Limbaugh vs. Stern: Who’s the Real Radio Star?
Two radio giants enjoyed a memorable December. One was dubbed the radio personality of the decade by Mediaweek and survived a heart scare, while the other was patting himself on the back for his historical run via his own radio program.
That says plenty about Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern, respectively, circa the end of the last decade.
The two radio stars couldn’t be any more different, despite sharing the same January 12 birthday. Limbaugh traffics almost exclusively in politics, with an occasional football recap between monologues. Stern’s show runs the gamut from lesbians to … more lesbians. Actually, that’s unfair — Stern’s shtick can be all-encompassing, and at his best he’s an insightful interviewer who wrings fresh material out of even the most jaded personalities.
Assuming one can tolerate his often crass approach to the medium.
But while Stern’s career is on the decline — he toils in a less accessible medium and has no new side projects in sight — Limbaugh’s star continues to rise. In fact, Limbaugh’s connection to American politics and culture has never been more vital. And the conservative’s terrestrial radio perch ensures he impacts the national discourse on a daily basis. The only time Stern makes headlines these days is when he talks about his possible contract extension.
More importantly, Limbaugh is still rolling up his sleeves and imploring his listeners to act, to think, to embrace conservatism. Stern seems all too eager to begin his next vacation or to cue up another radio segment applauding his genius.
On the surface, it’s impossible to directly compare the two radio personalities. Limbaugh broke big in the late ‘80s as a conservative firebrand, mixing smart political chatter with a comically inflated ego.
With talent … on loan … from Gaaahhhd, Limbaugh became the singular voice of the right, an unabashed partisan who rooted for the GOP but stuck by his conservative bona fides. His show soared during the Clinton years but also managed to hang tough during the Bush administration, baffling critics who thought he could only thrive when a Democrat called the White House home.
Stern? He revolutionized talk radio, period. He broke open the format by letting producers, engineers, and even janitors on the air with him, and he routinely talked past commercial breaks when he and his crack team were on a roll. His content innovations, from wacky “Dial-a-Date” segments to his “man on the street” quizzes, ultimately bled over to The Tonight Show and other outlets.
I honestly do NOT see how anyone could listen to Howard Stern! But, then again a Stern fan would be stating, how could anyone listen to Limbaugh. Interesting world we live in, is it not???
Good article. I never could stand Stern. He epitomized the worst and most shallow trends of the 90′s. I still listen to Rush once in a while but his biggest problem, for me anyway, is that on a lot of outlets his program is now about 1/2 program and 1/2 advertising. That’s the breaking point where I say it’s not worth my time any more.
On another note, it’s going to be interesting seeing if this article draws a bunch of left-wing trolls. I bet it does.
Well, you can only watch some sagging geriatric bimbo mount a Sybian a few times before it gets kinda dated… Howard was cute once, but Rush is serious. I don’t always agree with him, but he is thought provoking. And now we have Beck.
Stern is a vulgar boor. And a schmuck.
Go Rush ! You are the light in the darkness.
Maybe, the biggest difference is that Stern is obviously a voice for evil. Sure, an argument can probably be made about his contributions to radio. A real pinhead argument might hinge around his wielding of Freedom of Speech – making it even more accessible, and defying censorship, etc. But let’s face it, Howard Stern has only done one thing, and that is contribute to the vileness that seeks to overthrow American culture, and sensibility. Indeed, we are so overthrown that it is part of our culture now.
Re Rush L. – Here is a succinct summary of the discourse shaped in my home which is comprised of two registered Republicans: “turn that blowhard off.” And we two middle-aged Midwest Republicans in the very traditional occupations of farming and teaching enjoy Howard Stern. He makes us laugh and that is a priceless commodity. Rush Limbaugh, with his table pounding and rustling of papers, reminds us of a latter-day Foghorn Leghorn. “I say, I say…”
When Stern began on the radio, I listened a few times, but was not impressed. His supporters are legion, however. They always say the same thing: “He’s a really smart guy!”
Really? How would you know, judging by what he talks about on his show?
I used to sit out in the middle of DFW Airport between 11 pm and 4 am co-ordinating construction activity from my pick up truck. In those days I could hear Rush on WFAA by delayed broadcast. I loved him from the start and still catch his program everyday. No one is like him . And he has had a significant impact on American political thinking.
God Bless you Rush Limbaugh.
No mention is made of the disgust Stern arouses in people not obsessively preoccupied with fulfilling gross and sick sexual appetites and fantasies. I think we have here another case of moral relativism: Some people prefer Limbaugh, others Stern. The reality is Limbaugh deals with ideals and principles and Stern wallows in porn.
