A More Rational Explanation
Very confusing indeed, unless you accept a more intelligent answer. Howard Stern is doing what he always does: entertaining. It makes for a more interesting radio show to suggest that there is a conspiracy to rid the world of him. Radio people do this all the time: create a more compelling show to attract more attention and hence, more listeners. As for Bubba The Love Sponge, it’s always better to attribute one’s demise to the most powerful person you can think of because it makes you look more important.
To think that President Bush whispered in Clear Channel’s ear and suggested the removal of Bubba The Love Sponge or Howard Stern is as ludicrous as thinking fines for indecency need to be raised from $27,500 per instance to $500,000 (which is currently being considered by legislators).
In my opinion, Clear Channel’s reasons for removing Stern and Sponge were based on the looming reality that to quell the outcry brought on by the Jackson breast incident, legislators and the F.C.C. finally had no choice but to make an example out of somebody. Clear Channel just happen to be next in line with some violations waiting to be ruled on.
Clear Channel also realized the climate was rapidly changing and it would become harder to support radio shows exhibiting the type of content and behavior suddenly under siege. After all, at the end of the day, Radio is still a business and businesses make decisions to stay in business based on the least amount of friction and the most amount of profit.
Goodbye Sponge, goodbye Stern.
But alas, people love to believe in conspiracies. Why? Because conspiracies eliminate the need for real, fact-based answers. Citing a conspiracy as the culprit is a vague and hollow attempt at explaining something when there is nothing to back up accusations.
So, if you are a fan of Howard Stern, you should know there is little chance he will soon be pulled off-the-air by President Bush or his administration. Besides, Stern has a two-year contract with Viacom and they both make oodles of money for each other.
Bubba The Love Sponge is just a casualty of circumstance: he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
So, believe the conspiracy theories if you wish - and feel free to make up some of your own - but in reality, the answer is possibly more disturbing: a cultural war is underway. This country is split over many issues: gay marriage, how to conduct the war on terror, and indecency on the radio just to name a few.
It’s going to take a lot of shoving back-and-forth to arrive at some new solutions.
