Howard Stern had the internet buzzing this week after pulling off a wild radio stunt — and now Andy Cohen is setting the record straight on how it all went down.
The Bravo boss says he wasn’t the mastermind behind the viral prank that had listeners and major media outlets convinced Stern was leaving SiriusXM. According to Andy, this was all Howard’s brilliant — and mischievous — idea.
The Fake “Howard Stern Is Out” Saga
On Monday, SiriusXM fans were blindsided when Andy Cohen stepped into Howard Stern’s slot and told listeners the King of All Media was out. The move instantly sparked headlines from major outlets like Variety and the Associated Press, reporting Stern’s supposed departure.
But as it turns out, the whole thing was a prank.
“It was Howard’s plan — he came up with the whole thing,” Andy told TMZ photographers in New York City after the chaos. “I was just happy to go along with it.”
The Reaction: Fans, Media, and Pure Mayhem
Cohen admitted it was hilarious watching how quickly the ruse spread, especially as entertainment reporters scrambled to push out stories.
“Some people were mad, some thought it was funny,” Andy shared. “But that was the beauty of Howard’s idea — it was believable enough to fool everyone.”
Listeners flooded social media with anger, confusion, and disbelief, only to be greeted by Stern himself when he finally returned to the mic to reveal the truth.
Howard’s Clapback
When Stern jumped back on-air, he wasted no time roasting the media for running with the story. He assured fans that despite all the rumors, he wasn’t going anywhere.
The prank also gave him the perfect platform to poke fun at ongoing speculation about his future at SiriusXM — speculation fueled by the fact that his $500 million contract is set to expire this year.
Contract Talk: Will Stern Stay at SiriusXM?
The radio legend has been a fixture at SiriusXM since 2006, and his latest mega-deal is reportedly up for renewal in 2025. While negotiations have yet to be finalized, Stern’s comments suggest he’s likely to stick around.
For now, he seems to be enjoying the chaos — using the prank to both troll the media and reassure fans he’s not walking away anytime soon.
Andy Cohen: Happy Accomplice
Cohen, who has long been friends with Stern, said he was thrilled to be part of the hijinks. For him, the joy was in watching the world get played by Howard’s genius setup.
And with Stern proving once again why he’s one of the greatest entertainers in radio history, Andy was more than happy to help stir the pot.
What’s Next for Stern
All eyes are now on SiriusXM’s contract negotiations with Stern. Will the platform lock him in for another historic deal, or could this prank end up foreshadowing real news down the road?
Either way, Howard Stern just reminded everyone why his name still dominates headlines nearly 50 years into his career.
What do you think — was Stern’s prank hilarious or over the line? Should the media have fact-checked harder before reporting? Drop your thoughts below.
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