Stern is in the news. Here are a couple of corrections to the news reports and some takes on it.



Stern doesn't work for Clear Channel (CC). He works for Viacom/CBS/Infinity. He show is taken on syndication deals from Viacom to 6 Clear Channel stations. The 6 stations are not that big of a deal, it isn't a bold move or whatever people are saying.



It was up for awhile at the Drudge Report but now I haven't seen it. According to what was posted at Drudge a caller on his show asked the guest if he ever banged a famous nigger and do they smell like watermelon. I don't know the exact quote but those were the words that got him in trouble.



Today Radio and Records has coverage they report: Stern, who referred to the country as "Fear Channel," noted these were "the last days of The Howard Stern Show."



Is the issue Freedom of Speech? Well that's what Stern says, and even what Rush said today according to Drudge. I guess anybody who gets fired from an on air media job could say the same thing. People have been fired for a long time for saying some stupid sheet on the air. Freedom of Speech? If Stern really thinks people will buy that he is crazy. The freedom to hear a woman have mayonnaise rubbed on her butt then have Howard throw slices of bologna and see if it sticks? Come on. So once you get a job on the air you can never ever be fired for something you say because of freedom of speech? Uhh no it don't work that way. Can you unjustly be fired for content of your show? Oh for sure.



What Howard does is slapstick radio, it is rude and and crude, sometimes funny. Howard wants it to be thought of as a challenging intellectual show, but sorry Howard, it is just silly adolescent slapstick.



Also of note is that it was a caller. The out for Stern and Viacom could be to fire the guy who was supposed to hit the "dump" button, so the offending words didn't go out on the air. But that might be Howard. The local stations that run Stern can dump content (hit a button that prevents audio from going out over the air, you don't want me to explain anymore do you?) when they feel the need to. So it can be controlled locally. Also I know some stations on the west coast will tape the show at 3am when the live feed is sent, then edit the tape and remove content they don't want to air.



Howard has always played the "why me" game. Like Lenny Bruce it has become part of the act. He put out a collection called Crucified by the FCC click on the link and you can hear some bits.



And maybe Stern really wants out. He can do completely free form radio on satellite like Sirius or XM, work on tv, and if this is how he leaves he goes out a martyr to his fans.



Now what? Well it is kind of funny that the head of CC took a stand against improper content and fired the big star of Viacom. It gives the impression that CC are really going to do something about the content on their licensed airwaves. OK maybe they are. But it also deflects some of the heat on CC for their owned shows content. AND it moves the spotlight to Viacom/Infinity. They syndicate Howard. If they don't do anything to Howard what does that say?



Your move Mel.



so dear listeners remember this...



People on air have always been and always will be fired for things they say. When you push the edge and have had previous fines for content you shouldn't be surprised if one day you take a fall.



Stern is not high brow content and he sounds silly trying to pull himself up to that level. No one will buy that



Freedom of Speech is an issue. But when you are on a regulated licensed airwaves you have some responsibility to meet the rules and regulations as part of the license. There is also an obligation to make the rules clear and consistently enforced.



BTW if freedom of speech is an issue can I mention one name? Bobby Knight



And one more. You should read this story on Greaseman. What he said: "No wonder people drag them behind trucks." He is working again info



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