Hank, what was your question to Artie gonna be?

[Jgatie]

The call that I eagerly await and will LOL at Hank for, is the one where he tells Howard he lost his job cuz they saw he was on the phone for hours every day.

I'm pretty sure he's got his cell rigged up to his drive-thru headset so the shift manager won't notice. That Hank's a cleverer one.

"Welcome to Arby's, I'll be with you in a minute . . . Hey Imus, where's your cowboy hat? . . . Thanks for waiting, may I take your order?"

 

[AJ_II]

I'm pretty sure he's got his cell rigged up to his drive-thru headset so the shift manager won't notice. That Hank's a cleverer one.

"Welcome to Arby's, I'll be with you in a minute . . . Hey Imus, where's your cowboy hat? . . . Thanks for waiting, may I take your order?"

Hank, if you really do work at Arby's, could you get me some free Chicken Cordon Bleu coupons!?! I love those fuckin things.

 

[TheScionicMan]

Beth loves Arby's for the Horsey Sauce...

 

[Ifandorbut]

If this forum existed in the 80's we'd have threads like "Oh Great, Kinison again?!?" and "More Stuttering John interviews?" or maybe "Lay off Chevy already"...

No, the "alleged" dislike of Howard is the charm. If it was Eric from Hoboken fumbling around, there'd be 3 extra bitch threads about it...

The call that I eagerly await and will LOL at Hank for, is the one where he tells Howard he lost his job cuz they saw he was on the phone for hours every day.

I don't agree. Howard's knack for going straight for the jugular was what drew me to him in the first place. I loved it when he kept going after celebrities that didn't like him. However, I didn't like hearing Kinison as much as he was on, but I didn't mind it all that much either. At least when he was on the show you had the feeling that something strange or memorable could happen. I never really thought he was hilarious. I always found Belzer, Gilbert and Richard Lewis much funnier, or at least I preferred them to Kinison.

People hate Eric from Hoboken because he comes off as nothing more than a shill or a guy tossing Howard softballs for Howard related promotional programming. Hank might not always come off with a funny gem, but his upsetting of the apple cart is more than enough for me. It's a welcome detour away from the conversational cul de sacs the show often stalls into.

I don't give a damn if Hank works at Arby's or if he's running his own business, his phone contributions have resonated with a portion of Howard's listeners and perhaps they've made the King do a few seconds of personal introspection?

Hank has certainly single handedly become the topic of conversation on this board...even his detractors can't stop talking about him.

 

[Jgatie]

I don't give a damn if Hank works at Arby's or if he's running his own business, his phone contributions have resonated with a portion of Howard's listeners and perhaps they've made the King do a few seconds of personal introspection?

Well that certainly conflicts with all the people who say he doesn't care any more. People who don't give a shit and are mailing it in usually don't care too much about introspection. I love the way people write him off as betraying ever fiber of their being and yet they simultaneously think they can save his mortal soul, putting him back on the right track to radio goodness with mighty postings to a forum or a mumbling, stumbling shout out to Imus. Can't have your cake and eat it too, can you?

Hank has certainly single handedly become the topic of conversation on this board...even his detractors can't stop talking about him.

9/11 resonated with a portion of the world's population and dominated the news for months. Doesn't make it a good thing.

 

[hank-the-dwarf]

"Howard do you let the cancer kids clean out the kennels at the NSAL ?"

 

[Ifandorbut]

Well that certainly conflicts with all the people who say he doesn't care any more. People who don't give a shit and are mailing it in usually don't care too much about introspection. I love the way people write him off as betraying ever fiber of their being and yet they simultaneously think they can save his mortal soul, putting him back on the right track to radio goodness with mighty postings to a forum or a mumbling, stumbling shout out to Imus. Can't have your cake and eat it too, can you?



9/11 resonated with a portion of the world's population and dominated the news for months. Doesn't make it a good thing.

I don't think those two thoughts to be mutually exclusive. Howard has certainly mailed in chunks of his show, mainly the news segments, for quite some time. There are flashes of the old Howard, the one that sounded like he was having a good time while goofing on the news, but he's changed more into the guy that contributes to the news by disinterestedly exclaiming, "right" or "anything else in the news, Robin?" after he's waited for Robin to stop talking through another news story.

He could also take an innocuous line spoken to him over the phone by a caller to heart. He's often played the passive aggressive card(mockingly I would think)by blowing up a segment if a caller found the segment to be boring. How many times have you heard Howard exclaim to Robin, "Alright, that's it...I'm not going to talk about ________ ever again thanks to this caller". I believe he can take criticisms to heart, though I don't think for one second that he finds Beth unattractive or horsey faced. I don't think Hank should have gone there when there was enough fertile ground to be mined where Howard's apathy toward his show could be addressed.

