Stern Archive 2009 — Howard

The Howard Stern Archive 2009 is a curated snapshot of The Howard Stern Show’s cultural footprint during that year — highlights, notable interviews, controversies, recurring bits, and why 2009 matters in Stern’s long career. This guide explains what the archive contains, key moments to listen for, and ways to explore it that keep the experience entertaining and illuminating.

While 2009 was largely a year of celebration (the wedding, the TV deal), the archive holds a darker, more somber tone regarding Artie Lange.

Throughout 2009, Artie was present, but his struggles were becoming more visible. There were moments of brilliance, but also moments of deep sadness and erratic behavior. In December 2009, the show aired the infamous "Too Fat to Fish" audiobook outtakes, where Artie recorded intros for his book while seemingly under the influence.

For the archivist, these moments are difficult to listen to knowing what would happen just weeks later (Artie’s suicide attempt in January 2010). The 2009 tapes serve as a tragic document of a brilliant comedian unraveling while his friends and colleagues watched, laughed, and sometimes intervened, unable to stop the inevitable crash.

2009 is also a standout year for "The Wrap-Up Show," the post-game show hosted by Gary "Baba Booey" Dell'Abate. In 2009, the interpersonal dynamics of the staff were as compelling as the guests.

Sal Governale and Richard Christy were solidified as the duo of chaos. Their pranks—such as Richard drinking various bodily fluids or Sal’s betting habits—provided a carnival atmosphere. But there were also genuine conflicts. Arguments between Gary and Artie Lange, or Howard’s frustrations with producer Gary Dell'Abate’s "tooth" incident or his memoir progress, felt organic.

The archive reveals a staff that was comfortable enough to fight on air. There was no fear of HR repercussions in the Sirius studios, leading to raw, unfiltered arguments that terrestrial radio could never broadcast.

The Howard Stern Archive 2009 is more than a collection of radio shows. It is a documentary of a man at the top of his game in a medium he dominated, watching one of his closest friends self-destruct, all while fighting a corporate monolith.

For anyone discovering Stern for the first time, 2009 is the recommended starting point. It requires no knowledge of the 80s shock jock days, but it retains all the danger. For the veteran listener, digging through the 2009 archive is like visiting an old friend—louder, angrier, funnier, and totally unfiltered.

Start your search. Find the April 2009 shows with the "Sybian" saga. Find the August 2009 wrap-up shows where Artie yells at Jon Hein. Find the video sync of the "Goofing on Sal’s Wedding" tapes.

The year 2009 is the skeleton key to understanding why Howard Stern remains the King of All Media. Don’t let this era be forgotten.

Call to Action: Do you have a specific date from 2009 you are trying to find or remember? Drop the date in the comments (or forums) below, and let the community help you unlock that piece of radio history.

Howard Stern Archive 2009: The Year the "Artie Era" Ended The Howard Stern Archive 2009 captures a pivotal turning point in the history of The Howard Stern Show. Often described by fans as the twilight of the show's "Golden Era" on satellite radio, 2009 was a year defined by high-stakes drama, legendary comedy bits, and the tragic professional unraveling of a core cast member. The Departure of Artie Lange

The most significant event in the 2009 archive is the downward spiral of Artie Lange. Throughout the year, listeners witnessed Artie’s escalating struggle with addiction, characterized by frequent absences, erratic behavior, and on-air confrontations. Howard Stern Archive 2009

June 2009: A breaking point occurred when Howard deadpanned that he had seen no improvement in Artie’s performance, leading to a somber on-air discussion about Artie's mental health and need for counseling.

December 9, 2009: In what would become his final appearance as a series regular, Lange arrived at the studio severely intoxicated. Management sent him home mid-show, and he was granted an indefinite leave of absence that ultimately became a permanent split. Notable Interviews and Guests

Despite the internal turmoil, the 2009 archives feature some of the show's most memorable celebrity interactions. Stern was in the midst of his evolution from "shock jock" to the premier long-form interviewer he is known as today.

Ben Stiller: An April appearance where Howard confronted Stiller about a perceived "disappearance" from their budding friendship.

Gilbert Gottfried: A frequent guest in 2009, Gottfried sat in for legendary bits, including a 28-minute voicemail prank left for Jerry Seinfeld.

Denise Richards: She appeared in June to discuss her highly publicized divorce settlement and family life. Key Bits and Staff Antics

The 2009 archive is a goldmine for "classic" Stern Show chaos involving the Wack Pack and the back-office staff:

Tim Sabean’s Bathroom Incident: One of the most infamous "gross-out" stories in show history, involving a mess in the SiriusXM hallways that haunted the program director for years.

Sal and Richard’s Stunts: The duo continued their reign of terror with public pranks, including a notable incident where they were caught making out in the background of a live news report.

