Shock Jock Stern Laments Karmazin's Viacom Exit

[Kadie]

Shock Jock Stern Laments Karmazin's Viacom Exit

Tue Jun 1, 2004 08:52 PM ET

By Steve Gorman
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Shock jock Howard Stern, given to frequent on-air fits of desperation and rage, said on Tuesday his radio days are "really numbered" with the abrupt resignation of his chief benefactor, Mel Karmazin, as president of Viacom Inc.

"He's my backup here," Stern lamented as he opened his nationally syndicated morning show lamenting the news that Karmazin, for whom Stern has worked for 18 years, was stepping down as Viacom president and chief operating officer. "This is definitely the nail in my coffin."

But a key executive at Viacom, newly named co-president Leslie Moonves, told reporters that he would do his best to keep Stern and other top radio talent.

Stern's radio show, syndicated by Viacom-owned Infinity Broadcasting, is currently carried on about 30 radio stations around the country.

more... http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=BC1TKEYPGH2Y0CRBAEKSFFA?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=5316223

[natrat]

1. that's too bad.

Howard rocks--especially now as he tells how it is regarding chimpy and the criminals.hey now

[villager]

2. Les "Brass Balls" Moonves?

The same one who caved in on the MoveOn Super Bowl ad and the airing of the Reagans?

Yeah, satellite radio, get ready -- here comes Howard Stern!

[otohara]

3. True, True - Wow I Didn't Know This Happened

this is huge news in the world of broadcasting...Mel was a giant in the industry.

Must go find out more information...