Everyone knows that there’s no Howard Stern without Robin Quivers, so her announcement today that she might not return to the show was particularly disturbing. Apparently, Howard Stern signed his deal for another five years, but Robin has yet to sign her own deal. I found this confusing, especially because my understanding of Howard Stern’s contract is that Sirius pays his company a lump sum and then Stern uses that money to pay his staff. That would explain why he’s repeatedly said that he didn’t actually pocket $100 million per year. According to Robin, she “hasn’t even been made an offer.” Does this mean that Howard hasn’t made her an offer or that Sirius hasn’t made her an offer? I demand an explanation.
Tag: Howard Stern
Howard Stern Renews With Sirius — YAY!!!
I’m going to keep this short and sweet. Howard Stern renewed his deal with Sirius, and will be on the radio for another five years. That not only means that he won’t abandon his staff in this terrible economy, but also that I don’t have to cry every morning in memory of the radio show that makes each of my days a little brighter. On yesterday’s show he said there was one major sticking point left in his negotiations, but he would not reveal what it was, only admitting that it made him feel disrespected. I assume that Sirius folded, because Stern doesn’t seem like the concession kind of guy. Did I mention that I love Howard Stern?! Also, I’d like to get some credit for predicting this.
Will Howard Stern Re-Sign With Sirius? — All Signs Point to Yes
Here’s what I know about deal-making in Hollywood. It’s often a mess, and it takes a lot of time. This is especially true when the talent is difficult, and Howard Stern fits the bill. He’s a notorious curmudgeon, and he’s been very open about his lengthy contract negotiations with Sirius. So what’s the holdup, and will the deal fall apart? I say no, and here’s why. First, I’ve been a Howard Stern fan since my father used to play him in his car when I was a teenager — and if there’s anything I’ve learned about Stern — it’s that he’s a raging egomaniac who wouldn’t leave Sirius without an elaborate party involving news crews and a megaphone. No such party is planned, because he’s still knee deep in contract negotiations in hopes of re-signing. I imagine that there are three major sticking points and both sides are holding firm. I doubt it’s money related. Stern probably wants more vacation days and less hours on air. Sirius knows that it would defeat his morning radio brand, and that Sirius subscribers are already pissed enough about his insane vacation schedule. So who will give, and when will we know? I predict Sirius will fold in a couple of days, and Stern will sign. Why? Because if Stern doesn’t re-sign prior to his last day on the air, Sirius loses the insane amount of promotion they stand to gain with the announcement. If I’m right about this, I’d like my readers to give me an electronic pat on the back. Get ready.
UPDATE: Howard Stern is rumored to be making a three year, $600 million deal with Apple’s iTunes. Stern refused to put the rumors completely to rest, cryptically saying that he is intentionally keeping tight-lipped about his negotiations. I still think he’ll stick with Sirius, but if he’s actually being offered this insane amount of money (which I don’t think he is), you can be sure he’ll accept. Who the fu*k turns down $600 million?
Vintage Playboy Interview: George Clooney
It’s no secret that Playboy has the best interviews in history, and as a tribute to the revolutionary magazine, I’ve decided to share an anecdote from a George Clooney interview, because it confirms what a great guy he is. Clooney revealed his on set war with director David O. Russell while shooting the 1999 film, Three Kings. Clooney said Russell yelled at everyone on the set, including a camera car driver. Clooney confronted Russell, saying, “You can yell and scream and even fire him, but what you can’t do is humiliate him in front of people. Not on my set, if I have any say about it.” Russell then screamed at a second assistant director, who quit on the spot. Clooney addressed him again, saying, “you can’t shove, push or humiliate people who aren’t allowed to defend themselves.” Russell responded to Clooney’s criticism by challenging him to a fist fight, and the two men came to blows. Clooney “had him by the throat,” confessing that he was “going to kill him.” Though they finally finished the movie, Clooney said it was “without exception, the worst experience of [his] life.” My favorite part of this story is the idea that George Clooney stuck up for the little guy at the very beginning of his career before he really became the star he is today. It’s no secret that directors can be demeaning assholes, but it’s up to the power players to put a stop to it. To add to this story, Lily Tomlin later worked with David O. Russell on I Heart Huckabees, and a tape was released of a fight between Russell and Tomlin. Many accused Clooney of circulating the tape, which he later denied. Watch below to see Russell lose it half-way in.
Howard Stern Interviews Billy Joel — Magic Ensues
Howard Stern was at his best today — and so was Billy Joel. Stern asked Joel to come in for an interview about a month ago, and Joel agreed. The dynamic was particularly interesting, considering Stern and Joel are good friends off the air, and yet Stern was still mesmerized when Joel performed his songs in the studio, saying, “Billy, I’m not a woman but I want to blow you after listening to that.” At one point Stern even compared Joel to Beethoven, and Joel quickly brushed it off, saying, “don’t lay it on too thick.” Joel randomly played songs on the spot while discussing them. He explained his song-writing process, in a song-by-song format. My favorite question of the interview was when Stern asked Joel if he likes the piano, and Joel said he either loves it or detests it. He said that when he’s writing a song, and it’s going well, he loves the piano. But when the song isn’t turning into what he imagined, the piano is a gigantic beast that he has to conquer. I love Billy Joel and I love Howard Stern — does it get better? Listen to New York State of Mind below.
