The Rebellious Life of Howard Stern—Radio’s Infamous Shock-Jock

In one of his most notoriously exploitative moments, Howard Stern invited Anna Nicole Smith onto his show in 2002—only to ask her to step on a scale live on air. The model and former Playboy Playmate, who was visibly uncomfortable, reluctantly agreed.

As the numbers climbed, Stern and his crew mocked her weight mercilessly, reducing her to a punchline while she tried to laugh it off. The segment was slammed as cruel and humiliating, especially in hindsight after Anna Nicole’s tragic decline. It remains one of the show’s most grotesque examples of how far Stern would go for a headline—and a gasp.