Wack Pack Explained

The Wack Pack is the name given to an assortment of personalities heard throughout the history of The Howard Stern Show. As a parody of the Rat Pack or Brat Pack, Stern biographer Richard Mintzer has labeled them a key part of the show. Members tend to be unusual in some way: being blatantly racist, mentally disabled, having a comical appearance, voice or ability, or some combination thereof. As of 2023, twenty-two living individuals are designated "Wack Packers"[1] (along with a number of deceased). Not every regular guest on or caller to the show is considered a member, nor are any of the show's staff members; Stern has stated that Wack Packers are not defined by having any disability or peculiarity, but by their inability to understand why they are funny.

Through their appearances on the radio show, some Wack Packers have gained notoriety for personal appearances around the country and occasionally, played roles in films and television programs.[2]

History

In the 1993 book Private Parts, Howard Stern lists early members of the Wack Pack, including Irene the Leather Weather Lady, who is essentially the first Wack Packer, having met Stern in May 1980 when he was broadcasting from WWWW in Detroit, Michigan. Upon the introduction of Fred the Elephant Boy on the radio show on November 28, 1988, among a collection of others, Stern began calling the group of show personalities the "Wack Pack" on July 6, 1990, as documented in Stern's The History of Howard Stern radio series. Since moving to Sirius XM Radio, Stern has offered some members of the Wack Pack their own shows.

Official list

On February 24, 2015, Stern and crew voted on an "official" list of Wack Pack members.

Living Wack Packers

The following individuals are official[3] Howard Stern Show Wack Pack members:

Former Wack Packers

"Not Wack Pack Material"

The following individuals were at one time considered Wack Pack members. However, since 2015, they were excluded by Stern and his staff from the Wack Pack for reasons including their ability to hold a job and function in society, while still having a funny or unusual personality.

Deceased Wack Packers

The following individuals were determined to be Wack Pack members either by Stern and his staff or by other sources prior to their death:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Choosing the official Wack Pack. https://web.archive.org/web/20150310023449/http://www.howardstern.com/howard-on-air/howard-100-101/2015-02-24?mode=full . HowardStern.com . March 10, 2015 . February 9, 2017.
  2. Mintzer, p. 88
  3. Web site: February 24, 2015. Official Wack Pack List: Who's In and Who's Out?. November 23, 2020. Howard Stern. en-US.
  4. Web site: Wednesday, March 18, 2015. HowardStern.com. March 21, 2015.
  5. Web site: Take the Wack Pack Christmas Wish List Quiz . Howard Stern . December 9, 2020 . September 15, 2021.
  6. Web site: August 22, 2017. Howard Celebrates 20 Years of High Pitch Erik on the Stern Show. November 23, 2020. Howard Stern. en-US.
  7. Web site: AUDIO: High Register Sean Teaches Howard About 'Dog Men' and the Dangers They Pose. Howard Stern. May 15, 2019 . en. June 30, 2019.
  8. Web site: Take the Wack Pack Christmas Wish List Quiz . Howard Stern . December 9, 2020 . September 15, 2021.
  9. Web site: Walk of Shame: Steve From Florida Hits the Streets of NYC Wearing Next to Nothing . Howard Stern . June 28, 2017 . July 13, 2017.
  10. News: Howard Stern personality 'King Of All Blacks' files discrimination suit against City of Englewood. NJ.com. December 24, 2016.
  11. Web site: Debbie Tay - Biography - IMDb. .
  12. Web site: Zeitlin. Janine. July 3, 2008. Psychics Choose Obama. January 8, 2022. Miami New Times. en.
  13. Web site: Persaud. Navi. July 27, 2015. Wack Packer Fred The Elephant Boy & His Fanny Pack Visit Howard Stern. November 23, 2020. Empty Lighthouse Magazine. en.
  14. Web site: De Vlieger . Matt . 2023-01-04 . Howard Stern's Elephant Boy is Dead . 2023-01-04 . MSN . en-US.
  15. News: Sacramento resident and Stern show regular Eric the Actor dies . Bill . Lindelof . . September 22, 2014 . February 9, 2017.
  16. Web site: Warren. Michael Sol. March 14, 2017. Joey Boots, part of Stern's 'Wack Pack', died of overdose. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220108230026/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2017/03/joey_boots_howard_stern_wack_pack_member_died_of_h.html. January 8, 2022. January 8, 2022. NJ.com. en.
  17. Web site: Rubinkam . Michael . Howard Stern regular Kenneth Keith Kallenbach dies in prison . Tucson.com . April 25, 2008 . Howard Stern regular Kenneth Keith Kallenbach dies in prison.
  18. Web site: January 19, 2022. Howard Pays Tribute to Marfan Mike. January 19, 2022. Howard Stern. en-US.
  19. Web site: Nicole Bass — Passes Away While Surrounded by Friends and Family After Life Support Was Removed. Ryan Satin. Ryan. Satin. February 17, 2017. December 11, 2018. Pro Wrestling Sheet.
  20. Web site: Howard Stern Show's Alien Expert Riley Martin Dies. December 11, 2018. tmz.com.
  21. Web site: Obituary for David J. VanDam  — Skokie, Ill.. www.donnellanfuneral.com. en. December 11, 2018.
  22. Web site: The Iron Sheik, Villainous Hall of Fame Wrestler, Is Dead. Slotnik. Daniel. June 7, 2023. www.nytimes.com. en. August 19, 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Wack Pack".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.