Update: Some of the songs discussed in the interview include: Uptown Girl; Allentown; Dear Mr. Fantasy (Steve Winwood); Vienna Waits For You; Miami 2017; Just the Way You Are; The Downeaster Alexa; Big Shot; and Goodnight Saigon.
Billy Joel – New York State of Mind by conorplaskitt2
Chris Rock Tells Howard Stern How to Improve His Show
Every time I get frustrated with Howard Stern’s radio show I imagine myself having a personal conversation with Stern and telling him everything he needs to improve. But I don’t have to — because Chris Rock does my dirty work. Rock Called Stern’s show today and told Stern that his show “needs some improvements.” Stern was quiet, presumably because he doesn’t take criticism well. Rock wasn’t intimidated and said that if he’s going to take Friday’s off he should still have an original show on the air. He also told him that the “unannounced Mondays have to fucking stop.” Rock is referring to Stern’s incessant vacations, which Stern never announces. It’s infuritating because you get into the car to go to work on a Monday morning, turn on your radio in anticipation of a new Howard Stern show, and you get dated, repeated crap instead. When Stern said he would stay on the air if he could work less hours, Rock said, “you barely work now.” Stern told Rock that Oprah does less hours than him and gets away with it, and Rock said that it’s a ridiculous comparison. Way to go, Chris!
Howard Stern on Les Moonves: “I Don’t Have to Suck his Balls”
Howard Stern went on one of his infamous tirades today, aimed specifically at Les Moonves and Joel Hollander. Hollander and Moonves ran the show while Stern was on terrestrial radio, and they both sued him for breach of contract when he left for Sirius satellite radio. Since the lawsuit, Stern periodically bashes the two bloated suits, and today’s bashing session started because Hollander actually said something nice about Stern in the paper. When asked what Sirius would do if Howard left when his contract ended, Hollander said, “Howard can do whatever he wants and be successful in any medium on any platform. But if I were a betting man, I’d guess that he’d stay.” Stern wasn’t pleased that Hollander complimented him, especially since he previously sued him. Stern remembered his meeting with Moonves and Hollander, when he confronted them with the lawsuit “with tears in his eyes.” I almost began to feel a little sad myself, until Stern ended his tearful recount with the statement, “I don’t have to suck Les’ balls!”
Blog Daily Roundup
- Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Penn Badgley have ended their three year relationship. Hollywood Life
- Marilyn Manson has a new girlfriend. The Hollywood Gossip
- Jodie Sweetin’s ex-husband isn’t happy with her new book. Starz Life
- Denise Richards might be back together with Richie Sambora. Examiner
- Mel Gibson might have agreed to a sit-down interview. Stuff
- Rihanna didn’t attend Katy Perry’s wedding because she hates Russell Brand. Astrochicks
- Kat Von D and Jesse James might be engaged. Celebrity Dirty Laundry
- Did Justin Timberlake cheat on Jessica Biel with Olivia Munn? Just Jared
- Billy Ray Cyrus filed for divorce. TMZ
- Audrina Patridge’s mother had way too much to drink. Us Magazine
Today’s Question: Are Sex Scenes Awkward Because The Wife Shows Up?
Actors are constantly whining about how uncomfortable sex scenes are, and interviewers always scoff at the claim. Actors insist that no one wants to fool around with a total stranger while the crew stands around eating sandwiches. Since so many actors end up dating their co-stars, I often wonder if this claim is an urban legend that keeps getting perpetuated. Denise Richards might have revealed the real reason behind the discomfort while promoting her new show, Blue Mountain State, on Howard Stern today. Richards told Stern that a scene in the show required her to place her hand on her co-star’s penis, and she insisted that he wasn’t erect. When Stern accused him of being gay, Richards explained that he likely didn’t get erect because his girlfriend was standing on set, watching the scene. Michelle Pfeiffer said the same, joking that she often waves to the girlfriend while engaging in sex scenes with a man. If I were an actor on set, I’d be mighty angry if my co-star’s significant other showed up to watch me like a hawk. They should be banned from the set.
Denise Richards Talks Charlie Sheen on Joy Behar
Denise Richards has been on my radar lately, mostly because she changed her image so drastically in the press. For a long time, Richards was accused of stealing her best friend’s husband, and no matter how many times she insisted otherwise, she was trounced by the media (including the very judgmental Matt Lauer). With Charlie Sheen’s arrest, I assumed that Richards would re-hash her life with him, and further confirm that she was right to file for divorce. Instead, she has stayed quiet, insisting that she was “there for him in the hospital,” and she has some very beautiful memories of their life together. I officially love her. Good job handling this mess Denise. Watch the video below to hear her discuss the sensitive topic.