It Never Entered My Mind To Sue Howard Stern For Defamation

1-30-2013

As the jury awaits instructions in the Bubba The Love Sponge defamation lawsuit Wednesday, we spoke to someone who can certainly relate to Todd "MJ" Schnitt's situation. John DeBella was the radio king in Philadelphia from 1984-1989. His Morning Zoo program on rocker WMMR earned him big money (a 2002 Philadelphia Weekly story claimed DeBella was making $1.2 million a year) and big ratings. It also earned him a big target on his back. And taking aim at that target was radio's leading sharpshooter, Howard Stern.

In 1986, Howard Stern was being piped into Philadelphia on WYSP. And, as Stern did with every top-rated morning show he competed against, he went right after DeBella. There was the typical name-calling, and long tirades with Stern delivering nasty, nonstop verbal assaults. Then came the more personal attacks.

When DeBella and his wife were having issues, Stern threw a "divorce party."

Stern did eventually become number one in Philadelphia, which led to gloating that culminated in Stern's making a trip to Philly to stage a mock funeral for DeBella in Rittenhouse Square, right below the windows of WMMR. Stern even burned DeBella in effigy.

For his part, DeBella never engaged on the air with Stern, and he says not once did he consider filing a lawsuit against Stern for the things he was saying. We spoke with DeBella to get his perspective on the Bubba/Schnitt defamation case, and his thoughts on what he went through with Stern back in the 1980s. HERE'S THAT INTERVIEW.

John DeBella is still on the air in Philadelphia, doing mornings on Greater Media's classic rock WMGK. Many years after the "Funeral in the Street," Howard Stern invited DeBella on to his show and apologized.

You can e-mail DeBella at DeBella@WMGK.com

(1/30/2013 12:04:50 AM)
While there may be differing opinions from the pundits about the content, the grownups in the room also appreciate that it's still (just) Show Business.

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Howard Helping Kids For The Holidays

11-29-2012

Clark Howard has started his 22nd annual ?Clark?s Christmas Kids? program on WSB in Atlanta. Howard and WSB join forces with the Georgia Department of Family & Children?s Services to provide gifts for children in foster care. Because of Clark Howard, the "Christmas Kids" campaign collects about half of all the Christmas gifts that DFACs gives to children in foster care.

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Howard Moving to Afternoons At WDBO

10-2-2012
WDBO Program Director Drew Anderssen says Clark Howard will move from nights to air live on WDBO from 1PM to 3PM Eastern starting October 12. Howard now airs on the station at 10PM. WDBO currently carries the Mel Robbins show from 1PM-3PM Eastern.

Anderssen says, ?Clark provides clear context and guidance to financial issues that surround every American, every day. With an election right around the corner, and the uncertainty of our nation ahead, I can?t think of a better time to give our audience exactly what they asked for ? Clark Howard, back live on WDBO, starting October 12. ?

Howard is syndicated by Dial Global.

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Robbins and Howard Swap Spots at WDBO

3-1-2012

The Mel Robbins show will swap places with Clark Howard at the Cox owned Orlando station. Robbins will be moving to the 1 ? 3 p.m. slot Monday through Friday while the Clark Howard Show is moved to 10 p.m. ? 1 a.m. Robbins? program will originate from rural Massachusetts and her little farm outside of Boston. She will have frequent appearances in Orlando and will be in town next Monday ? Wednesday to launch her new timeslot.

Robbins spent 5 years as a public defender in Manhattan and currently has her own TV show on A&E, ?Monster in Law.? Besides the daily radio show and filming for TV, she also travels around the country on speaking engagements for Fortune 500 companies. Robbins has appeared with Dr. Phil discussing her life coaching skills and is a regular on Anderson Cooper?s daytime program, ABC?s ?Good Morning America,? a bestselling author, and more.

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Howard Stern Takes Job on America's Got Talent

Hoping to give his program a needed boost, Simon Cowell has turned to one of radio's most successful talents for help. In typical dramatic fashion, right before his vacation, Stern announced he has taken the job on NBC's reality show America's Got Talent. Stern is no TV novice having had several of his own television shows during his lengthy career.

The reality show, which originates from Los Angeles will relocate to New York to accommodate Stern's SiriusXM morning show, which he continues to broadcast from New York, although on a more limited basis. Stern says he'll start shooting in February and actually be traveling the country to do the audition rounds. Stern will replace CNN host Piers Morgan at the judges' table, alongside Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne.

