"The only thing bigger than Howard's ego is…The Internet." So begins the book, "The Incredible Internet Guide to Howard Stern." Written by James R. Flowers, Jr. and published in 2000, this book is a decent guide for finding everything Howard on the web--and there is PLENTY to find. Although Howard's official site, howardstern.com, rarely has more than 2 photos on it (the Internet is just not ready for what he wants to do), it is his loyal fans that have helped Howard dominate yet another form of media.
According to popular web search engines like Yahoo, The King of All Media is at or near the top each year for most searched for celebrity, and for good reason. Mr. Flowers in his book estimates that "Howard's fans have created over 1200 web sites devoted to Howard Stern and related material."

I decided early on that if my tribute to Howard was to be all inclusive as I intended, the internet and even the fans themselves would have to be represented somehow. With that in mind, I sought autographs not just from people who were connected to the Show like the crew, Wack Packers and interesting guests, but also ones from people who most likely would never be on the show but who were nevertheless extremely devoted to it--the Super Fans. And what better people to represent this group than the webmasters of some of the more popular Stern fan websites. The first autograph I received from this special group was from "Mutt", the owner and webmaster of the popular Stern message board, "The Sternfannetwork". After I had finished my first Shrine display case I made a short home-video of it and sent out copies to a few of the folks that had contributed. One of those who made that mailing list was Crazy Cabbie. Apparently liking what he saw, Cabbie passed his copy on to the people of the Howard Stern Saturday night CBS show. Shortly after I was contacted by Show representatives--first by Rohit Sang via email followed by Peter Fowkes by phone, and a date was scheduled to come and film the shrine with plans to interview me for an Extreme Fan segment. I was to be hidden in the shadows with my voice

altered--an Extreme Fan who had to hide his true identity for fear of persecution. Seemed like a funny bit (Thank you very much) and Scott Einzinger agreed. And it was not all that far from the truth. I mean let's face it, many of my patients have commented on how beautiful the flowered doors of the shrine are but I don't know what they would think if they knew that signed photos of naked strippers, porn stars, KKK Klansmen and the like were hidden behind them or, for that matter, how they would feel if they knew the story of the man responsible for the beautiful art: Robert Mapplethrope.

Mapplethrope, a Long Island native, like Howard was a very controversial artist who died of AIDS in 1989. Very gay and very big into S&M, he is perhaps best remembered for his work X Portfolio and the retrospective show of his art, "The Perfect Moment" which also supported Andreas Serrano and his piece Piss Christ (a crucifix suspended in urine ). Their controversial art sparked landmark Senate debates about the NEA and Government funding for questionable art. Even the samples of his "Flowers", that grace the Shrine doors, are known for their eroticism. Check out all those phallic symbols and those oh so inviting open petals. Sure makes me feel all funny down there. (ah....from the petals) I'm sure someone really smart could help explain the incredible deep meaning and symbolism of having this artist and this work hide the contents of the Howard Stern shrine. Unfortunately, that person isn't me. I'm a bit on the stupid side.

Once the filming date was set I contacted Mutt and told him that he had just days to get me a signed bumper sticker (There was no room for anything else) and if he could I would include it for the filming--a possible major plug on CBS for his fairly new website. Mutt came through just in time. Only one problem: 'Hello, this is Peter Fowkes again. We thought you were near Philly. Sorry, but we are going to have to reschedule at a later time.' It was such a thrill when the Show first read one of my letters on the air, like a heroin addict needing his next fix I got into the practice of trying to get other mentions on the air. And whenever I did, whether it was when Jeff the Vomit Master Levy thanked me in his acceptance speech after winning an FEMMY, when Cabbie asked Howard if a fan he knew could stand in for him in the Nicest Penis Contest, when Yaqi the tickler thanked me for hosting his press release or even when Howard would call someone a "True Fan" of the Show, HAHA!! I called it an "almost appearance." A few weeks ago when Howard mentioned that he had read my Jeff the Drunk article, that was "almost appearance" number 40 and probably the best one of them all. But in this instance with the CBS folks the phrase "almost appearance" took on a whole new meaning. Waiting to hear back from the Show again I finally received a phone call from Peter Fowkes months later. He apologized and told me that their schedule was so busy they had to postpone the Shrine filming to the next season. The next season never came. The show was canceled. HAHAHA!! .The ultimate "almost appearance" I thought. Oh well. It was never my intention or dream to get on the Show or become famous in anyway, like some have said (I'm a bit on the shy side) but if they wanted to do something, for the good of the Show, I would be ready . I have been lurking in the shadows ever since.

