Rev. Bob Levy interview: Veteran comic talks comedy, radio business, and his break from Howard Stern


If you’ve listened to the Howard Stern Show since his move to Sirius satellite radio (currently Sirius/XM) or are a subscriber of Howard TV (Stern’s On Demand cable channel), you are probably well versed with the irreverent comedy of the Reverend Bob Levy. Despite his popularity on the show, he recently cut the cord with the King of all Media. In regards to Stern’s position on satellite radio, Levy explains, “if Howard leaves, there’s no station. If Howard stays, there’s no room for us…” Levy explains that the premise of his contention with the show stems from not being properly compensated for his many contributions to the program, and then, as he describes, being browbeaten by Stern for having plugs that ran at the end of the show. The world’s most successful radio broadcaster’s contract with Sirius was highly publicized as a $500 million deal for a five-year term. Apparently, this not only included the actual Howard Stern Show, but also the programming of two Stern branded channels on the satellite radio service. However, Levy contends that his own deal with the show did not involve monetary payment, instead he was to receive a brief commercial at the end of each show plugging his stand-up performances. Levy further explains that his compensation for creating and hosting the Miserable Men Show, which airs on the radio mogul’s Howard 101 channel, involved payments of only $100 per show. (Note: These statements have not been confirmed with the Stern Show or Sirius/XM for this interview.) Levy further states that he had to sever his relationship with the show after his plugs were threatened and subsequently pulled from Stern’s show.

Levy is a long-time stand-up comedian who’s appeared on and has written for other syndicated radio programs including The Kidd Chris Show and The Opie and Anthony Show. However, due to the show’s stature, Bob is best known from Stern’s programs. Besides being a regular guest and often talked about on the show, listeners have become acquainted with the comedian as the coordinator and host of several roasts aired both on Stern’s radio and television programming. As well, Levy has headlined the Killers of Comedy tour with other Stern affiliated comedians and regulars. Levy also created the Miserable Men program that airs on Stern’s Howard 101 channel on Sirius/XM.

Here’s the interview:

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4 COMMENTS

  1. Miserable Men isn’t the same without you Bob. You should come back. Either way good luck to you.

  2. What a fucking retard. If you heard those plugs before Howard did something about it, they were fucking insane. Literally Bobs gig being repeated like 6 times plus a plug to his website…. howard just said knock the shit off cause bob was clearly taking advantage.

    And as to him not being compensated for his time. We’ll see what he thinks when no one knows his name(AGAIN) and he’ll wish he never let that plug-fest MM show go.

    I must also state my bias that I never found bob funny. Maybe that’s why I think hes a retard. Or maybe he is a retard.

  3. $100 bucks a show for Levy? Too much… he’s not that funny… wake up Levy, you’re like a ‘Y’, possibly a ‘Z’ list celebrity.

    Why the hell wouldn’t he just drop his plugs when he hosted the Miserable Men Show? How can anyone censor your live broadcast?

    Levy knew the terms of the deal when he went on the air… sounds like he’s trying to play hardball with a company trading at $1.50ish a share. Sirius/XM is broke. AND (again) Levy is a zero.

    However, let’s call a spade a spade. If Levy was that funny, or talented, or creative, he’d have a job and be compensated for it. Jackie-the-Jokeman felt underpaid and left the show… great career move for Jackie. Levy, look forward to never hearing about you again.

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