Howard Stern proved that he is not your average "shock jock" in the way that he handled the news regarding the recent ongoing events.
On September 11th, millions of Americans turned to an unlikely source for coverage of the terrorist attacks on the US, Howard Stern, the self-proclaimed "King Of All Media". At about 8:50 a.m., in the middle of a discussion about Pamela Anderson, Howard Stern announced: "I don't mean to interrupt the fun, but this is a breaking news story, a serious news story. A plane has crashed into the World Trade Center." "You know what? He is preparing to sit in for Dan Rather, that's why he (Stern) is being very serious," Stern's sidekick, Robin Quivers, commented. Little did he know that he was four miles away from the world's worst terrorist attack in history and he would become a resource for information.

Stern tuned in to the live radio coverage and reported each event as it happened. Many of the show's cast of misfits became rogue reporters, giving accounts of the attack on air. "Crazy Cabbie", a fellow DJ at Stern's New York radio station, K-Rock, called in and gave an emotional statement from the roof of his Brooklyn apartment building. Cabbie, who served in the 82nd Airborne in the Gulf War, was brought to tears as he expressed his sorrow for the victims and anger for the perpetrators. "We're on the building with binoculars, and somebody said they actually saw, they think they saw somebody jump out of the building because it is on fire," Cabbie commented as he fought back tears. Among the list of show regulars who called in and gave accounts and shared information were Howard's stylist Ralph Cirillo, "The Bloated Attorney" Dominic Barbara, E! Show producer Doug Goldstein, and the so-called "King Of All Blacks".

As the sun came up Wednesday, Stern was back in the saddle. He asked himself on the air, "Why am I even here?" He got an answer from fans who called in, and Robin who strolled in a little late. "I think New York needed to hear you this morning," Robin commented as she entered the studio. Dan Rather and Peter Jennings were on the air but people were getting all the news they needed to know from Stern. One fan commented, "Howard, I just want to make it abundantly clear to you, don't in any way ever underestimate your importance to the city (New York) in sharing in times of tragedy. You did a wonderful job. I stayed with you the entire time and I found out all the news I needed to know through you".

As Friday rolled around, people from the show recognized the need for some comic relief. "Stuttering" John Melendez announced that he would be hosting a benefit called "Healing Through Laughter", which was held Sept. 15 at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City. The show featured appearances by Beetlejuice, a Stern show "Wack Pack" member who's also featured in the film "Scary Movie 2"; stand-up comedian Jim Florentine; and Craig Gass, known for his "Al Pacino's Baby" and Gene Simmons impersonations on the show.

Now more than ever, we need people like Howard Stern who make us laugh as well as think.