By the way, equating Hank's call with 9/11?....really? If you're willing to make that jump, the touchtone terrorists have won.

Oh yeah...by the, by the way.....what's the point of having cake if you can't eat it, too?

 

[Jgatie]

I don't think those two thoughts to be mutually exclusive. Howard has certainly mailed in chunks of his show, mainly the news segments, for quite some time. There are flashes of the old Howard, the one that sounded like he was having a good time while goofing on the news, but he's changed more into the guy that contributes to the news by disinterestedly exclaiming, "right" or "anything else in the news, Robin?" after he's waited for Robin to stop talking through another news story.

He could also take an innocuous line spoken to him over the phone by a caller to heart. He's often played the passive aggressive card(mockingly I would think)by blowing up a segment if a caller found the segment to be boring. How many times have you heard Howard exclaim to Robin, "Alright, that's it...I'm not going to talk about ________ ever again thanks to this caller". I believe he can take criticisms to heart, though I don't think for one second that he finds Beth unattractive or horsey faced. I don't think Hank should have gone there when there was enough fertile ground to be mined where Howard's apathy toward his show could be addressed.

By the way, equating Hank's call with 9/11?....really? If you're willing to make that jump, the touchtone terrorists have won.

Oh yeah...by the, by the way.....what's the point of having cake if you can't eat it, too?

All opinion, of course. Personally, I think he's letting Hank through because his inept attempts at bagging on Howard are amusing to him. He's clown shoes.

PS - As for equating it with 9/11, of course not. But there are similarities in that certain people see it as a victory, whereas other see it as a lousy interruption in an otherwise enjoyable day.

 

[TheScionicMan]

The Howard "mailing it in" theory is just thrown out there now anytime someone wants to be negative. It's rarely in response to THAT day's news. And there's times when Robin needs to be prompted to continue...

Most of the people still lamenting Fridays are ones who claim they don't like the show the 4 days its on.

I'm sure Hank likes to think he's upsetting the applecart, but they are letting his calls thru, and Howard's picking them up, knowing what his angle will be. (Unless Howard really doesn't pay attention which disproves the Eric from Hoboken conspiracy). Funny how upsetting the apple cart sounds a lot like knocking the balls out of a juggler's hands... Not my kind of humor.

Hank's actions contradict his words. First it was just being on hold while at work anyway, to calling every show he can get a number for day and night, to the point of breaking his cell phone calling in so much. That screams OBSESSED. If he's "not a fan" that's disturbing.

 

[Spokker]

Howard's reactions are the same as any other personality ever hit with a "bababooey" or "Would you lick Howard Stern's balls?"

 

[Ifandorbut]

The Howard "mailing it in" theory is just thrown out there now anytime someone wants to be negative. It's rarely in response to THAT day's news. And there's times when Robin needs to be prompted to continue...

Most of the people still lamenting Fridays are ones who claim they don't like the show the 4 days its on.

I'm sure Hank likes to think he's upsetting the applecart, but they are letting his calls thru, and Howard's picking them up, knowing what his angle will be. (Unless Howard really doesn't pay attention which disproves the Eric from Hoboken conspiracy). Funny how upsetting the apple cart sounds a lot like knocking the balls out of a juggler's hands... Not my kind of humor.

Hank's actions contradict his words. First it was just being on hold while at work anyway, to calling every show he can get a number for day and night, to the point of breaking his cell phone calling in so much. That screams OBSESSED. If he's "not a fan" that's disturbing.

I don't care that he only works four days a week, however I would call him out if he were to say that he's still a "type-A" personality when it comes to his work ethic. I would also prefer a three hour show four days a week that didn't feature a hint of his apathy over a four and a half hour show four days a week where he sounds like he wants to go home prior to the news block.

Perhaps Hank is getting through by lying about what he wants to address to Howard? Perhaps as you have mentioned before, Howard can't remember Hank's name and is only reminded of who he is after Hank has delivered his message(in Beth's case a trojan horse joke)?

I've said if before, Hank's calls have brought something of a balance to the hack promotional calls that make up a big chunk of the show. I'm happy to hear the diversion from time to time. You've got to take the rough with the smooth.

