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Howard Stern Opts For Show Return Prank Amid Cancellation Rumors
Howard Stern has been at the center of cancellation speculations for weeks following claims that his relationship with SiriusXM is ending.
Howard Stern proved his comedic side hasn’t diminished in his highly anticipated comeback show.
The media personality returned to his eponymous radio program on Monday, September 8, days after postponing his initial September 2 appearance. Fans tuned in expecting him to address the cancellation rumors; however, they were in for a shock.
Howard Stern has been at the center of cancellation speculations for weeks following claims that his relationship with SiriusXM is ending. However, other sources have accused him of spreading the rumors to regain lost fans following a significant decline in listeners.
‘The Howard Stern Show’ Returns With A Fake Host
Listeners were stunned when the highly anticipated return of “The Howard Stern Show” kicked off with a familiar voice at the helm. “This is not the voice that you probably wanted to hear, but it is I, Andy Cohen, and this is our first day broadcasting on Andy 100,” Bravo’s Andy Cohen teased fans.
He delivered a convincing performance, convincingly pretending to be nervous and winging it as he pitched the idea of taking over Stern’s program to listeners. Cohen claimed there was meant to be a proper hand-off, but things hadn’t panned out the way anyone expected.
Cohen, per TMZ, did not break character even after an angry listener aired their grievances over his sudden appearance. After upsetting several listeners, Stern and his pal Robin Quivers finally revealed that the whole takeover stint was a joke.
The Radio Personality Addressed The Cancellation Rumors
As fans expected when they tuned in for the show, Stern finally broke his silence on the cancellation rumors. He did not go into great detail about the issue but stressed that he and his team were working with SiriusXM showrunners to find the best way forward.
Stern confessed that he and his team had used the cancellation speculations to prepare an exciting return for fans and assured them he had no issues with the broadcasting company. He also addressed his September 2 absence, revealing he was ill.
The radio personality was scheduled to return last Tuesday, but cancelled last minute. Stern explained he had no choice because he was down with a severe sickness that he had yet to overcome. As for the future of his show, his words implied that a cancellation may not happen.
Sources Claimed SiriusXM & The Host Didn’t See Eye-to-Eye
The cancellation rumors went viral last month, with The Blast reporting that sources claimed Stern’s relationship with SiriusXM was ending after 20 years. They explained that his contract with the company would conclude in the Fall; however, a renewal seemed unlikely due to their differences.
Sources alleged Stern and the company did not see eye-to-eye on his salary, noting they could not afford the sum he most likely expected. One source claimed the media personality was “no longer worth the investment,“ comparing the possible cancellation to Stephen Colbert’s issues with CBS.
The network cancelled the TV personality’s late-night talk show in July, citing financial reasons. However, the decision followed Colbert’s attacks on the parent company’s million-dollar settlement with Donald Trump.
The source implied Stern was getting cancelled for similar reasons, given his past criticisms of the president.
The Speculations Were Allegedly A ‘Desperate Hoax’
Ahead of his comeback show, The Blast shared that an insider had accused Stern and his team of orchestrating the cancellation rumors to make him “relevant again.“ They claimed the speculations were a “desperate hoax“ to boost his ratings after he lost several listeners.
Earlier reports claimed that the number of people listening to Stern’s show had reduced from around 20 million daily to 125,000. The source noted the radio host had no one to blame but himself for the poor ratings because he alienated MAGA supporters with his Trump criticisms.
Stern reportedly told Trump fans he didn’t want them listening to his show, but regretted his decision after his ratings plummeted. On that note, the source claimed his comeback show was “a mea culpa to get the audience that he alienated back to listening to him.”
Howard Stern’s Former Employee Weighed In On The Drama
Stern’s former employee, Steve Grillo, echoed similar sentiments to the source about the cancellation rumors. The Blast covered the story, reporting that the ex-staffer believed fans would tune in for the comeback show only to leave disappointed.
Grillo claimed Stern’s old self would be disappointed by the man he has become, noting he no longer had what it took to captivate audiences like he used to. He also slammed his former boss for losing fans with his MAGA hate.
“People cared about what he said every single day, and then he turns on them… What kind of arrogance and stupidity is that?“ Grillo wondered. He stressed that Stern could have handled his political stance differently instead of alienating listeners and attempting to win them over with cancellation rumors.
