Howard Stern Squashes Rumors: He’s Not Leaving SiriusXM After 20 Years

I’m Avery Sinclair, a no-nonsense journalist with a healthy dose of skepticism, here to give you the lowdown on the latest celebrity gossip. I’ve got my finger on the pulse of the entertainment industry, and I’m not afraid to spill the tea.

The speculation was rampant: was Howard Stern leaving his SiriusXM show after two decades? The rumors had been swirling for weeks, with fans and media outlets alike wondering if the 71-year-old radio host was hanging up his microphone for good. But Stern, known for his irreverent style and sharp wit, quickly put the rumors to rest during a September 8 broadcast.

It all started when Andy Cohen, the Bravo personality, took over Stern’s time slot briefly, claiming he was going to rebrand the show as “Andy 100.” Cohen’s on-air segment was a clever prank, but it also fueled the speculation that Stern was indeed leaving SiriusXM. “I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go,” Cohen said during his segment. “This was supposed to be a cleaner handoff—I’m kind of winging it.”

But Stern was quick to shut down the rumors, telling his listeners, “I am very happy at SiriusXM.” It’s a relief for fans who have been tuning in to his show for nearly 20 years. The show even posted a compilation of the rumors on social media to promote its upcoming season, with a tongue-in-cheek video trailer that poked fun at the speculation.

The trailer, titled “The tabloids have spoken,” featured snippets of reports claiming Stern was fired or canceled, with one reporter ominously declaring, “the guillotine is coming for Howard Stern.” The video cleverly shut down the speculation by confirming Stern’s September 2 return—which was later delayed to September 8.

While Stern is staying put, several other stars have announced their exits from popular shows. Saturday Night Live stars Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker all announced within days of each other that they would not be returning for the sketch comedy series’ 51st season. Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL, while Wakim exited after just one season.

Bravo’s Jax Taylor also announced he would not be returning to The Valley for season three, citing concerns about his behavior during the show’s second season. “Right now, my focus needs to be on my sobriety, my mental health, and coparenting,” Taylor shared in July 2025. “Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself—especially for our son, Cruz.”

Other stars who have exited popular shows include Sofia Mattsson, who left General Hospital after seven years playing Sasha Gilmore, and Mehcad Brooks, who shocked fans by leaving Law & Order ahead of season 25. Tracy Ifeachor also walked away from The Pitt after the medical drama’s breakout first season.

Pedro Pascal’s exit from The Last of Us was perhaps expected, given his character’s storyline in the show. But it’s clear that fans are going to miss these stars, and their exits will be felt in the entertainment industry.

And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed