Private Parts (1997) User Reviews

Awesome movie! One I never get tired of watching!

[mattymatt4ever · 8/10 · 2 July 2001]

I am a big fan of Howard, and I'm sure fellow fans will also have a kick-a** time with this hilarious biopic of Stern's road to stardom. This is obviously not a professional biopic. There's even one scene, where Howard plays himself AS A TEEN!! He tries to patch it up in the voice-over by saying, "For this movie ya just have to believe." There are many hilarious antics, and if you're a fan of Stern I'm sure you will not stop laughing! If not, I can't say you'll have the time of your life. I've heard many critics say that this movie is even suited for those who disapprove of Stern's behavior. I can't say I agree, and for those who want to take the critics' word for it and give this movie a shot--enter at your own risk. Expect lots of Stern's typically crude, offensive, tasteless humor. Of course, you also get to see his sweeter side, and learn that his personality on radio does somewhat differ from that in real life. Just like Andrew Dice Clay, his crude actions are exaggerated, and he really isn't exactly like the pottymouthed jerk that the general public sees (or hears, in Howard's case). The open-minded moviegoer will probably come to that realization after viewing this movie, but others will be so turned off by Howard's crude antics that they won't feel compelled to sit through the entire running time--approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.

"Private Parts" is based on Howard's autobiography, so this is pretty much the life of Howard through the eyes of...Howard. Yet I can't say this movie is a glorification of Stern--though he obviously boasts jokingly about his God-like status among his many followers (And I'm one of them--GO HOWARD!!!). Personally, I still think there are a lot of closet Howard fans out there who are simply opposed (better yet, act like they're opposed) to him because they would feel humiliated to say they're not. There are hypocrites out there, and I know some of them. So for those of you who locked yourselves in that closet--get out and rent this movie! Stop your whining!

Many of Stern's fellow cast members on the show appear as themselves--Fred Norris, Jackie Martling, Robin Quivers, Gary Del'Abate. The other actors are good as well, especially Paul Giamatti who plays the NBC manager with a short, short fuse who springs from his seat if Howard were to utter the word "penis." Just his facial expressions alone crack me the hell up! I've never seen Howard's real wife Allison (I just found out she appears as an NBC operator, but I have to watch it again to spot her on screen), but Mary McCormack, who plays her, is absolutely BEE-U-TI-FUL!! Nice casting, Betty Thomas. She is stunning to look at, and the chemistry between she and Howard is electric. I sometimes forget that she's just PORTRAYING his wife.

If you're in the mood for Howard's comical vulgarities, gratuitous nudity, cool 80s music and a damn entertaining comedy that will never tire out--"Private Parts" is DEFINITELY worth seeing!! If you're not a Stern fan, I'm pretty sure you'll be croaking more than a sick frog, so don't start preaching your blasphemous thoughts on Howard. We really don't have the time.

My score: 8 (out of 10)

a story of success and devotion to family.

[witz-2 · 8/10 · 17 January 1999]

This movie is for everyone including those who "think" that they don't like Howard. It shows Howard as a regular guy who can do some outrageous bits. Some bits you like, some you don't. The two thoughts that I was left with leaving the theatre is 1) he is devoted to his wife and family, 2) he is a success story despite so very many obstacles. Love him or hate, all but the most prudish will enjoy this.

a look at the life of nasty Howard

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 7 May 1999]

This film documents the life and times of radio talk host Howard Stern. While his younger years are displayed in a hit and miss fashion, the years concerning his radio heyday are nicely done. He started out as a local d.j., merely spinning records and doing weather. Becoming bored with this format, he chooses to do a more spontaneous show which causes trouble with his employers. When he reaches the top of the pile at NBC, his antics become even more outrageous which catapults him to enormous fame. Vulgar, but very funny. Go on and watch it.

Good Flick

[jtfsouth · 7/10 · 19 July 2000]

I am not that much of a Howard Stern fan which is basically to say that I choose not to listen to him on account I think he is an ass.

