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Stern's 'Private Parts' surprisingly sensitive

March 5, 1997
Web posted at: 11:15 p.m. EST

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Between nightly appearances on the E! cable network, a radio show that airs in 35 markets, and a best-selling book, it's difficult to avoid Howard Stern. Amidst the talk show banter, it's almost impossible to miss the news that Stern has a movie opening this weekend.

"Private Parts" is based on Stern's best-selling 1993 memoir, and stars -- who else? -- Stern as himself. Even before its opening, the movie has already spawned the top-selling album in the nation, another feather in the cap of the self-proclaimed "King of All Media."

"I wanted to show my private parts, and I don't mean my genitals," Stern said. "I thought my story was always rather Rocky-esque. Here's a guy who was told by his father he's an idiot," in an episode recounted in the film.

The elder Stern was not the last to voice that opinion.

Stern's struggles with station management and repeated firings provide the comic backbone of the film. It is no surprise that Stern and his radio "family" (who also play themselves) re-enact some of their wilder radio antics, some of which have resulted in fines from the Federal Communications Commission -- a record $1.7 million.

More surprising, though, is a tug at the heartstrings, and a nod to family values. Stern's faithful devotion to his wife Alison (played by Mary McCormack of "Murder One") is the dirty little secret of "Private Parts," in print and on film. They have three children.

"That's the only interesting thing to show. Let's face it," Stern said. "If I did a movie that showed you me running around the studio spanking women, you'd say, 'You know what? I see that on E! every night, and I hear it on the radio. I get that for free.'"

Still, Stern rejects the suggestion that the love story in "Private Parts" is an effort to sanitize his image.

"Even in my relationship with my wife, I tried to show it warts and all," he said. "We have our problems. Our problem is that I have this radio show where I'm brutally honest. And it involves my wife. I'm talking about our sex life, and she has real problems with it."

"What's the most asked question I get? It's 'Who would marry Howard Stern?' I think you walk away saying, 'I understand why she's with him.'"

What next for Stern? "I would love to do another movie," he said.

"You hear all of these actors go, 'Even lovemaking [on film] is very technical ...' Bull! You get aroused! I was on a set with women in a tub, women in bed, kissing and making out. And also they walk around with trays of shrimp."

"It's not that bad."

 
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