shock jocks news stories on Newser

Post-Fluke Limbaugh Ratings Plunge

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:24:40 CDT

Rush Limbaugh's ratings took a hit in certain key markets last month after the Sandra Fluke "slut" controversy , reports Politico . The shock jock's rating's fell 27% in the vital 25-54 demo in New York City, 40% in Seattle-Tacoma, 35% in Jacksonville, and 31% in Houston-Galveston. "Clearly Sandra Fluke isn't the...

In Defense of Rush

Neal Colgrass — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:05:40 CDT

Rush Limbaugh doesn't have many defenders these days, but Paul Theroux is crying foul over the reaction to Limbaugh's now-infamous "slut" remark . Sure, the shock jock's dismissal of Sandra Fluke was "offensive hyperbole," and "odd for the man whose idea of a good time is a week in the Dominican...

Imus in Talks With Fox Business

Harry Kimball — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:52:55 CDT

Don Imus is negotiating with Fox Business to broadcast a video simulcast of his morning talk show, the Los Angeles Times reports. Imus had a simulcast deal with MSNBC when his radio show was on CBS, before he referred to the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.” He now...

Beneath the Growl, Michael Savage Is a Softie

Caroline Miller — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:57:02 CDT

Michael Savage is on a roll: First the Brits take him off the "hate promoters" list that had him banned from the country, and now Kelefa Sanneh has an affectionate profile of the heretical conservative shock jock in the New Yorker . The toxic soundbites that emerge from Savage's show, and...

Waterboarded Shock Jock Mancow: 'Absolutely Torture'

Harry Kimball — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:42:25 CDT

A Chicago radio host submitted himself to a waterboarding demonstration to prove it isn’t torture, but it didn’t work out that way, NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV reports. “Way worse than I thought it would be, and that’s no joke,” Erich “Mancow” Muller said. “I don’t want to say this: absolutely torture....

Howard Stern Gets Hitched

Rob Quinn — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:56:35 CDT

Howard Stern and Beth Ostrovsky tied the knot at a star-studded wedding in Manhattan last night. Billy Joel serenaded the pair, actor—and minister—Mark Consuelos officiated, and Chevy Chase delivered a saucy toast. The shock jock "was the antithesis of his public figure," a source told Newsday . "He demonstrated...

I Was Being Sarcastic, Not Racist: Imus

Kevin Spak — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:00 CDT

Don Imus was just making a “sarcastic point” when he asked “what color” oft-arrested cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones is, he said on his show today. When informed that Jones was black, Imus replied, “There you go. Now we know.” The rejoinder sparked complaints against the reformed shock jock, but Imus...

Raunchy Stern Prank Enrages Dolly

Rob Quinn — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:24:45 CDT

Dolly Parton has become the latest victim of a Howard Stern audio mashup and the country legend is livid, reports E! Online. The shock jock and his henchmen chopped up and remixed Parton quotes to make it sound as if she was spewing out raunchy and racist remarks. The fuming...

Stern Sidekick Quits on Air After Fight

Kevin Spak — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:52:48 CDT

Longtime Howard Stern sidekick Artie Lange walked off the show Thursday after an intense on-air shouting match with his personal assistant, Newsday reports. Lange tried to physically attack the assistant but was held back by studio members. Soon afterward Lange resigned, saying he couldn’t promise he wouldn’t act that way...