Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject: George Takei - Why Howard Stern?
January, 2006 - Why Howard Stern? - by George Takei
(photos at site)
The twists and turns of life can be so unpredictable. The day after New Year's, a phone call suddenly presented an utterly unexpected prospect for me. It was from Gary Dell'Abate, the producer of the Howard Stern Show on the satellite radio network, Sirius.
I had been on the Howard Stern Show many times before - a few times intentionally, but more often, not. The times I went on the Stern Show with purpose were to promote a play I was doing or the publication of my autobiography, "To the Stars." But more frequently, I've been on the show via bandit recordings of phrases I said while on the show - like, "Oh my!" - or a phone conversation with a celebrity imitator with whom I talked, thinking it was the real celebrity - most absurdly, a brief conversation with a rather poor imitator of Ricardo Montalban. Howard Stern has had his fun with me - and his listeners seemed to be having a hilarious good time listening to his mischiefs. The Stern Show technicians even took my voice from the audiocassette version of my autobiography and manipulated the words to make it seem as if I were actually making some outrageously vulgar statements. They say they're doing all this because they love me, but, I must say, I've never been loved in such a bizarre way.
Gary Dell'Abate was calling me, only two days into the new year, with a question. Like Pavlov's dog, my muscles immediately tightened. What new prank is this, I thought. This was the producer of the Howard Stern Show calling! Gary quickly assured me that our conversation was not being recorded. A little wary, but still a little curious, I continued the conversation. Gary asked, "Would you be interested in joining the Stern Show as the announcer?" I burst out laughing. I was not going to be taken in by that tired old joke. "No, I really mean it, George," he insisted. "I'm serious." He did sound sincere. Very guardedly, I played along. "Well, it does sound intriguing," I responded. "But why don't you talk to my agent and see what happens? You may not be able to afford me." That should put an end to this trick, I thought. "Of course I'll do that," he assured me, "but I wanted to know if you would really be interested." I sensed that he was trying to keep me on the line. So, I said to Gary that I would call my agent myself and tell him that I am intrigued by the invitation and gave him my agent's number. Then I hung up. From that conversation with Gary Dell'Abate, the year 2006 was off and running as I had never, in my wildest dreams, expected it to be.
Of all things, the invitation turned out to be true! It wasn't a prank. My agent had conversations with the Stern people, and, five days after that call from Gary, I was on a plane for New York to be the "announcer" on the Howard Stern Show.
Some people have questioned why I appear on a radio show so filled with disgusting talk and obscenity. I respond to them that, yes, the show has language and talk of body functions that really aren't my cup of tea. I try not to use those words myself, but don't we hear them around us daily? The body functions that Howard and gang talk about are what we all do daily as normal, healthy human beings. Howard simply talks about the realities of our life candidly. Some people seem to find life as it is - obscene. I don't.
However, Howard Stern is passionately against what is truly obscene in our society. He has railed at the obscenity of allocating billions of dollars of pork barrel money for a "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, while our soldiers in Iraq are dying because of deficient and ineffective body armor. He has attacked the indecency of tax cuts for the wealthiest at a time of war. He has howled at the outrage of plunging our nation into war with bad intelligence, tough talk, and inadequate planning. He strongly believes that people who love each other, care for each other, and take responsibility for each other that happen to be of the same gender are entitled to equal rights. Howard Stern is a shock jock because truth naked can be shocking. Some of his humor can be adolescent. So what? We all could use a bit of adolescent giggle from time to time. It's good for us. And sometimes, for me it has been humbling, which is also good for all of us from time to time. Humility keeps us grounded. Laughter is the tonic of life.
Howard Stern challenges the status quo, politically, socially, and economically. He exercises our Constitutional freedom of speech vigorously. I admire his daring. I have high regard for his venturesome spirit in making the move from free terrestrial radio to the high-risk adventure of paid satellite radio. It was a singular distinction for me to be the first voice heard on the very first broadcast of his new show. And, Howard's brave move seems to be paying off. His loyal fans and others are switching in the millions as subscribers to Sirius. It is in the same bold spirit of "Star Trek" - to explore new frontiers, new technologies, and new ways of doing things - and laughing at the absurdities of life all the way.
No George Takei This Week. 03/27/06. 6:00am Show opening bits and songs included: Keifer Sutherland song parody ''Feliz Gravitas,'' High Pitch Eric tries to get a phone number from an operator, Red Peters ''Blow Me'' song.
Howard started off the week saying that they were unable to get George Takei this week. He heard that they blew it with the amount of money they offered him. He said that the first time they had him on, during the first week, they came up with a little more money. This time George asked for the same amount and they weren't able to come through with it. Howard said he needs to have a meeting with the people there to figure out how to keep the guests happy and he's not sure who he needs to have that meeting with.