However this movie was pretty good. I never thought I would want to learn anything about Howard Stern or even care to. This movie (if in fact that it is accurate) gave what seemed to be a good idea of what Howard Stern was all about. Basically a semi-normal guy who shares his life on the radio good and bad and likes to shock people basically.........., because he can, and some people like that. The movie was good, and the character development was a definite plus.

I realize now that he does a majority of this stuff to get that SHOCK value but like I said in the beginning, I still think he is an ass, and just about anyone around him other than Robin Quivers are just a bunch of little "yes" men and want to be in his group, just to be there.

I never was a fan of Howard Stern, but I did love this movie.

[midnitepantera · 7/10 · 16 July 2021]

I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this movie and yes, Howard Stern too in this movie. Great story, great acting, nothing like his radio show. LOL But was interesting to see how he became a huge Shock Jock. So even if you hate Howard, watch this movie, because he will surprise you too. :D.

This could have been so bad: instead, it's a masterpiece

[jgmcghie · 9/10 · 24 January 2007]

I SO enjoyed this movie.

I watched this movie without realizing until close to the end that Howard Stern was playing himself.

I was a radio announcer myself, during the period when Stern got going. This movie has the 'feel' of reality to it. I recognized so many of the people I worked with in this movie. Every radio station has some of them. The studios of the period were just like this.

Of course, this movie was severely compressed in time and space. Radio is like warfare: lengthy periods of utter boredom punctuated by periods of pure panic. We don't need to see the slow bits. Each hour of on-air radio presentation requires something like three hours of preparation: we don't see the hard work that goes into such a show.

We do see a very funny and entertaining movie. Don't forget, I was in the industry at the time this all happened: and this one feels 'real' to me.

Many autobiographical pieces by "stars" turn into awful sycophantic schmaltz-fests. This one didn't. It could have been awful. Most of this kind are. This one... is excellent.

And if you've never worked in broadcasting -- it's still very funny!

Guaranteed to laugh at least twice during this film

[xTapoutx · 6/10 · 10 June 2006]

This a funny movie. That's the bottom line. Whether you're a Howard Stern fan or not, this film has some funny material in it; not because of the dialogue, but just because of the way the characters execute it in the filming. If you're a Stern fan (which I happen to be anyway), you will most likely find this biography of his rise to fame as both a very funny movie and a lesson in life on how someone on the bottom can rise to the top through perseverance and a never ending dedication. If you're NOT a Stern fan, you will most likely still admire this film to some degree. And if you don't like it, it will certainly help you understand STern a little more and see what makes him tick.

The only major problem that I observed through this film is that it can't quite decide whether it wants to be a 100% side-splitting comedy or a touching drama with humorous elements weaved into it. Therefore, this movie kind of sits uncomfortably on the fence between comedy and drama. Although the comedic parts flow smoothly, the occasional dramatic moment comes off as cringingly awkward.

Overall a good film. I recommend it to those who aren't easily offended.

Part Comedy, Part Biography, ALL GOOD!

[walternefflives · 10/10 · 31 October 2002]

Private Parts went way beyond the call of duty. I went expecting only solid laughs. That is all I really was asking for. It delievered on all fronts: writing, directing, and acting were all top notch. It left me dumbstruck that a movie with such lowbrow humor could hand out a solid emotionally driven story at the same time. I feel this has much to do with the mix of Howard Stern's raunchy humor combined with Betty Thomas' female touch. A terrfic film.

Almost completely made up history. Why?

[headly66 · 6/10 · 3 July 2008]

The fact that this was directed by a woman turned what might have been a much raunchier film into a blandish comedy but Howard was probably looking to reach a broader audience at the time. It is a good movie, not great, but mostly a disappointment for Stern fans as it is not a real history of the events that took place. Here's some fake movie history:

Luke Perry introduced Howard as Fartman on MTV not John Stamos.

Why would Dee Snider make a face at Howard behind stage when they were great friends at the time. Oh by the way, Dee was not even there as Twisted Sister had broke up in 1988, the event was in Sept. of 1992. Neither was Flavor Flav, Ozzy, Blues Traveler, MC Hammer, or Tiny Tim, etc, etc. Also no one treated Howard that way back stage, he was very famous at the time, had a #1 book and many of the same powers to help or hurt peoples careers.

