2009 saw Artie increasingly volatile, creating must-listen radio during his confrontations with staff and guests. Accessing the 2009 Howard Stern Archive
2009 was the darkest and most compelling year for the legendary comedian. While his addiction had been a subplot for years, 2009 brought it to the forefront.
Eric’s segments in 2009 are legendary. His stubborn demands, his absolute refusal to say what Howard wanted, his elaborate schemes to get into acting (including his memorable appearances on shows like Fringe ), and his constant friction with Johnny Fratto made for radio gold.
The year 2009 stands as one of the most volatile, transformative, and culturally significant eras in the history of The Howard Stern Show . Operating in his fourth year on SiriusXM satellite radio, Stern had fully weaponized his subscription-based freedom. Unbound by the FCC regulations that had restricted him for decades on terrestrial radio, the 2009 archive captures a unique cultural time capsule. It caught a master broadcaster at the peak of his uncensored powers, just before the show began its gradual evolution toward mainstream, high-profile celebrity interviews. Howard Stern Archive 2009
By mid-2009, listeners noted Howard’s growing frustration as Artie’s on-air behavior became increasingly erratic, leading to his eventual departure from the show following a suicide attempt in early 2010. 🎬 Major 2009 Milestones
The 2009 archives are notable for the premiere of extensive retrospective content:
The 2009 archive represents the end of an era for The Howard Stern Show . Following Artie Lange's departure, the show slowly began to re-invent itself. The chaotic, multi-voice bullpen atmosphere gradually transformed into a more controlled environment, eventually leading to Howard's role as a judge on America's Got Talent and a shift toward high-profile, mainstream celebrity profiles. Eric’s segments in 2009 are legendary
This resource provides a comprehensive, episodic list of daily shows from January 2009 through December 2009, including classic episodes like 2009-01-05 and ending around 2009-12-17.
, a longtime field reporter, was fired in 2009, leading to an on-air confrontation where Howard expressed resentment over negative comments Garver made about the show.
The reaction was polarized. Some fans feared it would dilute the radio show. "Sell-out" cries were heard on the phone lines. Others saw it as a brilliant strategic move—a way for Howard to prove to Middle America that he was a smart, insightful broadcaster, not just a "shock jock." Operating in his fourth year on SiriusXM satellite
Already a close friend of the show, Kimmel’s 2009 appearances sat at the perfect intersection of fan-boy appreciation and late-night host stardom.
But in 2009, none of that was decided yet. Instead, 2009 stands in the archive as a year of high-stakes poker, incredible personal evolution, and a show that had fully settled into its new satellite home. It was the year Howard Stern stopped being just a radio host and started becoming a mainstream pop-culture utility player.
2009 was tragically the final full year for comedian Artie Lange on the show. The archive captures the painful, gripping, and deeply honest reality of Artie’s battles with addiction. From his infamous on-air nodding-out episodes to his explosive arguments with Howard, Robin Quivers, and production staff, 2009 represents a dark but unforgettable chapter in the show's history.
The 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.
Unlike the automated playlists of today, 2009 archives generally consist of daily MP3 files ranging from 3 to 4 hours. Because the show was live on Sirius (channels 100 and 101), bootleggers captured the East Coast feed. Key episodes to look for: