If you are a casual listener who just wants the "Best of" bits, stick to YouTube. But if you are a —someone who wants to hear the five minutes before the first commercial break, the whispered staff arguments, and the raw, unfiltered chaos of Howard at his financial and creative peak—then hunting down the howard stern archive 2009 exclusive is a pilgrimage you must take.
: 2009 was the final year for Artie Lange on the show; Howard Stern ultimately cut ties following Lange's escalating addiction issues and a suicide attempt in early 2010.
If you are looking to revisit this era or understand why 2009 is so highly regarded, here is a deep dive into what makes these archives essential listening.