There is no song called "Mama Look-A Boo Boo" from the time Howard was driving with his father.

The dirty puppet show at the old folks home never happened.

They leave out the fact that Howard was doing bits for years before he "discovered himself" and don't show any of the many people he worked with on air over the years in college and up to NBC.

Howard was not playing punk music like the Ramones at WRNW, in fact he played mostly disco.

Howard did not meet Fred in his first minute on the air at WCCC.

Howard was never in a bathtub with Fred and an actress.

Howard didn't have long hair until the very end of his time with WNBC.

Howard did not quit on the air at WWWW when they went country.

Robin did not meet Howard on the air, they had both received tapes of each other prior to meeting and then decided to work together.

The on the air orgasm did not happen that way, it was with a small radio and sounded completely different. Technically it could not be done as shown in the movie.

Robin was not with Howard at the beginning at NBC as she quit in DC taking a straight news job after not being picked up by WNBC and blamed Howard for abandoning her. So the first night tryout for the Stern crew could never have happened with her. It also did not sound that way, they did not say sperm and gargle with it.

Their programmers nickname was pig virus, not pig vomit, why they changed this I have no clue.

The prevalence of breast implants is ridiculous in this movie, (girl on phone, girl in studio, girls in lesbian dream) this was not very common in the early 80's especially for women not in the porn or movie industry.

In the last scene at the concert (the film says July 27th 1985), Howard looked nothing like this in 1985 nor did Robin. Phil Rudd was not in AC/DC at the time, nor did Stern's wife go into labor. His kids were born in 1983, 1986 and 1993. She wasn't even pregnant at the time, their next child wouldn't be born until May 9, 1986.

I really have no problem with movies condensing or changing things a little because of time restraints or creativity but please, when you actually make things up that never happened its a little disconcerting. I mean why don't we just make a movie where Jesus is at the Battle of Waterloo, or John Lennon gets shot on a space ship or George Washington meets Hitler. The sad thing is this happens all the time and people believe its true and take it as history, just look at Braveheart where historical characters are in the same time period even though they lived 200 years apart.

Its just sad and stupid.

A self-serving and unrealistic look at a funny man

[Tiger_Mark · 5/10 · 18 November 2003]

I love Howard Stern, I admit it. He is funny and he pushes the envelope like no other person, ever. When they took him off the air in my town, I cried, literally. When Howard and Robin did the news, with Fred and Jackie cutting in, pure comedy heaven. I have bought his books as well. Now, my problem. This movie portrays Howard as this naive, babe in the big city. He floats in like an angel and is persecuted by the evil management forces. This is so false. Howard is a jerk! OK? He is a jerk and an a-hole. Anybody that has heard his show, knows this. Some of Stern's material goes so far in the gutter and deals with such horrendous topics (mocking Selena and Mother Thresa's deaths for example)that it is not even funny (literally). He gets very personal and says things about people that could never be excused. He created the term "shock jock." The shock came about by saying stuff that rattled cages. No, this bogus movie is pure fiction. It tries to make Howard a Saint and an all-around good guy. Moreover, his decency is based on his devotion to his wife (which has since ended) and his commitment to being true to his straight forward professional values. However, if he was all of those things, why would anybody listen to him? No, we want someone to spit venom for us and Howard is a viper. God Bless him!

Excellent look at the life of everybody's favorite "shock jock"

[pleiades10 · 9/10 · 8 January 2001]

Let me begin by saying that although I am a fan of shock radio (I've been a regular listener of Washington DC based duo Don & Mike for over 10 years...), I rarely get a chance to hear Howard Stern. I was only vaguely familiar with his program, and the folks on it. That being said, I absolutely LOVED "Howard Stern's Private Parts". Wait... that didn't come out right... anyway...

HSPP follows Stern's career from being the misunderstood son of a radio engineer with aspirations of the big time, through his student film days at Boston University, where he meets and marries his wife Allison, to his first big radio gig at DC101. The humor comes from Stern's slow realization that pushing the envelope was the way to garner HUGE ratings. His arguments with management, and Paul Giamatti as Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton in specific are at once both hilarious and sad, as management tries to crush Stern's free spirit.