It wasn’t long after this that a second display was added in an old x-ray darkroom and I began giving tours. Mutt and fellow superfan Joey Boots were among the first people to come and tour the new shrine. Afterwards Joey Boots commented that "Every Stern fan at least one time in their life needs to make a pilgrimage to the shrine." Spending nearly 4 hours inspecting the shrine, drinking all the Heinekins I had ready for them, and taking pictures, they both signed the guest book on their way out. Since my tribute to Howard and the show is a collection of autographs, when visitors tour the shrine and sign the guest book they too by adding their autographs become part of the tribute. Thanks to the guest book idea the fans were now represented like I wanted. And not just superfans like Mutt or Boots but also more casual fans like Vic The Barber, an autograph collector himself ; Dennis the Dentist who is responsible for the replica of the Beetlejuice tooth now housed in the shrine (the original was recently returned); Joe D., a patient who donated a pack of matches from SCORES he picked up on a trip to the Big Apple and; Andrew who gave me his only Drunken Jamie autograph after the first one he sent got lost in the mail. To further help represent Howard's presence on the web I decided to try and add more Stern webmasters and over the years I have managed to add a few from the more popular sites: Kevin Renzulli of koam.com sent me an old newsletter of his signed; Ray Carl of CarlFm.com sent me a signed pic to help display Sean Deewhiterapper's toenail; Dr.Ivan of THSMB.com made a plaque just for the shrine; and Mark Friggin of marksfriggin.com signed and returned a computer pic of himself I had sent him. And of course included was also Dean S. Planet, The Greatest Webmaster of the Greatest Website of All-Time.

Besides building the Shrine, one other way I thought to pay tribute to Howard was to not only honor his fans by representing them in the shrine but to also goof on some of them as well. Together with a few friends we formed the renegade bad-ass internet group, The True Fans of Stern, and goofing on some of Howard's fans was exactly what we did. I'm not really sure if Howard would approve of our activities but it was fun as hell for us and for many, many others who also "Got the joke." The reason that I am mentioning all of this now is that I believe that the time has finally come. Someone else from the web has also become shrine-worthy and deserving of shrine induction. And what better article than this one to announce it!

It was 3 years ago on Halloween night that a photo was posted on Mutt’s Sternfannetwork. The photo instantly revealed to all of the members that one of its own was not only the very dark and popular mysterious mask wearing "drbigcock" but also his arch nemesis the despised and smarmy, smiley faced "Sante." Who knew then that years later this one prank would create such paranoia that many new members today on that message board as well as others are accused of first being him until proven otherwise. For better or worse, no one can deny the tremendous impact that he has had on the Stern internet community since.

Ladies and Gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to present our newest member to the Howard Shrine: Founder and curator of the Howard Shrine, Mastermind of the True Fans of Stern, Stern celebrity journalist and Internet legend---------Doc, THE GREATEST HOWARD STERN FAN OF ALL-TIME!!!

I want to first of all thank Dean for believing in me when things seem to be at their lowest and for giving me this wonderful opportunity to share my stories and my passion. Thank you so much for all the help, the time, the patience, and friendship . Many thanks also to all the fans who have written me with words of support and encouragement over the years. Thanks to all of my fellow Stern celebrities who have contributed to the shrine by way of autographs, memorabilia and really cool interviews. A very special thanks to the True Fans of Stern (Mr. Anus, Wet Sloppy Pussy, Sire, Shy Fox, and the others) and to our many friends and fans who understood our humor, our purpose, and saw the bigger picture. And of course thank you Howard Stern and the Greatest Radio Show in the history of mankind. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Keep up the Good work. The Show has never been better!!!!!

In closing, what article of mine would be complete without an interview? With written permission from the publisher the following is a reprint of the email interviews Mr. Flowers did for his book with some of the Stern webmasters a few years ago.