Billy Porter’s Broadway Return Cut Short Due To Serious Health Scare
Billy Porter is facing another health crisis four years after reflecting on the most tumultuous time in his life.
Billy Porter is facing another health crisis four years after reflecting on the most tumultuous time in his life.
Due to health complications, the Broadway icon will not be completing his stint on “Cabaret” at the Kit Kat Club. Showrunners confirmed the news on Sunday, September 7, revealing doctors had advised the entertainer to rest.
Billy Porter’s health scare comes two years after separating from his longtime spouse, Adam Smith. The same-sex couple were married for six years and did not welcome any children before their 2023 split.
Billy Porter’s ‘Cabaret‘ Gig Ends Due To Sepsis
According to the Kit Kat Club’s announcement on X, Porter’s days as Emcee on the Broadway revival of “Cabaret“ have ended. They explained the actor could not complete his stint on the show “due to a serious case of sepsis.”
The show was slated to end on October 21; however, Porter’s absence has pushed the final performance to September 21. “His doctors are confident that he will make a full recovery, but have advised him to maintain a restful schedule,“ the producers’ message read.
They added that Porter would be replaced by Marty Lauter and David Merino, who will perform the iconic role for the final two weeks, respectively. Naturally, the news broke fans’ hearts, but they understood the entertainer needed to prioritize his health, given his condition.
The Health Scare Comes Four Years After The Broadway Star’s HIV Confession
Porter’s sepsis update came four years after he reflected on the most tumultuous time of his life in an emotional interview. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2021, he revealed he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2007.
A month later, Porter signed bankruptcy papers, and by June, he was diagnosed HIV-positive. He recalled the traumatic moment, noting he was forced to visit the hospital after a pimple on his butt kept growing until it became unbearable.
Porter decided to get his usual HIV test done at the same time; however, he did not receive the news he wanted. “The doctor came back and looked at me. I was like, ‘What?‘ He sat down, and I was like, ‘No. Nooo.‘ And he said, ‘Your test came back positive,‘” he recalled.
Why The Gay Icon Stayed Silent About His Diagnosis
Porter noted the news was a lot to take in because he grew up in the Pentecostal church with a very religious family, where HIV was seen as God’s punishment.
He kept his mother in the dark about his diagnosis but told those he deemed worthy of knowing, as he feared the repercussions of a public announcement.
The TV personality explained that he had been struggling to build a life and a career in an industry that wasn’t kind to people. “It would just be another way for people to discriminate against me in an already discriminatory profession,“ he said about his HIV-positive diagnosis.
Although he stayed silent for years, Porter tried to raise awareness about his condition and change the negative perception surrounding it through the “Pose“ series. He played the HIV-positive character Pray Tell on the show, noting he could say everything he ever wanted to share through the role.
The TV Personality Rejoined The Dating Pool After His Divorce
Porter and his longtime husband, Smith, separated two years after his emotional confession. The Blast shared that they announced their breakup in July 2023, with a rep for the actor claiming the split “was an amicable and mutual one that was made after much consideration.”
Three months later, Porter attended a cancer charity event at Cipriani Wall Street and told reporters he had rejoined the dating pool. He claimed he was “dating around;” however, he wasn’t going out of his way to find a new partner.
“They got to peep me. They got to take care of me, honey,” Porter declared. He echoed similar sentiments in August, claiming he was back on the market and looking for “an English huzzzband.” He was married to Smith for six years, tying the knot in January 2017.
Billy Porter Allegedly Lost His Met Gala Invite For Crossing Anna Wintour
The same year his marriage to Smith ended, The Blast shared that Porter had clashed with Anna Wintour over Vogue’s fashion choices. The drama began after Harry Styles graced the magazine’s cover in a dress, promoting gender fluidity.
Porter believed Styles made the cover because he was white and straight, allowing Vogue to promote itself using the non-binary movement without “having to sacrifice anything.” He slammed their actions and bluntly called Wintour “a b-tch.”
Sources claimed his words earned him a ban from the prestigious Met Gala, noting his status as a fashion sensation did not stop several designers from turning their backs on him. They noted these influential figures supported Wintour, who had a higher reputation.