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Private Parts Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 24 Reviews)

A very funny movie - not what you might expect
I had heard of Howard Stern before this film came out, usually in the context of some trouble he'd got himself into through his radio show, but as I live in England, I had never heard his show. Opinions ranged from "genius" to "drivel", but most people agreed that Stern set out to shock and most of the time succeeded. The film doesn't shock that much, but it is very funny. It is basically the story of Stern's life and career, told very much from his point of view and featuring Stern himself in the lead role. Stern makes a good job of this and is a genuinely endearing character. He retains the audience's sympathy even when he is seen to treat his wife badly, but especially when he faces the crass radio bosses who don't understand his humour. For authenticity, Stern's co-peroformers in the radio show play themselves, and Robin Quivers shows herself to be a good actress as well as a professional radio host.

Has Its Moments
Yes, this watered-down pseudo-autobiography has some genuinely funny moments, but for the most part PRIVATE PARTS fails to deliver the same raunchy "shock" available daily by listening to Howard Stern's syndicated radio show or by watching his cable telecasts. If I--your humble reviewer--wish to get Mrs. Mikels upset in a New York minute all I need do is tune in to a Stern TV broadcast, then watch this normally tolerant woman start foaming at the mouth.

Yep, couch time again.

Unfortunately, Stern's outrageous, misogynistic persona is neutered in this film--no doubt to appeal to a mainstream audience. But by softening Stern the character becomes a superficial parody; a "kinder, gentler" Howard is unappealing to both his fans and his dissenters. Granted, the movie depicts some of Stern's famous (infamous?) radio spoofs, but only as a device to show Howard as a disc jockey trying to break free from the bondage of management nimrods rather than the broadcaster's true psychological inclination.

Kind of takes all the fun out of the man, if you ask me.

On the positive side (and the film, as I've said, does have its moments), Stern is surprisingly comfortable and believable in front of a camera, and his unwavering loyalty to fellow broadcaster Robin Quivers is fascinating. But if you're looking for a real dose of Howard Stern I suggest you bypass PRIVATE PARTS and tune in to his cable show. That is, if your wife will let you.
--D. Mikels

Comedic reaction to Howard's action; Fred steals the show
In Private Parts, you get to see Howard Stern's meteoric rise from his humble beginnings to his reign as the King of All Media. You also get to see him meet and recruit his allies in broadcasting- Robin Quivers, Jackie Martling, and...

...Fred Norris, the King of Mars. The "King of Mars" moniker was given to him by Howard for his rather strange & unusual behavior and demeanor. Fred reprises his earlier self & behavior beautifully in Private Parts, which at times would come very close to upstaging Howard's own on-air antics. Fred's performance in some ways reminded me of Christopher LLoyd's portrayal of "Reverend Jim" from the Taxi TV sitcom, a character I found both scary and funny at the same time. Fred has been known to be both as well... even to this day.

Other great moments in the movie were peoples' reactions to what Howard would say on the air. Be it someone listening to the show in his car, the radio management suits at the station, or even Howard's wife Alison, whenever Howard says or plays something that's sure to cause a reaction, it does... with riotous results. It makes those funny moments even funnier.

Enjoy!

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