I used to listen to Stern everyday here in cleveland. He used to be one of the funniest (and raunchy) guys around. His show had deteriorated into a bad Michael Moore bit. Actually, he started losing it after his divorce 3 years ago.
"I's not funny.....It's just not fun."
When Hank-the-angry,-drunken-dwarf passed on so did 'Pinnochio'. Howie is now a frustrated, old re-tred of non-conformity. Cause of death?... no fresh, new material.
I noticed the same thing. It used to be sort of funny that here was this average family guy who had this alter-ego that went wild and vented it all on the radio before going home to his wife and kids. Now, he's just another stupid celebrity telling us all how we should live.
I read both of Howard's books before I moved to an a market that broadcast his show. His books were much better than anything I heard on the air.