Stern is honest. Limbaugh hides things.
3. wGraves:
Well, you can only watch some sagging geriatric bimbo mount a Sybian a few times before it gets kinda dated… Howard was cute once, but Rush is serious. I don’t always agree with him, but he is thought provoking. And now we have Beck.
WTH are you talking about? “mount a Sybian”?
As for Beck, he’s a tax cheat.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31245.html
It’s inevitable. And there’s more, lots more on the way.
Skeeziks: Google it if you like. I can’t post it, it’s inappropriate, and would violate the rules.
#7 Jean: good thoughts. As for Rush, he’s all about the ratings. The more he spouts off and the more people worship at his feet, the more I get reminded of Pavlov’s dog experiments (you know, dogs slobber when they hear something).
Rush is a low brow entertainer and nothing more. If you want conservative rhetoric that is usually backed by good research, check out Bill O’Reilly on Fox. I don’t agree with everything he says, but he is seldom guilty of not doing his homework. He can also disagree with people and their positions without insulting them.
Both are amazing broadcasters. Unique and compelling.
Howard USED TO be more outwardly conservative. Prior to 2004, he sounded very pro law & order, and very supportive of the war against America’s enemies. Unfortunately, when the FCC began flexing it’s threats after Janet Jackson, it was too much for Howard. They’d been threatening him and his approach to edgy radio.
When Howard jumped over to Sirius, and was suddenly free to say and do anything he pleased, he was still stuck on his anti-FCC/Bush tirade. I’m sure he felt that it would’ve cost him listeners had he backed down at that time. I think in his entire career, this is the only real time I’ve heard him sound insincere or dishonest about his true politics.
After 2004, Howards anti-Bush rants felt incongruous and insincere. As a commuter, I found myself flipping away from Sirius and hangin’ with El Rushbo more and more. What I can say is that having been a Rush fan since he first appeared on national radio, he has consistently maintained his edge and his domination over talk radio. Like a river, he continues to forge onward and cuts his own path, showing no signs of slowing down. Howard’s problem is that since he publicly backed Obama, he must use up much his broadcaster capital and resources supporting an administration that he doesn’t truly agree with, and it becomes way easier for him to lean on Richard and Sal for cutting edge bits. It’s possible that he is becoming overwhelmed.
With his 5yr Sirius contract coming to an end soon, it will be interesting to see how Howard reinvents himself regarding radio. But whatever he does, he has provided me with thousands of hours of laughing and wondering at how he can spontaneously conjure up such incredibly funny bits. I will always regard him as a radio icon. However, he seems to have been heading towards the place where I think of him in the same light as The Grateful Dead… great back then, but over.
At least with Rush, his claim still holds true with no sign of weakening… “The cutting edge of societal evolution”… How cool would it be if Rush started having conservative strippers on every once in a while? Dial a date with nude Palin lookalikes? For those of you in Rio Linda,
that means “just goofin’ with you”.
With Rush or Howard, i’d be forced to listen to today’s crappy music offerings… none of which can compete with the creativity and genius we were blessed with during the 60′s & 70′s.
Viva killer talk radio!
13. wGraves:
Skeeziks: Google it if you like. I can’t post it, it’s inappropriate, and would violate the rules.
Well! The things you conservatives are into! Perhaps you should consult with Laura Ingraham on the pornification of America. Though she is a regular on Fox News, which is litle more than a bimbo parade. Either way, I think you need a new hobby.
That last paragraph should have read… WITHOUT Rush or Howard…. Sorry. Itchy return finger.
That last line should have read “WITHOUT Rush or Howard…”
Sorry, Itchy return finger.
#12 skeeziks,
that’s all you got on Beck? reading the politico piece seems to me Beck pays up pretty promptly when issues pop up.
He runs a business and most businesses will from time to time have tax issues..
The difference is Beck seems to pay his share rather promptly unlike many others who only pay when their actions are spotlighted and brought under the glare of the public scrutiny…
Your comparison is very lame at the least… pathetic really…
I am so culturally illiterate that in the last 20 years I have spent less than five hours total listening to either of them, although I have heard Rush requoted many many times and I saw William Shatner’s interview with him which was entertaining.
Rush is not good for my blood pressure, so I take my pills and avoid listening.
#12 Skeeziks
“As for Beck, he’s a tax cheat.”
Really. If that’s true, doesn’t it qualify Beck to be
Obama’s Treasury Secretary?
#12…leave it to a liberal troll to blow something out of context..
