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Howard Stern Pranks Media with Andy Cohen Gag, Sparks False Reports of Departure from SiriusXM
Major news organizations, including the Associated Press and CNBC, fell victim to a clever ruse orchestrated by Howard Stern on Monday. The radio icon executed an elaborate prank, which initially suggested his program had been removed from SiriusXM.
Stern, frequently the focus of speculation regarding his future with the network as his contract nears expiration at the end of the year, was expected to make a live appearance on the air. However, listeners were taken by surprise when Bravo host Andy Cohen occupied his chair as the broadcast kicked off.
Shock and Confusion for Listeners
As listeners tuned in, they were greeted by Cohen’s unexpected voice. “This is, I know, not the voice that you expected to hear, this is not the voice that you probably wanted to hear, but it is I, Andy Cohen, and this is our first day broadcasting on Andy 100. I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard and this is actually not how things were meant to go,” Cohen remarked, skillfully setting the tone for the prank.
Cohen continued to stoke the fires of confusion. “There has been a lot of talk about what’s going to happen with Howard, is he fired? I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say except that he’s not here, and I am. Howard and the executive team at SiriusXM felt that it was best to, kind of, part ways now,” he added, maintaining a humorous disposition throughout the act.
Media Outlets Fall for the Gag
The prank unfolded over several minutes, during which Cohen even encouraged Stern’s loyal listeners to give his show a chance. Stern later joined the broadcast, acknowledging Cohen’s role in the humorous predicament. He cleared the air regarding rumors about his departure from SiriusXM, labeling them as “completely false.”
Stern took credit for steering the prank, stating, “Lest anyone think that was real, that was all masterminded by me.” He emphasized ongoing conversations with SiriusXM regarding his future on the network. “SiriusXM and my team have been talking about how we go forward in the future. They’ve approached me, they’ve sat down with me like they normally do, and they’re fantastic,” he explained, quelling concerns about his status.
Repercussions in the News World
The Associated Press quickly published a misleading story that later required a correction. An editor’s note accompanied the revised article, stating, “This story first was published on Sept. 8, 2025. It was updated on Sept. 8, 2025, to correct that Howard Stern is not leaving SiriusXM and an announcement of his departure was a prank.” This incident underscores the challenges faced by media outlets in verifying breaking news.
On CNBC, anchors Andrew Ross Sorkin and Rebecca Quick delivered the erroneous “breaking news.