It's also nice to see that, yes, Howard Stern is really a nice guy, a devoted friend, and a loving father, and the image that we know as "Howard Stern" is really just an act. Although he did make some questionable decisions in his life, he always stood by those who stood by him, and for that, he should be admired.

Whether you are a fan or not, check this movie out, and see if you don't come away from the experience with a smile on your face, and a respect for the self-proclaimed "King of all Media"!

Not for people who don't like Howard Stern

[triple8 · 7/10 · 8 September 2003]

I did a review of this medicore movie a few days ago but had something to add. For a Howard Stern fan It's pretty much what one would expect. But if you are not a stern fan you probebly won't like this as much as a diehard fan would, ESPECIALLY if you don't like stern at all. The movie's medicore to begin with, told entirely from stern's point of view. You really have to like stern to appreciate the movie.

I was more of a fan of his in my younger days then I am now(not much of one now honestly) which is probebly why my interest in this movie has decreased over time and I wouldn't have any interest in seeing the movie again. Any biographic movie told from the point of view of the indivual the movie's about is questionable because you don't know how accurate and true to life the story is. Most people I know who are not fans of his have not liked this movie.

Bad wig and bad acting!

[jam-72884 · 1/10 · 30 December 2019]

Old balding ugly Howie decided to put on a bad wig and phone in an embarrassing rendition of his life. This movie is terrible!

A little one-sided in it's story telling but it's all very funny

[bob the moo · 11 January 2002]

The true story of Howard Stern's "rise" from schoolboy nerd to leading DJ in the USA. This is adapted from his book and is a whirlwind ride through 30 years, with the main focus being on his career at small stations and his big break at NBC. The fact that it is from Stern himself means that the story focuses on his good sides and tends to brush over the more difficult issues relating to his insensitivity towards his wife etc, but that doesn't stop this being a funny enjoyable film.

Stern plays himself with a great sense of self - most of his jokes put himself down rather than being arrogant. This helps endear the audience to him with great effect and makes him more sympathetic. The comedy is very sharp (and rude) throughout and even if we don't get any great insights at least we have a good laugh.

Stern is good in the lead role (admittedly if he can't play himself what can he do!) And his colleagues are also good as themselves. Paul Giamatti is great as the put upon producer at NBC and the rest of the cast is filled out with weird characters. One complaint would be the copious amount of nudity in the film - I realise that it's a true story but it did seem to be put in just to get the audience at times (well....like Stern's show itself I guess).

Overall this plays like a rude Woody Allen film (funny narrative voice-overs) and it has a certain charm to it that towers over the smuttiness to make it feel a much nicer film than it is. Even if you don't know who Stern is (i.e. most people outside of America) this is a very funny enjoyable film.

Shamelessly entertaining

[shaun98 · 7/10 · 15 April 2002]

"Private Parts" makes no apologies for whom or what Howard Stern is, but it never denies the fact that much of his work is in poor taste. Let's face it, it's what he's best at. Someone famously stated that you can never overestimate the taste of the American public. Judging from Stern's ratings, he was absolutely correct. However, few will deny that his act is fascinating and often hilarious. As the film points out, even his detractors can't stop listening to him, since what he says is so damn outrageous they just have to hear what the hell he'll have to say next. I laughed several times, despite my better judgment.

Stern himself has a strong screen presence. I don't foresee an Oscar in his future (the gag at the end notwithstanding), but when the credits were rolling, I felt like I knew him better. Even if you don't like what he says, you can't help but root for him. Despite his shortcomings (at times even he admits to faulty judgment calls), he displays a strong sense of loyalty and a genuine love for his family. I was also fascinated by the look at his early life. It's hard to believe he was such a dorky nerd, but even someone like Stern has contradictions. He wasn't always such a wise guy, but was seriously hampered by his own insecurities and lack of direction. It was only by happy accident that he finally found his voice. One could only wish that everyone could do the same.

