Just as every hero has a nemesis which makes him look especially good because the bad guy is especially bad, so will there be a loss of luster from Stern’s microphone when there is no F.C.C. to enforce the law (read that “harass Stern” in Stern-talk).
There can be no doubt that some of Stern’s success is due directly to the publicity and notoriety he has received during the course of his career from the heavy fines for indecency levied against his show and employers (remember that old Show Business adage: it doesn’t matter what you say, just spell the name right).
And, like the good showman he is, Stern vilified the F.C.C. every time that government agency knocked on his studio door holding out another decision on his show’s content. Poor Howard was always quick to point out he was the victim of an oppressive regulatory agency when all he was trying to do was entertain his listeners and stand on the principles of free speech.
Of course, Stern knows as well as anyone in Radio that there have always been limitations on speech over the public airwaves – beginning with the Communications Act of 1934. But, Stern did have guts to push the boundaries because the ratings and advertising dollars always outweighed the occasional fine – at least in the Pre-Janet Jackson days of Radio.
So, when Howard moves over to SIRIUS, who will be his nemesis? Who or what agency will become outraged and indignant when he says the things Howard says? The restrictions that commercial Radio has to work under do not exist in space.
And if no one is there to call Stern on the carpet in an effort to demonstrate to the world how vulgar and indecent they think he really is, won’t it be just a little less fun?
Indeed it will.
(Continued...)
