On Monday, Howard Stern returned to his SiriusXM show after a lengthy summer hiatus, delighting fans while simultaneously pulling off a clever prank on viewers and media outlets alike. Following rampant speculation about his possible exit from the show, Stern's return was marked by an unexpected twist that had fans buzzing.
The show began with Andy Cohen, who took to the airwaves and announced the channel’s new direction as "Andy 100." He teased listeners with a guest appearance from Patti LuPone and remarked, “This is, I know, not the voice that you expected to hear. This is not how things were meant to go.” This opening caught many listeners off guard, contributing to the swirling rumors about Stern's departure.
About 15 minutes into the show, Stern made his entrance, revealing, “That was all masterminded by me.” He addressed the media speculation and listener reactions throughout the summer, providing insight into the chaos that ensued as rumors about his potential exit spread like wildfire. Notably, some outlets reported that he was on the verge of leaving his iconic show, a staple of the SiriusXM network.
The speculation reached new heights when Brian Glenn from Real America’s Voice even posed a question to President Donald Trump regarding Stern's rumored exit. This level of media attention only fueled the fire, despite no official announcement regarding his departure being made.
During his show, Stern shared his surprise at the rumors surrounding his career. “All of the sudden, I’m sitting home, and everybody I know in my world, even peripherally, is writing me, ‘Are you OK?’” he explained. He recounted how his wife informed him of the rumors, leading to his frustration and disappointment. “What pisses me off is now I can’t leave. I’ve been thinking about retiring. Now I can’t, because they’ll say I got pushed out, so I’ll be back. F— you these rumors,” he added, emphasizing his commitment to the show.
Although Stern had initially announced his return date as September 2, he delayed his comeback by a week due to a persistent illness he described as a “cold from hell.” He assured fans that he would push through the week, despite still feeling under the weather. Adding to the intrigue, Stern had signed a five-year contract in 2020, but no new agreement has been announced as of yet.
As Howard Stern continues to hold the spotlight in the radio industry, his ability to engage with fans while navigating media speculation speaks volumes about his enduring popularity and influence. With his unexpected return and the clever prank, it's clear that Stern remains a formidable force in the world of entertainment.
