Howard Stern’s Cancellation Prank Incites ‘Fear’ Among Staff

Howard Stern‘s rumored cancellation on SiriusXM has shifted from hypothesis to a joke and, even worse, reportedly left his employees deeply unsettled.

Though the radio persona, who signed a five-year contract extension in 2020 for “The Howard Stern Present,” went on air to dismiss rumors of his departure, his reassurances seem to have achieved little to ease considerations.

Insiders say that inside his greater than two-decade-old media empire, tensions are operating excessive.

With Stern’s radio future in limbo, his employees are probably the most nervous, and the rising concern has caused turmoil inside the workforce. 

“Persons are panicking. Many staff who work there have a household to maintain, have children, have a mortgage fee, and that is their foremost supply of earnings,” an insider informed Daily Mail. 

They continued, “Worry has sunk in that subsequent week, subsequent month, they won’t have a job. It isn’t truthful to a variety of them.” In actual fact, the threats of the potential layoffs didn’t simply begin not too long ago however have been on their “minds for fairly a while.”

In response to the informant, whereas a number of workforce members are speaking about leaving, strict contract phrases stop them from talking out concerning the firm.

“Folks there, they’re all terrified as a result of they’re all on [non-disclosure agreements]. All of them signed papers that say they are not allowed to open their mouths and speak about something.” 

The workers are anxious that even a small slip or voicing a grievance can get them “immediately fired” if Stern will get wind of it. “There is a ton of individuals there whose lives would drastically change based mostly on Stern’s firing on a whim,” the supply concluded. 

Regardless of Stern’s staffers’ anxieties concerning the collection’ attainable finish, he beforehand brushed it off, however not with out poking enjoyable at it.

The Blast reported that listeners tuning in for this system’s anticipated return on September 8 had been shocked to listen to a distinct voice behind the mic.

“Bravo” host Andy Cohen opened the printed, joking that it was his first day and hinting that Stern had stepped away for good. 

Cohen performed alongside, admitting he was nervous to fill Stern’s sneakers and suggesting that the handoff had been removed from clean. Cohen maintained his act even when an indignant listener aired his displeasure over the sudden look.

Nevertheless, Stern quickly acquired on-air and declared it was solely a stunt earlier than addressing all of the speak of his exit. Declining to share specifics, Stern promised listeners that he and SiriusXM executives had been working towards the absolute best consequence for each side. 

He reassured them that he had no points with the broadcasting firm and defined his September 2 absence, citing sickness as the explanation.

As for whoever in Stern’s media empire is leaking non-public particulars to the general public, the person had greatest rely their days as Stern is doing his greatest to fish them out. 

As The Blast reported earlier, tensions rose as govt producer Gary Dell’Abate warned {that a} member of the workforce was spilling unique data. The mole had revealed speak from a team-building gathering at a Spin ping-pong bar in Manhattan. 

In response, Stern launched an inside investigation, assigning the duty to producer Memet Walker, a former U.S. Air Power airman with interrogation coaching.