The man once recognized for pissing off every journalist and celebrity
in America is now cozying up to these same journalists and celebrities.
The self-dubbed "King of All Media," at a time noted for his refusal
to grant any press interviews, is now happily sitting down for one-on-one
sessions with every media outlet from "Access Hollywood" to The
Sun. And the shock jock often known for his vehement anti-French views has
now come to Cannes and declared 'Viva la France!"
This is not the old Howard Stern, that's for sure. The signs were obvious
last March when he began a promotional tour for his film "Private Parts."
He appeared on every morning and late-night talk show to plug the flick
but his act was considerably less brazen and controversial than ever before.
No Carson-bashing, no smooching lesbians. Gosh, he even went on "Larry
King Live!"
But his arrival in France earlier this week confirmed this change in character.
Not only has Howard come to a country he once despised, but he's been especially
un-outrageous and un-Stern-like. In fact, the wildest stunt pulled by Stern
-- anchoring a giant inflatable likeness of himself in the Mediterranean,
which French President Jacques Chirac threatened to have shot down -- was
originally done by Arnold Schwarzenegger three years earlier while he was
promoting "The Last Action Hero."
The "soft Stern" was again on display at a beach party given in
honor of his film Wednesday night at the Majestic. This was not a Howard
Stern party in the tradition of "Butt Bongo Fiesta" but rather
a staid gathering of studio execs that paled in comparison to the MTV bash
of last weekend. There was no Stern stamp on the night's events with a noticeable
lack of bare skin and heavy metal music. Instead, ice cream sundaes and
selections from the "Grease" soundtrack were featured at a party
that resembled more a Bar Mitzvah reception than a legendary Howard Stern
fete.
There were a couple scantily clad dancers but Stern would have never seen
them as he spent most of the time nestled away from the regular partygoers
in a "VIP tent" constructed on-site. And with what outrageous
character was he clinking glasses inside this exclusive area? Stuttering
John, the Bobbitts, the Buttafuocos? Perhaps the Spice Girls, who occupied
Stern's suite at the Martinez prior to his arrival? No, try Mick Hucknall
of the band Simply Red and actor Dylan McDermott.
Never mind Joe DiMaggio. Where have you gone, Howard Stern?
Copyright 1994-2008 Film Scouts LLC
Created, produced, and published by Film Scouts LLC
Film Scouts® is a registered trademark of Film Scouts LLC
All rights reserved.
