Jerry Seinfeld, the renowned comedian, recently offered an apology to esteemed radio personality Howard Stern for remarks that attracted considerable criticism.
During an appearance on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast, hosted by Dana Carvey and David Spade, Seinfeld discussed Stern’s humor. He implied that despite Stern’s role in establishing the comedy podcast format, newer voices in the industry have since surpassed him.
The 70-year-old Seinfeld, known for his popular sitcom from the 90s and a prosperous stand-up comedy career, expressed remorse over his choice of words. “I truly regret what I said about my friend Howard Stern,” Seinfeld disclosed. “I intended to suggest he might feel encircled, yet I chose ‘outflanked,’ which unfortunately came off as harsh and derogatory.”
Seinfeld, fresh from his directorial debut on Netflix, acknowledged Stern as a “great interviewer”. However, he remarked that the newer podcasts, like that of Carvey and Spade, adopt a more cooperative and less aggressive comedic style. This statement was seen as a critique of Stern’s more traditional approach, sparking extensive online debate.
In his apology, Seinfeld acknowledged his misjudgment and reaffirmed his lasting friendship with Stern, whom he affectionately calls Howie. “Obviously, these smaller programs pose no challenge to his major show. It was wrong, and I apologize, Howie. I still have great affection for you. Please forgive me,” Seinfeld said, underlining his ongoing respect for Stern.
Howard Stern, also 70 and dubbed the “King of All Media,” has been a transformative figure in radio with his frank and audacious style. His career started in 1975 at Boston University’s WBTU station, and he gained national recognition with his self-titled show, which aired from 1986 to 2005. In 2005, Stern transitioned to SiriusXM, which marked a significant shift as it allowed him unrestricted creative expression away from FCC regulations. Since then, Stern has conducted interviews with numerous high-profile guests, including a recent one with President Joe Biden, showcasing his interviewing skills beyond his initial shock jock persona.
Howard Stern subsequently shared his thoughts on Jerry Seinfeld criticizing his sense of humor, claiming he lacks comedic talent. Stern mentioned that the critique initially took him by surprise and left him puzzled, especially since they had a strong friendship. However, Stern expressed that when Seinfeld reached out to apologize, he was completely willing to let bygones be bygones.
During an interview on “The Howard Stern Show,” the host shared, “I came across Jerry’s remarks and thought to myself, ‘Hmm, that’s odd,’ given that Jerry is someone we consider a close friend. In particular, his spouse, Jessica [Seinfeld], shares a strong friendship with Beth [Stern].”
Stern mentioned that when Jerry reached out to clarify that his statements didn’t accurately reflect his intentions, he immediately reassured him that it wasn’t a big deal, everything was fine, and that there was no need for an apology. However, Jerry persisted in expressing his regret, which ultimately led Stern to accept his apology.