The moral: never judge a man based upon his radio show.

*** (out of ****)

Released by Paramount Pictures

If you're a fan, you'll love the movie

[jerky · 7/10 · 20 August 1999]

A very entertaining movie. Very self-serving, although that to be expected. People who hate Stern may even like the movie. Some of the most entertaining scenes are the fictional "what really happened" scenes, but if you don't care about historical accuracy, its great.

It's all just an act...

[VCRanger · 9/10 · 20 April 1999]

Let me get one this one item clear to everyone: I was not a Howard Stern fan before this movie and I am not a fan of his after this movie. However, this is one of the best autobiographical movies I have ever seen. It is thoroughly enjoyable and it shows that Stern is really just a normal, family man and his "other" persona is all schtick. I had serious reservations about watching this movie but after I did I was very happy. The basis of the movie is that if you believe in yourself, set goals and work hard you can achieve those goals. Now how can that be bad?!? A rating of 9 out of 10 was given. A final word. This is not an endorsement for Stern, but give this movie a chance. There are some very funny scenes and a most excellent story to be told.

A predictable bio-pic focusing on an unpredictable US DJ.

[Pedro_H · 6/10 · 20 October 2004]

A comedy bio-pic focusing on the rise from obscurity of America's most famous radio shock-jock.

I always say that comedy is the hardest thing to write - most comedy writers can perhaps get three minutes of use able material out of a working day for home media. You could halve that if you are talking about cinema or even TV film. For such reasons most American sitcoms are written by teams of writers.

(By the look and sound of some of them - writing alternative words!)

In my life I could perhaps name about ten people (not all are well known) that could be funny without prior warning of subject or topic. There are many others that appear to be funny on cue, but they are actually using pre-written scripts provide by others.

As the comedy writer and performer Bob Monkhouse once said "there are people that say funny things and the people that are just funny." However which is Stern? A bit of both? I would take the cop-out view and say neither!

There is something I don't like about the guy under today's microscope. A rude, ignorant and sleazy side that slips out now and then. When married he seemed to live his sex life through his guests. Maybe the man says much more about the great unwashed of America - his main audience - than we think?

Paradoxically, for someone in show-biz, I think he has an introvert and shy streak - the long hair and the dark glasses are things to hide behind. Rock disguises against looking middle-aged. On the box cover he appears half naked, holding his stomach in and lightly greased up. Looking for all the world like a clapped-out Chippendale!

Despite all presentations (in film and life) he is not really a team player. He is the king of this own castle who also wants to be the dirty rascal too!

He is too me-me-me to be any kind of give-and-take comedian - he is the custard pie thrower not a custard pie taker. Not there is any democracy in any comedy - the guy with the microphone always has the last laugh.

Despite all the hype and being new and different, he is merely a variation on the I-don't-care comedians that have gone before like Rodney Dangerfield and Don Rickles. Only they didn't use four letter words.

Stern gets fined by the US authorities for his programme, but this is part and parcel of his marketing appeal. Soon he will broadcast from space in order to say what he wants more readily. What will that be - the same-old with more obscenities?

This film is strangely limp-along at the beginning - showing Stern (playing himself in a silly wig) at college about to go out on small stations - one of which praises him for simply showing up on time! His private life (which has now included divorce) is shown as Mr Begging and Pleading - presumably to show that the radio thing is an act.

The film is clue-less as to how to show Stern as anything more than a passable comedian and open-mic wise-cracker surrounded by acolytes - most interesting of which is the black female producer Robin Ophelia Quivers (this isn't chance): who (uniquely) does a lot of tut-tuting/laughing on air to suggest there might be another - more PC - view on any given topic.

He may be a guerrilla DJ - but this is not guerrilla film making. This is the one film that would have benefited from digital video and a lot of camera wobble!

There is a kind of Howard's Greatest Hits section where famous moments from the radio show are re-created, including a bit of studio nudity (on radio?) and some of his better stunts, the most memorable being getting a woman to orgasm on a loud speaker cabinet. Naturally the woman is a perfect porno blonde - because this is a film not real life.