Gary told Howard it would probably have to be with Tim Sabean and Scott Greenstein. Howard thinks that it's crazy that they have to go through all of this stuff to get a guest on the show. He said that if they're going to give receptionists shows on SIRIUS, they may as well just give George Takei his own show and pay him that way. He doesn't want to be involved in all of this stuff but that's what ends up happening. Artie said he hopes that this doesn't ruin the relationship with George. Howard doesn't think it has.
I remember when we heard about Howard's $500 million/5 years deal, we were told that Howard wasn't making $100 million/year but that that was the total for programming the 2 channels. So who controls the budget? Howard makes it sound like it isn't him. _________________ Viking Cats endless loop
Actually, Howard said George's agent said George did the week back in January "on the cheap" (in other words, for less money than he would normally command) because he wanted to be there for Howard's first week.
When it came time to negotiate for this week, George's agent wanted that "normal" fee and SIRIUS came back with the same smaller amount they paid him in January.
Takei's agent declined.
..Wonder if that's what happened with the "lots of announcer bits" they were talking about making/playing... Do they have to pay him for running bits using his voice?
According to Howard, Sirius has final say in how much they spend on guests. that is why he was pissed about them not getting George Takei this week. Howard said if it was up to him, they would have paid what he wanted.
By the way, Terry, your prediction that Howard wouldn't sign any new "names" to contracts due to the lawsuit didn't pan out. Seems Ferrall got signed after-all.
You're crazy if you believe Howard when he says that he isn't in control. He is a control freak but doesn't like the fans to realize that he is very cheap with the dollars.
Tim Sabian is NOT the boss Howard makes him out to be. He answers to the KOAM.
Point taken about Ferrall's signing. I really wasn't sure that was going to happen. I'm not into sports and only listened to Ferrall once during his trial runs. I've only listened to Bubba 3 or 3 times, plus whatever call-in snippets Howard plays.
Howard will probably only bring in a "name/former name" if he thinks that name will draw new subscribers, perhaps from outside the usual Stern audience - enhancing the vision/illusion of Howard's show/staff/fans assimilating (gaining respectability) in the broader Sirius community.
I was sorry to see Takei's return fall through. Truthfully Takei seems content with his life and probably doesn't need the work. You don't see Takei constantly doing commercials the way you see Shatner and Nimoy.
MINNEAPOLIS - Mr. Sulu beamed down to lend support to student gay activists who tried to visit a private Christian university.
George Takei, who played the helmsman in three "Star Trek" TV seasons and six movies, made a surprise appearance Monday after a busload of Soulforce Equality Riders tried to talk about faith and gay rights with students at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis.
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 7:36 am Post subject: Re: George Takei - Why Howard Stern?
George Takei (blog) wrote:
January, 2006 - Why Howard Stern? - by George Takei (photos at site)
...Some people have questioned why I appear on a radio show so filled with disgusting talk and obscenity. I respond to them that, yes, the show has language and talk of body functions that really aren't my cup of tea. I try not to use those words myself, but don't we hear them around us daily? The body functions that Howard and gang talk about are what we all do daily as normal, healthy human beings. Howard simply talks about the realities of our life candidly. Some people seem to find life as it is - obscene. I don't.
However, Howard Stern is passionately against what is truly obscene in our society. He has railed at the obscenity of allocating billions of dollars of pork barrel money for a "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, while our soldiers in Iraq are dying because of deficient and ineffective body armor. He has attacked the indecency of tax cuts for the wealthiest at a time of war. He has howled at the outrage of plunging our nation into war with bad intelligence, tough talk, and inadequate planning. He strongly believes that people who love each other, care for each other, and take responsibility for each other that happen to be of the same gender are entitled to equal rights. Howard Stern is a shock jock because truth naked can be shocking. Some of his humor can be adolescent. So what? We all could use a bit of adolescent giggle from time to time. It's good for us. And sometimes, for me it has been humbling, which is also good for all of us from time to time. Humility keeps us grounded. Laughter is the tonic of life.
Howard Stern challenges the status quo, politically, socially, and economically. He exercises our Constitutional freedom of speech vigorously. I admire his daring. I have high regard for his venturesome spirit in making the move from free terrestrial radio to the high-risk adventure of paid satellite radio. It was a singular distinction for me to be the first voice heard on the very first broadcast of his new show. And, Howard's brave move seems to be paying off. His loyal fans and others are switching in the millions as subscribers to Sirius. It is in the same bold spirit of "Star Trek" - to explore new frontiers, new technologies, and new ways of doing things - and laughing at the absurdities of life all the way.
There was a very interesting discussion between George Flowers and other's present at Tuesday's Wrap-Up show defending allowing racial issues to be presented as they are on the Stern show. Mr. Flowers, feeling like he had to "represent" for his racially diverse marriage, made his point well. Gary and others present defended quite well. If there is clippage available of just the portion of the Tuesday, 8/15 Wrap-Up pertaining to racism, it might be good to have that discussion out here in the "public" view.
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