The History of Howard Stern: In December 2009, the show premiered Act III of this massive audio documentary, which digitized decades of tapes and covered Howard’s rise to "King of All Media". Show Rundown: Howard Stern

Howard Stern 2009 Archive is often regarded by fans as a "transitional yet legendary" year in the show's history. It is defined by the high-stakes drama of the Artie Lange saga

, the peak of the show's satellite radio era on SiriusXM, and iconic Wack Pack moments. Key Highlights of 2009 The Artie Lange Departure

: This year is most notable for being Artie's final year on the show. The archive captures his increasing struggle with addiction, frequent absences, and the "Artie clears up rehab confusion" segment in early January. Fans often find these archives "sad but essential" listening for the raw honesty of the period. Wack Pack Gold The Howard Stern Archive 2009 is a curated

: 2009 featured classic confrontations and specials, such as: "Point Counter Pointless"

: A Steve Langford-moderated debate between John the Stutterer and High Register Sean. Eric the Midget

: Frequent calls, including his attempt to promote an "American Idol" commentary show and being questioned about a roommate catching him in a private moment. Big Name Interviews : The archive includes notable guest appearances like Kathy Griffin (spilling celebrity tea), Norm MacDonald

, and even discussions on then-major news like the Chris Brown and Rihanna relationship. Archive Structure & Content Show Rundowns : Daily logs provide a breakdown of segments, from Howard's Mexico vacation stories to Richard Christy's diaper stunts.

: The full year is archived in various fan-curated formats, often consisting of individual MP3 files for each day's broadcast (roughly 40-50MB per episode).

: The 2009 shows maintain the "anything goes" atmosphere of early satellite radio, before the shift toward more traditional celebrity interviewing that characterized Howard’s later career. Critical Consensus

Listeners generally rate 2009 as a "must-hear" year because it represents the end of an era. While some find the Artie drama difficult to revisit, the comedic chemistry between Howard, Robin, Fred, and Artie during the "good days" of that year is considered some of the best radio ever produced. for certain guests or find out where to listen to these archives Howard Stern 2009 podcast - Fourble

The year 2009 stands as a pivotal era in the Howard Stern Show timeline. It was a year defined by the peak of the "Sirius XM Golden Age," where the show felt dangerous, unfiltered, and deeply transformative.

Here is a deep dive into why the 2009 archives remain essential listening for any fan of the King of All Media. 🎙️ The Era of High Stakes and Hard Shifts

In 2009, the show was fully settled into satellite radio but faced massive external shifts. It was the year Howard’s original contract began winding down, leading to intense on-air speculation about his retirement or a move to a new platform. The Artie Lange Saga:

This is the most significant, and tragic, arc of the 2009 archives. The tension between Artie’s escalating personal struggles and his comedic brilliance created a "train wreck" energy that was impossible to turn off. The Sirius-XM Merger:

The aftermath of the Sirius and XM merger was in full swing, bringing a new corporate corporate backdrop to Howard's "us vs. them" narrative. The Birth of "The Wrap-Up Show" Legends:

Side-characters like Jon Hein and Gary Dell'Abate were providing the "show after the show" content that fueled months of arguments. 🏆 Key Moments from the 2009 Archive 1. The Artie vs. Teddy Fight Call to Action: Do you have a specific

Perhaps the most infamous moment of the year. Artie’s explosion at his assistant, Teddy, showcased the raw, unedited volatility that characterized the show at the time. It was uncomfortable, real, and quintessential Stern. 2. The Sal and Richard Prank Call Peak

2009 was a vintage year for Sal the Stockbroker and Richard Christy. Their Tradio calls and Public Access stings reached a level of sophistication (and absurdity) that many argue hasn't been matched since. 3. The 50 Cent Interview

Before Howard became known as the "world's best celebrity interviewer," his 2009 sit-down with 50 Cent was a masterclass. It moved past the PR fluff and into the gritty details of 50's business empire and personal life. 4. The "Block Party" Fever

The internal drama surrounding the "Howard Stern Killers of Comedy" and the "Ronnie the Limo Driver Block Parties" provided endless "filler" content that turned minor staff grievances into week-long comedy gold. 🎧 Why This Year Matters Today

Listening to the 2009 archives today feels like visiting a different world. Pre-Censorship:

The show hadn't yet moved toward the more "celebrity-friendly" tone of the 2010s. The Wack Pack:

Many legendary Wack Packers like Eric the Actor and Riley Martin were at their absolute peak of productivity and hilarity. Raw Chemistry:

The dynamic between Howard, Robin, Fred, Artie, and Gary was a five-way engine that rarely misfired. 🚩 How to Navigate the Archives

If you are diving into the 2009 vault, look for these specific "sagas": The "Bro Fight": Howard and Artie’s falling out over the word "bro." The Gary Pitch:

The legendary aftermath of Gary Dell'Abate's disastrous first pitch at the Mets game. The Miss Howard Stern Pageant:

A throwback to the chaotic, contest-driven energy of the early satellite years.

By 2009, Howard had been on Sirius for three years. The "honeymoon period" of shock and awe was over. He had moved past the gimmicks of "free satellite radios for everyone" and settled into a rhythm.

If you pull a random episode from the 2009 archive, you will likely encounter the "Wack Pack" operating at peak efficiency. Specifically, 2009 was a golden era for Eric the Actor (formerly Eric the Midget).

Eric’s hostile relationship with the show provided endless content. In 2009, the show leaned heavily into humiliating Eric, but in a way that only the Stern Show can—by turning it into high art. This was the era of the Staff Song Parodies. Staff members like Sal Governale, Richard Christy, and Fred Norris would churn out elaborate, professionally produced songs mocking Eric’s physical appearance and his stubborn attitude.

It wasn't just schoolyard bullying; it was a creative exercise. The "Eric the Midget" songs became a running gag that unified the cast and the audience. It showcased the unique ecosystem of the Stern Show: the boundary between "talent" and "staff" was porous, and the "staff" were often just as entertaining as the guests.