Biopolitical Darkness

A Restoration Project

A Restoration Project

Letters

Lyons Retains Post Despite Fraud Charges Adultery

Spurning Lady Luck

White House Scandal Sparks Church Dialogue

Zoning: City Nixes Worship Permit at Vineyard Church

The Clumsy Embrace

Fighting for Fairness

Editorial

The President’s Small Group

The End of the Great Rebellion

The Other Brother Had a Point

Rejecting the Prodigal

The Missing Mother

Wild Card Election

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