Is Howard Stern getting canceled
As rumors surface about legendary shock jock Howard Stern possibly not returning to SiriusXM after his contract expires, one of the show’s most recognizable characters has shared his thoughts via Men’s Journal.
John Melendez, also known as “Stuttering John” during his days on The Howard Stern Show, recently took to X to share his thoughts on the rumor that Stern’s contract may not be renewed.
A report from Jessica Finn of The U.S. Sun revealed that, as per a source, Stern’s asking price may simply be too high for SiriusXM to pay because he’s “no longer worth the investment.”
The report also shareed the opinion of another source, who believes that if SiriusXM doesn’t offer Stern a big contract, it would have more to do with his political leanings than his ratings.
“If Sirius isn’t going to give Stern a good offer, I don’t think it would have anything to do with his ratings,” the source said in the report. “It’s more likely everything to do with the political climate.”
Melendez addressed that particular rumor in his post on social media.
“If Howard Stern is getting canceled because of his political leanings, then we are not becoming a Fascist nation… We are one!” Melendez wrote.
Melendez worked on The Howard Stern Show from 1988 to 2004 before moving on to work on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
“I didn’t want to, you know, hear Howard in my head every day and you know talking to us on the show, at least to me, and saying I’m worthless, I’m not funny,” Melendez said of his departure back in 2018.
Melendez began his career as an intern on Stern’s show but quickly rose to become an on-air personality, gaining recognition for his confrontational interviews with celebrities.
Howard Stern’s lucrative contract
Stern started his radio career in the 1970s and became an icon when his show was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. In 2006, he joined a satellite radio company, becoming the face of the platform for many years.
This transition led to several lucrative contracts, including his current deal, which is reportedly worth $500 million over five years. But Stern’s popularity is believed to have waned significantly over the years, which is why SiriusXM may be hesitant to pay him big money.