There is only so many ways you can say "I don't really care about Howard Stern." Outside of the US - where people can hear the show - I doubt most people know who he is. The few comments he makes about foreigners (including us Brits) he doesn't seem to care.

Despite the many faults with both the film and the life of Stern this is passable entertainment. Limp, but passable. Stern is no real actor and uses voice-over like a heckler in his own movie, presumably knowing another trade secret: getting the joke in first.

The soap opera of his private life is neither one thing or another and the scene in which he snubs people that once snubbed him is risible and predictable.

I have always said show-biz is the happy home to many a social misfit - this film is the proof.

Marvelous feature with shockingly original screenplay and approach

[simon_sparrow · 10/10 · 12 August 2001]

I detest Howard Stern and viewed this film under protest. Surprisingly, I found it to be my favorite American film in some time.

Whilst the movie is based upon biographical material and many of the principal characters play themselves, director Betty Thomas does a marvelous job of creating a fresh feel of taking us behind the scenes. Equally surprising is that Stern allows his warts and ego to be on full display. Private Parts, in its own way, is a far more trenchant essay on the state of the American entertainment industry than The Player or Network.

Sixty-Nine!!!!

[tomgpohl · 7/10 · 24 July 2021]

I'm a Stern fan, so I'm a bit biased. However, this movie is fun. It's harmless. It's basic. It's normal. Normal for our abnormal world. It's refreshing to see an American success story with the protagonist's "normal" intentions to succeed at their craft as the plot. Just like we all want to do in our own lives! BTW.... Las Vegas was 104 today!

Synopsis: "Hey I'm not that bad; nobody understands me!"

[Private Ryan-2 · 1/10 · 23 May 1999]

Pathetic attempt by radio shock jock Howard Stern to redeem his extremely negative image after utterly offending everyone and everything in the planet, and self-proclaiming "king of all media" (laugh). The whole point of the movie is to display Mr. Stern as a loving family man whose sense of humor is just misunderstood by the general American public.

It's not a bad movie, very funny at times, and shows a lot of care in the writing of the script. The sad part is that Mr. "family man" Stern still makes horrendous, tasteless jokes on his radio show, and just recently he aired some perversely disgraceful "jokes" (for lack of a better name) about the female victims of the Columbine high school shooting.

This movie did not change my view of Howard Stern; I still don't see him as a misunderstood, caring family man. He still is mean and tasteless in his radio show, and keeps pushing the limits of what's even ethical or responsible to broadcast.

The almost true story of the King of All Media?

[ronpitt · 8/10 · 28 December 1998]

Having been a Stern Fan since '84, I had the great opportunity to live through most of what Private Parts chronicles as Stern's NBC experience. While some of the events portrayed in the film may be out of sequence & even punched up for the film's audience, the fact remains that Private Parts most unbelievable scenes are absolutely & positively true. Where does the film fudge the truth? Little things like Stern's "look". The long hair & sunglasses shown in his Wash D.C. days didn't occur until after Stern was fired from NBC. And the redhead / bathtub scene, that is actually part of an incident that occurred with Jessican Hahn. But the real outrageous things, like learning to say the call letters properly (W-ENNN-B-C!), the fist fight in Pig Virus's office & the pure jealousy of Imus were 100% on target. This is a great film which could only have been made better by the addition of WNBC facts like Stern's on-air feuds with Soupy Sales, & the utter destruction & disappearance of WNBC radio as a result of Stern's departure. A must see romantic comedy.

Surprisingly Good!

[bek-12 · 7/10 · 8 December 1998]

This film is very funny. I wonder if it's really 100% true. If so, NBC should be ashamed of itself. Pretty funny stuff...

Not Fun, Not Funny. Worse 20 years later

[emglanz410 · 2/10 · 2 August 2017]

Private Parts, despite the great Paul Giamatti and Alison Janney, is one of the worst acted, unfunny movies every made.

Watching it 20 years later, it simply doesn't hold up, shows what a hypocrite Howard Stern is ("I love my wife Alison") and how he is simply a scam, shock jock.