Hard to believe watching this for the first time in 2018 that this movie is almost two decades old. Since it reflects the 70's and 80's it's impossible to really know the year it was released without research. That's good as it could have been made recently. What's not recent is Howard Stern's journey to his final medium of satellite radio. A medium that could have hardly been imagined when he started his career In many ways the no restrictions of his SiriusXM show almost seems as if the very medium was made for Howard. This is the story of how he got to be the highest paid radio personality in the United States. It certainly wasn't a smooth ride as Howard's style challenged the radio industry and FCC.Howard is polarizing in so many ways. The thing is he is quite real. He is an entertainer and he just wants to have fun with his audience and guests with few limits. If you listen to Howard at any length you begin to not dwell on how he's different, but how he's as human as you and me. Fortunately he's also quite interesting and, in spite of his vulgarity, one of broadcastings best interviewers. When this movie ends Howard has conquered NYC. It's entirely possible, as happens so often in the entertainment world, Howard could have managed to become irrelevant. That never happened though and Howard's star continued to rise with troubles and all. I think one of the best things in the movie is how Howard was a old-fashioned conservative deep down when it came to loyalty to others, love, and his religious views. Yes, Howard is human and actually a pretty nice guy. I get the feeling his first wife, Allison, was a bit of a sweetheart of a person herself. I wonder what happened between them as the movie stops before their marriage dissolved. They seemed so made for one another all one can say is this part of Howard's life is for another time. The movie is really interesting and entertaining. You may say I'm overstating, but like The Beatles there won't ever be another Howard Stern and I think the movie just scratches that surface nicely.

Personally I am a massive fan of Howard Stern and I actually watched this movie with my grandparents who aren't fans but because of this movie they have gained respect for the radio genius. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Highly reccomended!

In the early 2000's I would hear from a family friend about how good the Howard Stern book Private Parts was,and I was disappointed to find out that none of his infamous radio show could be heard or seen in the UK. Since finding recordings (and becoming a fan of) of Stern's show online,I took part in an ICM poll for the best movies of 1997,and was surprised to learn from fellow IMDber Red-Barracuda of a Stren bio- pic from the year,which led to me tuning into this special episode.The plot:After visiting the radio station his dad worked at,Howard Stern begins to dream of hosting his own radio show. Meeting his future wife Alison whilst working on college radio,Stern moves on to local radio. Closely following all the rules, Stern's shows hardly get any listeners. Trying to think of how to turn his luck around,Stern decides to push the boundaries of taste of radio, by being himself.View on the film:Going between hosting his radio show in the morning and shooting this movie the rest of the day, Howard Stern actually gives a very good performance as himself! Re-enacting some of his most taboo- breaking moments, Stern captures the ruckus energy of each broadcast pushing the lines of decency in mainstream radio. Whilst it is all about him, Stern surprisingly does not shy away from really bringing out the neurotic side of the "character", with Stern's inability to handle extremely emotional moments, leading to snappy exchanges between Stern (who was originally going to be played by Jeff Goldblum) and his wife Alison, (played by the charming Mary McCormack.) with Paul Giamatti also biting everyone's arm off as irritated radio manager Kenny (talk about this being a challenging role for Giamatti!)Bringing Stern's show from the airwaves to the screen, director Betty Thomas & cinematographer Walt Lloyd give each broadcast a flight of fantasy atmosphere,where each sex act is heightened to the most fantastical level. Adapting Stern's book and radio show, the screenplay by Lee Blum and Michael Kalesniko criss-cross raunchy sex comedy set-pieces with a playfully quirky wit,that is hilariously undressed in Stern never finding a station where he fits in,and the private parts get exposed.

Private Parts (1997): Dir: Betty Thomas / Cast: Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, Mary McCormack, Paul Giamatti, Carol Alt: Intimate look at controversial radio personality Howard Stern and our commitment to listen. According to the film Stern wanted to be in radio since childhood inspiration of his father. It chronicles his childhood to college where he meets his wife, to small radio jobs. He is soon partnered with Robin Quivers and has bitter battles with station managers. Although it seems self gratifying the film is insightful despite Stern's questionable antics. The film takes its subject seriously as when he attempts to mend his marriage, and the miscarriage that led to unfavourable discussions on his show. Directed by Betty Thomas and easily one of the greatest achievements of her career. Stern is convincing in his self portrait blending reality and humour. Quivers plays herself in her loyalty with Stern as well as her struggle to maintain sane even at the cost of her job. Mary McCormack plays his supportive yet frustrated wife who would like to believe that her husband's on air rantings are just a joke. Paul Giamatti steal scenes as a station manager who falls victim to Stern's perseverance. Carol Alt makes a cameo as a woman reluctantly seated by Stern on a plane but eventually becomes won over. The film argues that there is an ordinary side to Stern that challenges viewers to look beyond the cover. Score: 9 / 10