HOWARD STERN SHOW NEWS
Here's the story about Howard getting suspended for a day.
Howard Stern Benched
by Charlie Amter
Nov 7, 2005
Howard Stern may believe he is the King of all Media, but Infinity executives wanted to show Stern who is really boss Monday. Stern will be forced to sit out Tuesday's show after getting hit with a one-day suspension for talking up his upcoming move to Sirius Satellite Radio a bit too much.
Infinity, which airs howard Stern in 20 markets, will replace his normal morning circus with a compilation show. He is expected back on air Wednesday. Stern's spokesman, Jennifer Walcott, characterized the penalty as a last-minute power grab by Infinity suits, who are upset with the broadcasting legend's decision to leave free radio for pay. "This is an act of desperation by men who are losing their once-in-a-lifetime franchise," Traub told the Associated Press Monday. Traub says that Stern will be paid for his unscheduled day off.
Word of Howard's suspension was first broadcast by Sirius' Howard 100 channel, which is broadcasting news on the shock jock in advance of his arrival in January. Stern's sounding off on his move to Sirius is nothing new. The Private Parts purveyor has been fuming on air over Infinity's purported mistreatment of him since he signed a $500 million deal to relocate his show a year ago. And he regularly extols the free-speech values of satellite radio.
It's not immediately clear just what comments the 51-year-old shock jock made that prompted the suspension. HowardStern.com's daily show recap mentions that Stern talked about going furniture shopping for his new Sirius office early in Monday's edition of his syndicated radio program. Stern also apparently told a caller that "you get what you pay for," in reference to his forthcoming uncensored show. Stern will be replaced by various hosts next year, including David Lee Roth in New York and Aria Giovanni in Los Angeles.
Of course, this is not the first time Howard Stern has been pulled from the airwaves. He was yanked off the air by Citadel Broadcasting in January for touting the wonders of Sirius. "Regrettably, Mr. Stern has transformed the content of his show into a continuous infomercial promoting Sirius, his new satellite radio employer," the company said. And after being dropped by Clear Channel for indecent broadcasts, Stern filed a $10 million breach of contact suit against the radio giant. Clear Channel countersued for $3 million in July 2004.
In any case, Howard Stern's last FM radio show is currently scheduled for Dec. 16.--if Howard and Infinity executives can coexist that long. Expect Stern to discuss his most recent suspension, his lack of love for Clear Channel and quite possibly his undying love of porn stars when he guests on The Late Show with David Letterman this Thursday.
RETURN TO THE HOWARD STERN SHOW FAN CLUB
|