Forget Video: Radio Killed the Radio Star

With Howard Stern gone and Don Imus chastened, today's commercial radio is fighting to be heard, the Wall Street Journal reports. What's more, consolidation is depriving stations of a local touch and squelching chances for would-be stars. Plus there aren’t as many “heirs apparent,” said one analyst, “and there used to be.” One new gabber, Adam Carolla, discovered just how vexing post-Stern radio life can be.

A CBS replacement after Stern left, Carolla was paired up with high-octane co-host Danny Bonaduce. Ratings rose, but Carolla couldn't stand Bonaduce's repeated drug- and booze-filled tales. Finally CBS split them up into separate shows to relieve tension. One CBS official said the “good thing about Howard leaving is that it already happened to us.”