A kindler, humbler Howard returns to bookshelves with a collection of interviews
Howard Stern is widely recognized as the self-proclaimed King of All Media and long time radio show host. His career spans over four decades, beginning as a shock jock willing to do anything for a laugh. His raunchy style of humor resulted in a huge number of fines and several firings from terrestrial radio. Early in the 21st century, a perfect storm crashed down on Howard and his crew and this book is one of the results.
Howard Stern the Therapist
Around the same time Howard and crew moved to satellite radio (Sirius Radio before the merger with XM), he began to truly embrace the lessons that he was learning in therapy. On air, Howard routinely talks about his upbringing in Queens, NY. He has become more open about how being raised shaped his issues and his mental health.
The perspective is practically a 180 degree turn from the young, loud brash DJ who was willing to offend anyone and go to any lengths for a gag. Some of Howard’s best work since he began in therapy has been his approach to interviewing guests. Howard is a tireless researcher who always has deep information on a guest, regardless of their profession and level of fame. Those interviews are the makeup of his new book.
Howard Stern Comes Again is a collection of interviews throughout the years, organized by topic, and prefaced with where Stern was in his life. He lays out any timely events that may have impacted his line of questioning. The interviewees come from every career and walk of life, from Howard’s mother to the current President of the United States.
Howard Stern the Journalist
Reading the book allowed me to revisit many interviews I’ve heard Howard give on the radio. His ability to probe and to provoke emotional responses is unparalleled. Several of these enlighten not just the reader, but also the guest. Stephen Colbert shares deeply personal information about his relationship with his father. So does John Stewart. Harvey Weinstein comes off as a narcissist, a telling air of arrogance coming from an interview long before his 2018 accusations came to light.
One of my favorites is with Sia. The singer/songwriter is notoriously private, but Howard gets her to open up (and to openly cry) about fame and how it doesn’t map directly with her self-image. Conan O’Brien reveals some crazy details about the late-night show ecosystem. Jimmy Kimmel talks about his friendship that has evolved with Howard and his family. Amy Schumer, Steve Martin, Ellen Degeneres and Joan Rivers all discuss life, comedy, and their unique approaches to a Hollywood career.
Conclusion
Howard Stern Comes Again is a showcase of Howard Stern 2.0. The show still features plenty of toilet humor and penis jokes, but Stern’s interviews are the diamond in the rough. Compiling this collection of interviews must have been a challenge. The result is an amazing read that shines a light on some of Howard’s popular guests throughout the decades. It provides some insight into the man himself and is absolutely worth a read (or more.)