The errors of his accounting firm were rectified immediately…not years later..and they didn’t try to cover them up.
You sould like jharp with a new name…more to come..much more..blahblahblah…
BTW…Stern is no star..he’s an over the hill hot air balloon. Just rhetoric and hot air. If he was 80 and offered substance, he would be worth listening to, but he doesn’t.
Rush gives us things to think about and facts about what our government is up to. Without the Rush and Beck’s of this nation…we would be completely taken over by crap by now from Obama’s backroom dealings.
Beck is the best so far. i like the fact that he takes on the Obamaites..and gives us facts to check on what he has shown us. Facts to check..you heard it..
O’Rieley seems to want to overtalk everyone and he panders to Obama lately, don’t like it. Hannity…well, he’s a sweet guy…
#12 Skeeziks: WTH are you talking about? “mount a Sybian”?
This is one of those things where you either know what the slang is, or you don’t. I recently heard P.J. O’Rourke on NPR, on the comic quiz show “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” and he didn’t know what WTF meant. Try googling Sybian and porn star together (do this at home, without your children present, and don’t blame me if you’re offended by the pornography you find as a result). I’ve never understood why Stern does this sort of thing on the radio, because nothing can be seen…you’d think it would be sort of counterproductive. Whatever, I never really cared. I don’t listen to Rush any more either…
#7 Jean say: “Here is a succinct summary of the discourse shaped in my home which is comprised of two registered Republicans: “turn that blowhard off.” And we two middle-aged Midwest Republicans in the very traditional occupations of farming and teaching enjoy Howard Stern.”
Very interesting, Jean. My “lady” and I are staunch progressives and have been for years. Whenever President Obama is speaking on TV, in other words every day, I tell my lady, Ms Snarky Doucher[say doo SHAY], “Turn off that liar and blow-hard and tune the radio to Limbaugh.”
SIMPLE ENOUGH
Perfect choice of name. You definitely are simple. Stern is a recycled concom. That should appeal to all you liberals.
Christian Toto: the reason he had a heart scare was most likely he took one viagra too many!!! or may be pain killers!! or both! it is hot!!
BTW: do you know why Rush travels to czchec republic and returns with a bottle of Viagra that is to someone else’s name? I think rush is yag back wards!!!
Howard Stern is fast food, one note & loud in flavor, very salty & sweet at once & very fattening; however, Rush Limbaugh is the prime rib from Shula’s or another expensive restaurant; Limbaugh has many layers of taste with just one bite. Limbaugh is a glass of sweet iced tea & a diverse garden salad with your favorite homemade dressing. Limbaugh is the succulant desert to a wonderful aural meal. Howard Stern is no comparison to Rush Limbaugh.
26. carla:
concom? Is that anything like a Sybian? What kind of perversions are you people indulging in? Seriously. Is this what you do when you’re not protesting. Maybe that whole “tea bagger” name is more appropriate than we know.
And Beck? So he’s fine for tax avoidance, pays his taxes due, and he’s fine? Sounds the same as Geithner or Daschle to me. Unless you’re fondling that double standard around here.
If Geithner and Daschel are tax cheats, Beck’s a tax cheat. Worry, facts it facts.
Thankfully, my radio offers me more selections than these two idiots. And an off switch when nothing entertaining is on.
Limbaugh vs. Stern… To hell with BOTH of them!… How about Dr. Michael Savage?
I am more of a Bob Grant and Michael Savage fan than a Rush fan. As for Stern, I have listened to him since the 80′s. Back then, he seemed more of a right-of-center libertarian, an outcast railing against the hypocracy of hollywood morons and celebutards. There was always that pornographic, crude element to his show, to appeal to the low-IQ horndogs in his audience, but for those of intelligence, he proved to be a compelling interviewer and his honesty was refreshing. Somewhere along the way, he jumped the shark, sometime in the 00′s, after he divorced his wife, and became “Hollywood Howie” with a model wife and a house in the Hamptons, becoming the very celebutard he used to disparage. His politics also changed, and now he is a shill for the democratic party. Every left wing idea from Global Warming to 9/11 conspiracies to Bush derangement is given as the truth, and he berates anyone on his show whose views are conservative. I only listen these days to hear his interviews and the bits done by his staff (Artie Lang and Sal&Richard) which are hysterical.
Here are some facts Stern brought over 6 million subscribers at $13 a month that’s a billion dollars in revenue before even selling ads.Yes a BILLION.
During Sterns heyday he had 18 million listeners in the top fifty markets and was #1 or #2 in his market in morning drive thats 360,000 per station and has sold more ad revenue than any other show other than MASH and GUN SMOKE.