 

[Jgatie]

Sorry, but I don't see the apathy you speak of. He's been saying "anything else Robin" for 20 years. The news went well past 11 Thursday and Artie, Fred and Howard were on fire. Similar to the clowns who swear they hear commercials for their entire 20 minute commute, I guess you only hear what you want to hear. Sometimes I think the "Hamptons Howie" complaint has more to do with jealous fucks resenting someone making enough money to own a house in the Hamptons, than anything Howard does on the air. They are so consumed with the thought of him leaving for his beach house, they can't think of anything else and miss a great show. I'm pretty sure DLM falls into that catagory, he's more obsessed with Howard's money than Beth.

 

[JHDK]

sorry to not follow the conversation here guys but...

hank, your calls fuckin rock!!! keep it up. this is kinda gay but when i hear ya make your kickass calls i think its cool that i know ya through this site.

keep up the awesome calls man! its cool both when howard plays along saying you get him every day and its also cool when he get a little pissed and says something like 'come up with something new.' dont. keep hammering him with the imus shit, you and your calls are great!!!!!!!!!!

-jhdk

 

[JHDK]

hahahahahahah hey hank i just heard the call you made on wednesdays show! the beth question was killer! pissing howard off is fucking awesome, keep it up! howard is at his best when he gets all angry either at staff, guests, or callers. there are not enough callers who call in to fuck with stern anymore. once again, you hit it out of the park man! great stuff...keep it going!!! i now look forward to your calls.

-jhdk

 

[Ifandorbut]

Sorry, but I don't see the apathy you speak of. He's been saying "anything else Robin" for 20 years. The news went well past 11 Thursday and Artie, Fred and Howard were on fire. Similar to the clowns who swear they hear commercials for their entire 20 minute commute, I guess you only hear what you want to hear. Sometimes I think the "Hamptons Howie" complaint has more to do with jealous fucks resenting someone making enough money to own a house in the Hamptons, than anything Howard does on the air. They are so consumed with the thought of him leaving for his beach house, they can't think of anything else and miss a great show. I'm pretty sure DLM falls into that catagory, he's more obsessed with Howard's money than Beth.

Yes, the Thursday show was certainly a show where he didn't sound as if he had other things that he wanted to do, be they in the Hamptons or at his shrinks office. I certainly don't think I'm uncovering an earth shattering revelation here by pointing out that he generally sounds disinterested in his show come news time. If you can't hear his apathy during that time then I can totally understand why you're not unhappy with that segment of the show. It used to be my favorite part of the show.

But really...you're telling me in all sincerity that you can't hear a change in Howard from when he contributed to Robin's news segment from 1990 to 1995 through to today?

This is off the beaten path, but do you know that part in the Beatles 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer" when Paul almost breaks into a laugh on the line "writing fifty times"? He doesn't quite bust a laugh, but there's certainly an audible smile, a good time or a good vibe, if you will. That. That's what I'm talking about. Howard doesn't sound like he's having a good time, that in turn translates into a bummer segment for me. I can notice it and it bumps me.

I don't really get big laughs from his Ted Kennedy impersonation, but at least when he's doing that he's trying to be funny. I'll give him credit there.

I really am finding that I listen to his show more out of habit than anything else. I get my radio laughs from a series of various podcasts. I also get my in depth interviews from podcasts as well. Like Howard to some degree, I feel like I'm going through the motions in listening to his show these days.

When he retires, I don't feel as if I will miss him, but I sure as hell would love to hear his old shows truly uncensored and without the edits as per Alison's lawyers.

Some people remember Michael Jordan scoring the go-ahead bucket in his last game as a Chicago Bull, on top of his game and on the best team in the league....some people will remember him as a Washington Wizard.

 

[Jgatie]

I hate the fucking Beatles. I actually think Maxwell's Silver Hammer is one of their best songs simply because the Kool-Aid drinking versions of the New Kids on the Block fans circa 1965 hate the song, thinking that xyz made an abc error, thus signifying the end of 6 years of what was essentially pap. IMHO, Ringo was the only one who realized he had to bail, thus we got great songs like Photograph. Me, I like what I like. When I don't like it, I don't fucking dissect it; I simply don't listen. Period.

 

[almaniac27]

I hate the fucking Beatles. I actually think Maxwell's Silver Hammer is one of their best songs simply because the Kool-Aid drinking versions of the New Kids on the Block fans circa 1965 hate the song, thinking that xyz made an abc error, thus signifying the end of 6 years of what was essentially pap. IMHO, Ringo was the only one who realized he had to bail, thus we got great songs like Photograph. Me, I like what I like. When I don't like it, I don't fucking dissect it; I simply don't listen. Period.

You hate the Beatles? Blasphemer!

