Howard Stern and co-host Robin Quivers responded to backlash over their discussion of 'Precious' star Gabourey Sidibe's weight on Wednesday morning.
Stern drew criticism from the mainstream media for his comments about Gabourey Sidibe's appearance at the Academy Awards. Howard Stern said: "There's the most enormous, fat black chick I've ever seen. Everyone's pretending she's a part of show business and she's never going to be in another movie."
Howard Stern played clips of reporters from mainstream media outlets fuming over his frank statements about Gabourey Sidibe's weight on Wednesday, and then responded by saying: "Obesity in this country is out of control....What's really sad though is that there are people who say it's okay to be this heavy. You've got to love your body, you've got to embrace it."
Stern then compared Sidibe's obesity to co-host Artie Lange's recent suicide attempt. "Like, I kind of don't see a difference between what our Artie did-Artie tried to kill himself. And I feel this girl, in a slower way...she's gonna kill herself."
Howard Stern said that he was a fan of the film 'Precious,' but didn't think that Gabourey Sidibe's performance was Oscar-worthy. "The reason Sidibe didn't win the award is that there wasn't much acting except walking around in a catatonic state. She was more of a prop."
Howard Stern Show co-host Robin Quivers, a former nurse who has struggled with weight problems herself, said: "The girl is obese. You don't have to be unhealthy to do that part."
Stern pointed to the current healthcare crisis in the United States and used Sidibe's obesity as an example of Americans' unwillingness to give up their addiction to overeating.
"She is in a deep crisis and she needs help badly," said Howard Stern. "That's all. It's all very sad."
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Comments
Howard Stern is such a jack@ss. Everyone knows this young girl is overweight - including herself. They also know other actors who are on drugs, alcoholic and anorexic. But, they don't rain on their parade because of it. Plus, there are A LOT of people in Hollywood these days that don't fit the mold including her co-star Mo'Nique. She's been around for over a decade making movies. He needs to shut up, get a face lift and a haircut. He himself is hideous and has no room to talk about ANYONE.
I never heard Howard talk about robin when she was that size.
Stephenie, his comments weren't as much cosmetic as they were that she has a serious health problem, which she does as she is morbidly obese and he would like her to lose some weight because our bodies really aren't manageable at that range. Also, Stern has trashed other celebrities for being hooked to hardcore narcotics (everyone except Artie that is) and he even recently came out against Charlie Sheen because of what he did to his wife, he plays favorites sure and he plays honest... The only other comment I have for you is that is was extremely rude for you to tell him to cut his hair... We all know he doesn't have hair, that is a wig, he's been hiding it poorly for years!
Howard Stern ridicules and openly makes fun of Ms. Sidibe and in the same breath pretends to be concerned about her health? What a jackass!
Howard Stearn is just about the most disgusting person I have ever seen. Sidibe may have a problem on the outside, but Stearn has a problem on the inside. He is rotten to the core. I have long wondered why Robin has stuck with him - she seems like a fairly decent person, but you are known by the company you keep, so I wonder about her. It says something pitiful about a society that would elevate someone like Stearn to this degree of celebrity when he is so totally despicable. He has no right to disparage anyone - he needs to clean is own house first.
Sorry, obese is not something to be accepted and encouraged. What a huge and lazy country .. And yes Howard has many times railed on drug addicts and wife abusers in hollywood. I love how you end with an attack on him for being hideous, not something he can control. She can stop eating..
Only in America could morbid obesity be considered anything other than a serious health problem and a shame on whoever's been feeding this young lady. I cannot see it as a cause to celebrate.
Howard Stern doesn't give a rat's behind about Gabourey's health. He's making his usual juvenile comments about the "fat chick". You know Howard, she just may surprise you and be around for a long time. I mean, nobody thought ugly Jewish men would ever be famous but you and Shemp Howard proved them wrong! And shame on you Robin Quivers (what's up with that name by the way?) Anyone who has stuggled with weight should keep their big fat mouth shut no matter how skinny it is at the moment!
You two disgust me, and I guess you disgust most decent people, probably why you had to move to satellite radio!
Wonder if the backlash is because most of America is obese. So sad.
Our country is full of obese people and you don't like it if someone points it out. Keep your fat rolls off my armrest please!!
Everyone seems to be missing the point here. It's not the fact that she's a large person but it's the fact that everyone seems to think that it's ok to call someone names and look down on someone for what they look like and hide it behind the fact that "America is fat and how it's a nationaly tragedy" and so that gives you the right to say horrible things about another person. That's it. Howard may not have agreed on her nomination but obviously millions of other people did and she deserves the respect of accomplishing that feat. She is a human being and deserves respect. Period. How ANYONE looks and your right to comment about it while degrading this person is, as a fellow human being, unacceptable. And Robin, you should be ASHAMED of yourself for sitting there, like a vapid lump, and agree with him and make comments yourself proves that you have no character or self-respect as a woman or a Black woman. For someone who has struggled with weight, to think it's ok to say that is sad.
Also for Robin to say, "The girl is obese. You don't have to be unhealthy to do that part." makes it obvious that she didn't read the book or just didn't get the movie. Yes, she did have to be obese and unhealthy for the part. That's the character. It reinforces the point of the movie, the environment that she came from and her affects of her circumstance. Actually KNOW what you're commenting about rather than just being Howard's "Yes Woman".
Eric - why so hostile? Did a fat person break your favorite toy when you were little or something? Geez! Lighten up.
Go Eric!!!! Open your eyes, people.
You know I think some of you have your priorities all wrong. I don't recall hearing people get so "outraged" when the topic is about drinking and driving, drug use, the latest celebrity scandal or the newest trashy reality show. The problem with this world is the screwed up priorities that make people care more about hollywood happenings than whether or not they're hurting their fellow humans! So sad!
