Howard Stern Comes Again
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | May 14, 2019 |
| Founder | Howard Stern |
| Products | Literary work |
| Parent | Simon & Schuster |
Howard Stern Comes Again represents the third literary work authored by American radio host Howard Stern, published on May 14, 2019, through Simon & Schuster. This release marks his first book in nearly a quarter-century since Miss America appeared in 1995.
Background
By the beginning of 2017, Stern had been hosting his radio program on SiriusXM for over a decade and contemplated producing a third volume, following his earlier titles Private Parts (1993) and Miss America (1995). He initiated talks with Simon & Schuster, the publisher behind Private Parts, which assigned editor and publisher Jonathan Karp to oversee the project. Although initially hesitant due to the success of his previous books, Stern was convinced when Karp presented a prototype featuring 30 selected transcripts of celebrity interviews from his show. This demonstration ultimately encouraged Stern to move forward.
Shortly before the book’s publication, Stern revealed that a health scare in 2017—a benign cyst discovered on his kidney—served as a significant impetus for writing the book.
Writing
As Stern embarked on creating the book, he broadened its scope to blend autobiographical sections with reflections on chosen interviews. He declined the initial interview selections made by Karp, instead personally examining hundreds of transcripts before narrowing down to 40 and composing introductory notes for each. Stern arranged these excerpts around thematic categories such as sex, relationships, wealth, and fame. Of particular note are his recorded conversations with Donald Trump dating back to 1995. Although Stern aimed to complete the manuscript within a year, the demanding editing process extended this period by an additional year. He devoted most weekends and vacation days to writing—a method he had used for his earlier books but vowed not to repeat. Upon finishing, Stern expressed satisfaction and pride in the final product. Global publishing rights were secured by Jonathan Kara and Sean Manning representing Stern’s agency.
Announcement
On March 12, 2019, Stern revealed the book’s title and cover during his radio broadcast. Pre-orders surged immediately, propelling it to the top position on Amazon’s best seller rankings. Following this announcement, a public disagreement unfolded with talk show host Wendy Williams, who criticized Stern for losing his edge and becoming overly "Hollywood." Stern responded on-air, advising Williams to "keep your opinion to yourself." Two months later, he issued an apology, conceding that if "Hollywood" implied evolving and transforming his show, then her observation was valid.
Content
In addition to celebrity interviews and Stern’s commentary, the book recounts his departure from terrestrial radio in 2005 and subsequent transition to SiriusXM in 2006, outlining his career developments thereafter. The Hollywood Reporter characterized Stern’s interview introductions as "a series of love letters to his subjects." Among these interviews, Stern identified his 2015 conversation with Conan O'Brien as a personal favorite.
Release and reception
Published on May 14, 2019, in both hardcover and digital editions, the book was supported by an extensive promotional campaign including press appearances as well as radio and television interviews. It debuted at number one on Amazon’s best seller list. An exclusive excerpt was featured in Rolling Stone. Furthermore, it reached the top spot on The New York Times Best Seller lists for hardcover and combined print and e-book formats.
Melissa Ruggieri of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution lauded the book as "a gorgeous compendium" that showcases Stern’s compelling narrative voice. Conversely, Maureen Callahan of the New York Post criticized it for containing only 17 pages of new personal revelations, describing the promotional efforts as "a drag" given much of the content had been previously disclosed.