Imus vs Stern

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I was listening to Howard Stern bitch about Don Imus again this morning (American radio -- sorry to anyone outside the States), and this seemed as innocuous a topic as any. So, here's a totally unneccesary post that at least is NOT about how much everyone at Literotica sucks...

I listend to Imus waaaaaay back in the late 70s early 80s when he was damn funny. Then I listened to Stern when he first got to WNBC, when he was damn funny. Now they've both settled into cranky versions of themselves, neither one really trying that hard. But I think I'm starting to prefer Imus again.

Stern can't seem to stop talking about the day to day operations of his own show and is caught in this self-hatred causality loop (something that happens every time someone posts another "Here's what I think is wrong with Literotica" thread). And when he can bring hismelf to stop bashing Gary or chewing out Fred or complaining about his notes every other word out of his mouth is "anal." I've had it, I think. Not because he's so puerile, but because when he is good he's very good, and it makes me realize how much he's phoning it in the rest of the time. When Stern interviews there's no one better, and when he's got a non-porn queen as a guest he can be great. If Shatner or Duchovny is on I'm happy to sit in traffic and listen to a good hour's worth.

As for Imus I've been listening to him again, and as a non-sports fanatic I find his show to be frequently dull as dirt, but I like the politcal platform he's created, and his bits (Howard hates "bits") are genuinely funny.

Still, I wish they were both as good as they were 20 some years ago. Or maybe they just seemed better because I was younger and radio was more restrictive and the whole thing just seemed "cooler".

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

Found something(mostly) that we agree on.

However (as per usual) I see something different. I find one large, basic distinction between the two - Imus is a closeted hypocrite and big headed - while Howie basically remains true to himself and rather humble. Howard is what he is - Howard is what he has always been. Imus's radio personality is long derived and haphazardly thrown together. Imus has only relatively recently become what he is today. Imus for good or for bad is not anything like he used to be. In short he's a pretender, he's created himself (no nothing wrong with that) into some sort of quasi-political expert with virtually no relative, career documented, expertise. Rush, as much as I disagree with nearly everything he has to say - has more documented credibility. Liddy - same thing. Imus only had a rather juvenile (not to say that Howard's crap is not) early 60's disc jockey thing going on. And it's been widely reported about his star head - he was and remains - a big pain in the ass. I happen to be in the business here in NYC and I can tell you - everybody that works for him (nobody works "with" him) hates his guts. So as mundane and boring they have both become - Howard is the more likeable guy.

Simply my opinion.

 

[Expertise]

Either/Or

When I am in your fair country it boils down to two choices for morning radio Imus or Stern. That decision is based on my desire. If it is a desire to be entertained...Stern. If it is a desire to be informed (albeit information tainted with his personal view) Imus.

 

[Bliss]

Definitely prefer Stern over Imus. I'm not old enough to know the full body of Imus's work and he seems more self righteous, if it's possible for someone to have a bigger ego than Stern.

Stern's movie made him seem more human, his intelligence and real wit shone through despite the constant self ego stroking.

I suppose this means you aren't tuning into Danny Bonaduce's gabfest?

I prefer listening to someone who makes me ponder... about something other than changing the channel. When I did have to commute, I preferred listening to something silly, like the JohnBoy & Billy show.

Listening to people curse each other's politcal opinions etc. isn't a good way to start the day. I prefer to be in as good a mood as possible to deal with each week's headaches.

Now, if someone could just convince Johnny to return to The Tonight Show, all would be right in the universe!

 

[Cheri]

Hate them both. If I hear one more thing about Imus's fucking ranch I will walk out to New Mexico and kick his brother's ass. I mean honestly having to hear both him and his brother drone on and on makes me irate. And if his voice isn't bad enough, the pompus self-inflated crap spilling out of it sets me off even more. As for Howard, I really do love him. Honestly before seeing Private Parts, (and later reading the book) every time I heard him I wondered why in gods name did they let this man with the mentality of a horny obnoxious 14 year old in the radio business. But at least he was funny, now I don't think so as much. He'll always be smart and clever but lately he hasn't shock or surprised me as much. I don't even like Bob and Tom as much since they went into syndication. So now I'm forced to listen to local shtick which is most times stupid and amateurish but at least honest. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I totally agree about Johnny!

I have listened to Jamie and Danny (and I STILL don't know what happened to Frosty, Frank and Heidi -- any idea?), and the dumbed-down gab can be annoying (though I think Bonadcuce is fairly quick witted, and might do well on a Politically Incorrect type of formatted show).

I haven't made up my mind about Imus' show yet, though I'm sure he's an asshole, personally. (I actually did some small amount of freelance writing at WNBC when both Imus and Stern were on, and I heard a lot about both of them.)

 

[Wizard]

DCL, I agree also. I started listening to Stern when I traveled all over the US cause I could get him just about anywhere...........I was a die hard fan of years........I am just about to the point where I can't stand him same thing as you, I think he past the peak and is now on the down hill side. I too am tried of hearing about his failed marrage...and how much everone that works there is a fuck up........
You know who I miss..............The grease man.....I like him.....I thought he was one funny dude.........

 

[*Eve*]

DCL you Suck!!!!

Sorry couldn't resist.


Anyway, I think that Howard Stern is so no funny anymore. He use to be until he declared himself the king of all media and then his head got to big. With all the dirty laundry he aired about his family, it's a wonder his wife didn't leave him sooner.
Imus, is boring. The one show that I bothered to listen to, I feel asleep.
I love the Russ Parr morning show. I'm not sure how many cities it's in now, but although it's a targeted black audience, it is funny as hell and I think most people would like it.

 

[Siren]

DITTO DCL.........

 

[Skibum]

I like the Imus show, when I bother to listen to it. I have only heard Stern a couple of times, and he was pretty funny, but pretty juvenile about it.