Andy Cohen Throws Howard Stern Under The Bus On Show’s Prank

Andy Cohen‘s tune is “It Wasn’t Me!” after helping Howard Stern carry out his comeback prank.

The reality TV host finally revealed what really happened behind the scenes when he led listeners to believe the radio legend was off the air for good.

Howard Stern had fueled speculations of an exit from SiriusXM for weeks now, following an alleged strain in their professional relationship and emerging competitors within the network.

Andy Cohen Breaks Silence On His Role in ‘The Howard Stern Show’ Prank

The “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” let the cat out of the bag on the short prank he played on the radio, which startled fans across America. 

He had informed Stern’s teeming listeners that the radio host was out of SiriusXM after weeks of rumors. As the show went on, Stern rejoined, dispelling all the rumors of any hassle with the producers and reaffirming his commitment to giving his fans a swell time on the show.

Cohen later explained to curious paparazzi that the idea was purely Stern’s and he was just happy to be a solid wingman. He confessed that he found pleasure in watching news outlets such as Variety and the Associated Press report the news of Stern’s departure from the network.

Cohen stressed that the split reactions from fans towards the news even made things more interesting. Per TMZ, he noted that the fans were either very amused by the news or were just angry that one of their favorite radio heads was gone.

What The Media Personality Said About His Alleged Show Cancellation

As soon as Stern took over the anchor chair from Cohen, he clarified to fans that all the tension that had been building up for weeks was to prepare them for an exciting return to doing what he loves.

He assured his listeners that all was well with the producers and the network, noting that the reason for his September 2 absence was that he fell ill.

As reported by The Blast, his triumphant return to television last Tuesday was canceled at the last minute, as he explained that it was due to a sickness he could not ignore.

When reports of his exit were at their peak, insiders shared that the radio presenter and the show producers were not agreeing on a particular sum as his salary. Howard’s expectations regarding payment were reportedly cut short, as the company felt he was no longer worth the investment.

Stern Was Alledgedly Desperate To Boost His Listeners’ Count

The radio show host was also accused of employing very desperate measures to stay relevant, including orchestrating several hoaxes. Stern was fixated on increasing his embarrassingly declining ratings, and if it meant promoting rumors of a feud with SiriusXM, he was ready to do it.

The radio host lost a significant chunk of his listeners in recent times, with a whopping reduction from 20 million daily tune-ins to a meagre 125,000.

Regarding who or what is to blame for his misfortune, sources reveal that it is no one but himself, having devised the counterproductive measure of repeatedly condemning Trump, which upset MAGA supporters.

He had reportedly told Trump fans to avoid his show, an action he later regretted, but it was too late for anything to change. Now, he is back to correct the alleged error, with hopes that the disgruntled listeners return.

The Host Reportedly Considered Getting Into Talks With Other Platforms

Despite the challenges faced by Stern on the show, reports from inside the network noted that he stuck to his guns and insisted the network had much to gain from his years of experience.

The Blast stated that he remained unconvinced that his career was waning due to age or pushing out mediocre content. The most jarring part of Stern’s journey with the network was the risk of his newly signed $500 million deal not getting renewed.

Following the dark cloud masking his progress with SiriusXM, Stern reportedly planned to consult producers with HBO or Netflix to have him on one or more of their shows.

“He wants it all to end on his terms. He believes he deserves that for all that he has done in the medium,” a source revealed about what awaits SiriusXM if they really sever ties with the radio host.

Inside Howard Stern’s Mouthwatering Net Worth

The 71-year-old reportedly has an impressive treasury worth $650 million after over four decades of hosting radio shows. Celebrity Net Worth shared that other ventures, including book deals, multiple pay-per-view programs, two late-night talk shows, and several albums, sprang up from his radio career.

He exited the regular radio scene in 2005 and signed his $500 million, five-year radio deal with SiriusXM, with a debut in 2006. Since then, he has amassed over $1 billion with the network, adding to his backlog of millions during his time on regular radio shows.

He extended his deal with SiriusXM in 2020 with another five-year deal worth $600 million. In addition to his flawless radio career and earnings, he also boasts of $100 million investment in real estate.

Howard Stern’s listeners must be celebrating his return.