Most of the "Kool-Aid" fans bailed on the group after they started doing more experimental stuff in the studio and quit touring. I like the post-Help! albums better than their first ones, I think Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Peppers, and Abbey Road are some of the most amazing albums ever made and they stand the test of time. And this comes from a guy whose musical philosophy mostly consists of "if it's popular it must suck".

Anyway, sorry for derailing the thread, get back to arguing over whether Howard is mailing it in or not.

 

[Ifandorbut]

I hate the fucking Beatles. I actually think Maxwell's Silver Hammer is one of their best songs simply because the Kool-Aid drinking versions of the New Kids on the Block fans circa 1965 hate the song, thinking that xyz made an abc error, thus signifying the end of 6 years of what was essentially pap. IMHO, Ringo was the only one who realized he had to bail, thus we got great songs like Photograph. Me, I like what I like. When I don't like it, I don't fucking dissect it; I simply don't listen. Period.

I cannot follow your reasoning for liking Maxwell's Silver Hammer. You like it because you hate the fans of the Beatles from an earlier period?

You like Ringo because Photograph is a great song? A song that was chiefly written by another Beatle, George Harrison?

Off topic to be sure, but an interesting reply and what that sheds a light on all things Jgatie.

 

[Jgatie]

I cannot follow your reasoning for liking Maxwell's Silver Hammer. You like it because you hate the fans of the Beatles from an earlier period?

You like Ringo because Photograph is a great song? A song that was chiefly written by another Beatle, George Harrison?

Off topic to be sure, but an interesting reply and what that sheds a light on all things Jgatie.

I like Maxwell's Silver Hammer because people who were into the Beatles didn't like it. I thought it was brilliantly off-beat and strange, so un-Beatle like. Beatle fans expected Day in the Life, and got a quirky tune about a murderer, and didn't know how to deal with it.

I like Photograph because George wrote it. I also like Here Comes the Sun. They should have let George do more. I personally prefer his solo stuff to either John's or Paul's. Plus, he was a Wilbury. John and Paul could never be Wilburys, too much ego. I always liked Ringo because he's probably the least talented of the group, but he had the balls to piss the rest of them off by going solo first.

But my main complaint about the Beatles is they were basically a pop group with good marketing. They were massively talented, but they were also carefully packaged for mass consumption, unlike my preferred band from the era, The Rolling Stones. My frigging parents liked the Beatles, but my mom wouldn't let a Stones album in the house.

"Controversy" from the Beatles was comparing themselves to Jesus and denying Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds was code for LSD. Meanwhile, the Stones are firing guitarists who then drown, appearing as Satan at Altamont, and writing drug songs with "coded" titles like Sister Morphine. That's not mass consumption, that's a fuck you to society. It's easy to see why I gravitate to that. Plus, they were as talented, if not more talented than the Beatles.

 

[Fergz99]

Yes, the Thursday show was certainly a show where he didn't sound as if he had other things that he wanted to do, be they in the Hamptons or at his shrinks office. I certainly don't think I'm uncovering an earth shattering revelation here by pointing out that he generally sounds disinterested in his show come news time. If you can't hear his apathy during that time then I can totally understand why you're not unhappy with that segment of the show. It used to be my favorite part of the show.

But really...you're telling me in all sincerity that you can't hear a change in Howard from when he contributed to Robin's news segment from 1990 to 1995 through to today?

This is off the beaten path, but do you know that part in the Beatles 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer" when Paul almost breaks into a laugh on the line "writing fifty times"? He doesn't quite bust a laugh, but there's certainly an audible smile, a good time or a good vibe, if you will. That. That's what I'm talking about. Howard doesn't sound like he's having a good time, that in turn translates into a bummer segment for me. I can notice it and it bumps me.

I don't really get big laughs from his Ted Kennedy impersonation, but at least when he's doing that he's trying to be funny. I'll give him credit there.

I really am finding that I listen to his show more out of habit than anything else. I get my radio laughs from a series of various podcasts. I also get my in depth interviews from podcasts as well. Like Howard to some degree, I feel like I'm going through the motions in listening to his show these days.

When he retires, I don't feel as if I will miss him, but I sure as hell would love to hear his old shows truly uncensored and without the edits as per Alison's lawyers.

Some people remember Michael Jordan scoring the go-ahead bucket in his last game as a Chicago Bull, on top of his game and on the best team in the league....some people will remember him as a Washington Wizard.

Packie if you keep pointing out the truth about how Howard has changed and Jgaite will start calling you a pest. Jerry O'Connell was embarrassingly bad radio. He would have been ripped a part by the old Howard, being that P whipped.