Lucille Ball
Even though we weren't supposed to, I used to listen to the Stern show on my headset while I walked my route reading meters for PG&E.
This was during the days of Billy West, when the show was much better in my opinion. Howard also seemed to be a little more, hmmm, heartless?? back then. Don't get me wrong, I think Howard is a genius at what he does, and I have commited quite a bit of money into Sirius ONLY because of Howard. But I liked him better when he was edgier, who knows, maybe Sirius will bring out the old badboy in him again.
That said, I can only think of one bit that he did that made me cringe when I was listening to it during my meter reading years. Even though it was many years ago, I can still remember where I was walking during my route when he called up Lucille Ball on her death bed. First of all I couldn't believe how easy it was for him to get through to someone so famous. Apparently if you know which hospital a star is staying at, you just call the front desk and ask to be transferred, or so it seems.
Howard started off talking to her normally, then he slowly brought it into bad taste bizarro world. I'll never forget her sad, oddly half moan, half cry when Howard told Lucy that she was going to meet Ricky real soon. (She died within days of the interview) He kept mentioning to her that she was about to go see Fred, and Ethel real soon. Every time that Howard mentioned their names, she would let out that long moan, while she repeated their names. It was the ONLY time that I think he went too far. But just like seeing a car wreck, I wouldn't have missed hearing it for the world.
I have NEVER heard this aired again anywhere, it's like it never happened. But as far as compelling radio, it was Howard at his best. He might not have ever aired it again, because it was like listening to the screams of a puppy being tortured to death.
Anybody else remember that interview. Your feelings?
-fin
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