Our country is full of obese people and you don't like it if someone points it out. Keep your fat rolls off my armrest please!!
I totally agree with Janine about "Uncle-Aunt Tom" Robin who echoes everything Howard says. Be careful Robin, when Howard's limelight fades and it will, YOU could be that fat black women who can't get a job anywhere else. You might even need to call Oprah.
The girl is a huge fat girl. She will never be in another major motion picture or Indy film unless it's some lame o Tyler Perry movie or that's my momma remake
I think it's fairly obvious that many of you did not hear what Howard and Robin said first hand or even understand the nature of their show. People listen to Howard's show to be entertained so there is an element of schtick and comedy in what he speaks about. The bottom line is that this young woman is going to suffer a ton of health issues and thus burden the health system and it can be avoided through lifestyle changes.
Long Live the King of all Media............
Fact: Gabourey Sidibe just completed 2 more films this year. Both films are in post production. Granted she is obese, but look at Kirstie Alley! She actually made a film about her weight! Hollywood makes films about all people from all walks of life including, the druggies, the alkies, the gays, the blacks, white upper crust in crisis, and its all hilarious! I think really the issue with most people is that The Academy Awards people nominated an unlikely person and it shocked the crap outaa people. So it just goes to show you that fame can supercede all that society thinks that glitters :)
Fact: Howard Stern is a long time idiot in New York we all know that. Robin Quivers is his long time idiot sidekick, that chuckles and makes him feel bigger than he actually is. there's a reason why most radio personalities hide behind a mic. Look at them in person. At least some people have no shame and follow their dreams and come out to celebrate that, no matter what people think of them. Its usually those people that do succeed, while others sit back and critcize in the background
i hate fat people they should all die
Let me guess...... nearly everyone here upset with Stern's telling of the truth is a big, fat, lazy woman who likes to enable other big, fat, lazy women.
whatever the case he did not need to go about it the way he did...whether she needs to lose weight or not his methods are disgusting and he ought to do everyone a favor and retire early...he's a sick bastard
yeah i said ur fat look at me im skinny
Howard and Robin are totally wrong about Gabby's acting ability. I watched some clips of Lee Daniels directing Gabby in how to evoke Precious' voice. It was sheer genius. You really have to understand what went on behind the scenes in that film to understand what that young woman was able to produce on film. She has been grossly underestimated. Brava, Gabby!
Stern is making an observation about a woman who is unhealthy. What's the controversy? We just can't say what IS anymore, I guess.
The US has the highest rates of obesity in the world.
As for Gabourey she needs to lose weight, being that heavy leads to diabetes, hypertension, and she is risking heart attack.
Why don't people get that Howard's show is COMEDY? He jokes about EVERYTHING including himself!
Howard says what millions of people are thinking but are too PC to actually say. That is why he is so successful!
Howard is real--his prejudices, his feelings, his jokes. He talks for close to five hours a day. No one has been able to do that and be as successful as he has...no one.
Why don't people get that Howard's show is COMEDY? He jokes about EVERYTHING including himself!
Howard says what millions of people are thinking but are too PC to actually say. That is why he is so successful!
Howard is real--his prejudices, his feelings, his jokes. He talks for close to five hours a day. No one has been able to do that and be as successful as he has...no one.
Howard is a JACK ASS and looks like a older version of JIGSAW. Does he honestly think his super model wife would be married to his ass if he didn't have money. Robin can't talk about anyone with her jacked up face ass she is the ultimate ass kisser. I hoe the pay is worth your soul. Anyone who agrees with Howard is a dumb ass. You don't like looking at fat people close your damn eyes.
Ed you're obviously racist...you hate black people too don't you. I wonder if she was white and obese would people have the same complaints. Think about that
If you listened to Howard this morning (3/22) and to the entire program where Howard talks about Gabbie... you will know that he loved her performance... praised it and the movie, as well as Monique's performance.
But you need to pay attention! His comments about Gabbie were more about Hollywood than the woman herself.
While he was commenting on Gabbies obesity and how unhealthy it is, his point was that Hollywood doesn't hire plus sized women as leading ladies. Yes, there are exceptions, but they are so very few of them.
Howard is hardly an idiot. If you listen to him, he's quite intelligent and obviously has no problem expressing his opinion. (Even if you don't agree with it) But then... that's what made him famous.
If you listened to Howard this morning (3/22) and to the entire program where Howard talks about Gabbie... you will know that he loved her performance... praised it and the movie, as well as Monique's performance.
But you need to pay attention! His comments about Gabbie were more about Hollywood than the woman herself.
While he was commenting on Gabbies obesity and how unhealthy it is, his point was that Hollywood doesn't hire plus sized women as leading ladies. Yes, there are exceptions, but they are so very few of them.
Howard is hardly an idiot. If you listen to him, he's quite intelligent and obviously has no problem expressing his opinion. (Even if you don't agree with it) But then... that's what made him famous.
> I wonder if she was white and obese
> would people have the same complaints.
Yes, they would. But of course there *isn't* an obese, white A-list actress in Hollywood. Which is exactly Howard's point: people in Hollywood who make gushing statements about Gabourey Sidibe's bright future in show business are being dishonest.
Obese Gabby is a heart attack waiting to happen.Shvatsa or visa ...christian or Hebe, big gal gabby needs to get on a weight loss and exercise program before her shmultz explodes! Eat Less Gabby move MORE...walk til you can no longer walk that extra mile. You're doomed mumza.
She looks like Jabba the Hut in blackface. Race baiters like Yolanda make me laugh. If we hold blacks accountable we are called racist; however, if we do not hold blacks accountable then we are conceding that they are cognitively inferior much like the commo house pet. You can't have your cake and eat it to, that is unless you are this fat pig whom loves cake.
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