Shocking News: Howard Stern and Bill Maher’s Feud Ignites Social Media Frenzy
Howard Stern and Bill Maher are on the outs.
On Tuesday’s episode of The Howard Stern Show, the 69-year-old radio personality revealed that things between him and the political commentator were tense after Maher, 67, made comments about his marriage. The remarks were made on an episode of Maher’s Club Random podcast, where he criticized Stern for outwardly expressing his love for his wife of nearly 15 years, Beth Stern, and alluded that his comments were at the detriment of his first wife, Alison Berns.
“How does this gushing about the second wife — how does that make the first wife feel? Could we just not gush about the person while the other person can still hear it?” the Real Time with Bill Maher host asked.
Stern and Berns tied the knot in 1978 but separated in 2000 and finalized their divorce in 2001. He and Beth, an animal rights activist, began dating shortly after meeting at a dinner party in 2000 and tied the knot in 2008. They’ve been together ever since.
The media personality didn’t take kindly to Maher’s comments about his relationships and claimed on Tuesday’s episode of The Howard Stern Show that he “ought to shut his mouth.”
“What a sexist thing to say! Like, what a convoluted, nutty thing to say,” Stern said, firing back. “It’s assuming that he knows something about my first marriage. That, of course, the man must be leaving the woman and the woman must be devastated and be sitting around pining away for her famous man.”
He continued, “He ought to shut his mouth! I mean, I don’t think I come on the air every day and say, ‘I love my wife.’ But I thought it was a pretty positive message, to — especially with my audience — to say to guys: ‘Instead of like ragging on our wives, how about talking about that we appreciate them and love them?'”
Arguing that Maher seemed “very worried about my relationship,” Stern revealed that he reached out to him via email and asked him to be honest about his opinions about his life.
“I wrote in an email, I said, ‘Why don’t you give me a phone call? Why don’t you tell me what you think about my life and my marriage since you’re, you know.’ But of course, he never wrote me back,” the America’s Got Talent alum claimed.
“I just wanted to see how brave he was,” he continued. “If he was brave enough to call me and actually get on the phone with me and zero response. I don’t care, though. He can think what he wants.”
“I think I’m no longer friends with him,” he added.
Reps for Maher and Stern did not immediately respond to PEOPLE‘s request for comment.
Stern got remarried to Beth back in October 2019 in a surprise wedding on The Ellen DeGeneres Show a week after he re-proposed to her during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
With Bachelor alum Colton Underwood officiating the ceremony, Stern shared his vows, “I vow if I marry you, I promise for the rest of my life to watch The Bachelor with you in bed every single night and Bachelor in Paradise.”
The pair sealed the deal with a kiss and the radio host broke a glass with his right foot, per Jewish tradition.
Stern’s on-air revelation has sparked a wave of reactions from fans and listeners on social media. Many expressed their surprise and disappointment over the fallout between the two prominent media figures. One fan tweeted, “It’s sad to see two icons like Howard Stern and Bill Maher at odds. Hope they can reconcile.” Another user commented, “Howard Stern is right to defend his wife. Bill Maher’s comments were out of line.”
Despite the public’s reaction, the tension between Stern and Maher appears to have been brewing for some time. Stern’s decision to publicly address the issue highlights the deep personal impact Maher’s comments had on him. Stern has always been known for his candidness and willingness to tackle personal topics on his show, and this instance was no different.
Maher, known for his provocative and often controversial remarks, has yet to respond to Stern’s latest comments. It remains to be seen if he will address the situation on his own platforms or if the rift between the two will continue to widen.
This feud also brings to light the broader issue of public commentary on personal relationships. While Stern’s expressions of love for his wife may be seen as over-the-top by some, they are his way of celebrating his relationship. Maher’s critique, framed as concern for Stern’s first wife, has been perceived by many as an unnecessary and intrusive commentary on a private matter.
As the story develops, fans and followers of both Stern and Maher will be watching closely to see if any reconciliation is possible. In the world of media and entertainment, where feuds and friendships are often played out in the public eye, this latest clash serves as a reminder of the complexities and sensitivities involved in personal relationships.
For now, Stern remains steadfast in his defense of his marriage and his public expressions of love for Beth. His fans, supportive as ever, continue to rally around him, echoing his sentiments and criticizing Maher for his unsolicited advice.
In the end, this incident underscores the importance of respecting personal boundaries and understanding the impact of words, especially when they touch on deeply personal aspects of someone’s life. Whether Stern and Maher can find common ground and mend their friendship remains uncertain, but the conversation they’ve sparked will undoubtedly continue to resonate with their audiences.