Limbaugh has 12 million listeners on 600 stations that’s 22,000 per station and his ad revenue pales in comparison cause so many of his listeners are in very small markets, in NYC for example he is #6 in the number one market.
So you can enjoy Limbaugh fine enough but he is not honest with his audience and hides his actual lifestyle.
Stern is doing what he wants as does not care about ratings and his influence, if Stern came back to terrestrial radio don’t think that for a minute that he would take his spot as the # 1 listened to show again.
Stern earns $100 million a year.
Limbaugh $50 million a year.
Each man gets paid what they are worth.
And Beck? So he’s fine for tax avoidance, pays his taxes due, and he’s fine? Sounds the same as Geithner or Daschle to me. Unless you’re fondling that double standard around here.
If Geithner and Daschel are tax cheats, Beck’s a tax cheat. Worry, facts it facts.
Carla … why are you having trouble distinguishing between personal taxes with turbo tax timmy and Daschel vs Becks corporate taxes. As well as the fact that beck’s group works with the IRS to correct any problems instead of only paying those taxes when up for public office. I thought you libs were good at recognizing nuance
That’s funny. I’m a leftist radical, and I love Rush Limbaugh! My fellow leftists lack honesty and intellectual toughness. Rush is a real man.
SIMPLE ENOUGH
Better a tea bagger than a douche bag, twerp.
both radio guys had their time in the sun, but now, while still comanding lg audience, they are both past usefulnes or interest for anyone but the dediacated fan.
I listen to all 3: Stern, Beck and Rush although much less to Rush since I bought a satellite radio. They are vastly different personalities and do different things. No one was harder on the 9/11 terrorists than Howard. Rush uses comedy, you might not like it but that is what it is, to hammer perceived flaws in democrats and does not make any bones about where he stands but also never endorses a candidate. Beck is a populist and uses that to go after everyone on all sides that do things he does not think is right for America as a whole.
I have heard Howard talk about Rush a couple of times and he disagrees with him but I don’t think he actively dislikes him. I’ve heard Rush talk about Howard once and that was in response to a question by a caller. Rush commended Howard on his popularity and success and that was about it. I don’t recall Beck really saying much about either although he probably has.
I read the tax story on Beck. The difference here, to me, is that Beck is trying to run a business and makes mistakes. When they are found he immediately corrects them. Beck also is not in public service. The person in charge of the IRS should at least know what the tax code is and should not let his mistakes go on for years until someone finds them or he/she is nominated for a public office. This points to the overly complex tax code than to anything. Can you make a better argument for revising the tax code than that the person in charge can’t even understand it?
Howard, Beck and Rush go after far different audiences and are all successful in doing so. Comparing them is difficult as they do different things. With Howard I get the feeling its more of an act. Rush is a conservative and believes that and Beck, in between bouts of crying, is Beck.
I’ve always found Howard Stern smply to be an obnoxious bore. His schtick, once considered so shocking and transgressive, became a lame joke even before he signed on with Sirius. Stern’s appeal has always been to twelve-year old bullies and men with a lot of twelve-year old bully in them. His abuse of marginal types such as ditzy hookers, strippers and others has always struck me as the acme of genuine cruelty and inhumanity. Stern is only poliical when there is already blood on the floor and taking part in the kill is perfectly safe. Well – It’s as Churchill said – “When you hae a great deal of free speech you are bound to have a certain amount of foolish shpepch.”
Stern is now on WCCC, the producer of Beethoven Radio on the internet. They are running ads on Beethoven for WCCC’s new Stern morning show. One ad has a soundbite asking why people “Invite a cookie addicted, morbidly obese pedophile into their homes on Christmas?” Regardless of what you think of Santa Claus, who on a classical music station would be attracted by an ad like that? What are they thinking? I agree that Stern has talent, but what good is it if it is used like this?
I have never cared for Howard Stern…never really thought that he was particularly bright. It’s all about shock value. I listen to Mark Levin for his intelligent and informed facts. I listen to Rush Limbaugh because he speaks for and to the average American and could not care less what people think of him. I listen to Michael Savage because he dares to speak the truth (at least, they way I see it) and gets blasted for it, yet continues on.
If I had to choose between all three, I would go for Rush.
First of all rush and howard have identical problems, there discourse as of late is nothing more than prefabricated capricious atrophied. With a rhetorical tautology filled apperception. And as for their salaries I would only give those over rated eolian epiphenomenons a twenty dollar an hour gig, and if they dont like it. They could always get a job sweeping the floors at NPR………..