Howard Stern is addressing the controversy that followed him throughout the summer as “The Howard Stern Show” begins its new season. The Howard Stern Insists He Has ‘Never Been More Successful’ As He Hits Back At Rumors About His Show And Toxic Work Claims first appeared on The Blast

Howard Stern is addressing the controversy that followed him throughout the summer as “The Howard Stern Show” begins its new season.

The 72-year-old radio personality responded to allegations about his workplace while also pushing back against some of the reports surrounding him.

The claims against Howard Stern emerged during a critical period that included a lawsuit from a former assistant, staff cuts, and major changes to his SiriusXM program.

Howard Stern Speaks On Toxic Workplace Allegations

Stern has decided to address the negative allegations surrounding him when he returned to SiriusXM for his season premiere. Rather than completely avoiding the controversy, the broadcaster used sarcasm to acknowledge how he had been portrayed during his time away.

“I’ve never had a summer where I was treated so well in the press,” Stern joked on the Monday episode of his show, per Page Six. “It was so positive. I can’t believe it.”

He then added, “I can’t tell you how many different people have called me a scumbag.”

Stern also denied a report claiming employees had been instructed not to speak to him during company parties. He further addressed suggestions that his wife, Beth Stern, had recently come to his defense.

According to the radio host, she was simply responding to a question about his new HBO Max arrangement rather than trying to protect his reputation.

“They interpreted it some other way,” Stern said of the coverage. “When did I ever need a defense?” He later jokingly conceded, “If you think I’m a scumbag, you’re probably right.”

The Shock Jock Insists He Has ‘Never Been More Successful’

Speaking more about the claims surrounding his show, Stern stressed that it was his decision to drop his iconic Howard 101 channel.

According to the famous comedian, he simply no longer wanted “the responsibility” for the channel.

Stern then bragged a bit about his career in radio, labeling himself the most successful of all time.

“I’ve never been more successful. I am the most successful radio personality,” he stated. “I mean, not that that’s anything to boast. I mean, it didn’t take much effort.”

• Howard Stern is struggling to understand fans’ anger over radio show changes.
• The comedian’s iconic channel was pulled after massive staff layoffs.
• Stern had a behind-the-scenes spiral over the possible loss of the channel.
• The shock jock’s “bizarre” rules for his staff were revealed.
• Stern was slammed for his “ego” and behavior behind closed doors.
• Ex-staffers addressed “frightening” experience working with Stern.

Former Assistant Accused Howard Stern And His  Wife Of A Hostile Work Environment

Part of the scrutiny surrounding Stern stems from a legal dispute involving Leslie Kuhn, a former executive assistant who sued Howard and Beth in April. Kuhn accused the couple of maintaining a hostile working environment while they employed her.

According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Kuhn described facing “immense pressure” while overseeing the couple’s Hamptons residence. Her responsibilities also included assisting Beth with the “extensive at-home feline rescue and fostering operations,” which she didn’t particularly enjoy.

Kuhn additionally claimed Stern’s production company, One Twelve, presented her with a nondisclosure agreement that she maintained she never signed. She alleged that the circumstances surrounding her dismissal and the NDA were created most particularly by Beth.

The dispute later produced a favorable ruling for the Sterns as the ruling judge rejected Kuhn’s allegations. However, the workplace accusations remained among the controversies surrounding the broadcaster ahead of his show comeback.

HBO Max Contract Came At The Right Time

Amid the scrutiny surrounding his workplace and the wider changes to his radio program, Stern has secured a new opportunity with HBO Max. The agreement will allow new episodes of “The Howard Stern Show” to reach streaming viewers every Thursday.

SiriusXM described the partnership as giving Stern’s audience a deserved “seat in the studio,” allowing viewers to watch the conversations and moments they previously experienced primarily through radio.

The streaming agreement comes as Stern continues his relationship with SiriusXM under a three-year contract signed in December. At the time, he explained that the new arrangement would allow him to balance his career with a less demanding schedule.

“I am happy to announce that I have figured out a way to have it all,” Stern told listeners when revealing the contract. He said the agreement offered him “more free time and continuing to be on the radio.”

The HBO Max expansion therefore arrives during a period of significant transition for Stern. While his SiriusXM show is undergoing major changes, the streaming partnership gives him another platform to reach his audience.

Fans Are Not Loving The New Changes To Stern’s SiriusXM Show

Not everyone is pleased with the new direction of Stern’s show. Some longtime SiriusXM listeners have threatened to cancel their subscriptions after learning that the program would be reduced to one new three-hour episode each week.

According to a report, one listener described the idea of continuing to pay for only one fresh weekly show as “insane,” despite praising the program’s cast.

Other fans claimed on Reddit that they had already ended subscriptions they had maintained for years. However, there are currently no official figures showing how many customers have actually canceled because of the changes.

The frustration has also been intensified by the reduction in Stern’s staff. Around a dozen employees reportedly lost their positions as the show prepared for its smaller output.

For some listeners, Stern’s desire for greater flexibility has therefore come at a cost. The combination of fewer episodes and a smaller team has left some longtime fans questioning whether their subscriptions are still worth keeping.

The Howard Stern Insists He Has ‘Never Been More Successful’ As He Hits Back At Rumors About His Show And Toxic Work Claims first appeared on The Blast