About the announcement, NBC's president of alternative and late-night programming Paul Telegdy saud ?Howard Stern?s larger-than-life personality will bring a thrilling new dynamic to ?America's Got Talent? starting this summer. He?s a proven innovator and his track record in broadcasting is truly remarkable. Howard is very passionate about this show and is fully committed to its future success.?

(12/15/2011 2:11:08 PM)
* * * AWESOME! * * *

Who better to judge an overweight topless juggler singing through a ventriloquist dummy while gargling than Howard Stern?

No...I say, NO ONE!

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The Howard Outrage Begins

12-16-2011

Parents Television Council President Tim Winter was quick to criticize the new NBC/Stern relationship, saying the network has lost its way. ?In an act of desperation for a flailing network, NBC has hired Howard Stern ? a performer who is synonymous with shock, profanity and obscenity ? as a judge on a prime-time talent competition. Not coincidentally, in just over three weeks the network will be standing before the United States Supreme Court arguing for the right to use the F-word at any time of the day, even in front of children. The once-proud broadcast network has made it clear it holds no concern whatsoever for children and families. It also risks losing millions in advertising dollars. Whatever principles NBC had in the past, when the network was successful, have clearly gone out the window.?

(12/16/2011 7:36:24 AM)
Suddenly, the image of Howard Stern critiquing the likes of a Jackie Evancho came to mind. Is it really that hard to find someone with class instead of reaching for the lowest common social denominator? It sure explains a lot about how NBC has gotten to where it is today. Very sad.
(12/16/2011 7:12:45 AM)

While I don't often side with - or even agree with the PTC and its tactics, I have to echo their sentiment concerning Howard Stern in a Prime Time network slot.

He may be intelligent, he may be 'heritage' to radio, and he may draw curious viewers, but his reputation as a sleaze bag is well earned, and I believe NBC just made another costly error.

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(AUDIO) Howard Makes Rare FM Radio Appearance.

It was like old times again as Howard Stern made his first appearance on the FM dial in about 6 years. Stern was invited to participate in a farewell to CBS Philadelphia rock station WYSP. When Stern was syndicated, WYSP was one of his earliest markets and he has a fondness for the city for the fan following he had there. The WYSP dial position is now simulcasting all sports WIP after more than four decades of playing rock music. Stern told Spike Erwin " It was such an honor to be on WYSP. I'm nostalgic about a station like WYSP. I guess this just points out that people are getting their music somewhere else."

Stern reminisced with Erskin for over 30 minutes about his love for the Philly market. You could tell he was torn between whether to be happy or sad that WYSP is no gone. On one hand he said it was proof the station never really could recover after he left the terrestrial radio scene. But on the other he was sorry to see such a legendary station flip formats. "I'm very attached with the audience in Philadelphia because they did support me. WYSP was a great opportunity for me. We poured out heart and soul into it. I devoted so many years to that station and I will miss it."

Listen to the entire Howard Stern WYSP interview HERE

The station began its final hour with "Long Live Rock" by The Who and the hour included songs like "Keep on "Rockin' in the Free World," "Don't Know What You Got Til It's Gone" and "I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night." The jocks then got on the mic and announced their names and how many years they were with the station.

Listen to the last hour of WYSP HERE

WYSP Program Director Jeff Sottolano tells Radio Ink his team approached the entire final week on the air with style and grace. "Howard was terrific (aided by an incredible performance by Spike), but I think the real stars were our current staff who rallied around creating a memorable week of radio that did the call letters justice. Jocks who had been released gave up some of their last hours to allow alumni on the air to share their memories. PTers with nothing to gain from it poured themselves into creating memorable last shifts when they could have mailed it in. We learned a lot about WYSP's history and we learned a lot about ourselves. I just got out of the way to let it happen. The website will remain up for the time being with audio, pictures and more." Sottolano will segue over to WIP and become the Program Director for the all sports station.

Read comments from WYSP fans HERE

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Hello Howard. Artie Wants to Come Back.

July 11, 2011

The trouble soul Artie Lange popped back on America's radar last week appearing on Fox Sports Radio with his friend Nick DiPaolo who was filling in. A year and a half ago Lange tried to kill himself, his fight to kick drugs, especially heroin, well known to all. Lange hasn't been heard from as he tries to straighten himself out. He hinted getting back with Stern is on his mind. "That would be the greatest thing ever," he said. "I was on the greatest show of all time for nine years but I put them in a very awkward situation to say the least. But I love all of them." Howard was interviewed in Rolling Stone where he said "he was concerned about letting Lange back on his Sirus radio show for health reasons." Lange says he is now clean but there is no word on whether this feeling-each-other out is headed anywhere.

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