atlasmb When Howard Stern, the self-acclaimed "King of All Media", was promoting this film before its release (and even during its production), he said it was going to be a great film. He has never failed to tout himself, professionally, as a powerful force. On the other hand, he has always been self-deprecating on a personal level, saying he is inadequate in terms of sexual equipment, etc. This strange dichotomy is central, I believe, to Stern's appeal, both to women and men.The film follows his personal and professional lives, including his stops at small radio stations on the way to dominating the New York market. And again Stern is unafraid of looking the fool. This is a comedy and much of the comedy revolves around his self-deprecation.At the same time, he lampoons (always with humor) those he met along the way who predicted his failure. And those who tried to rein in his brand of irreverent and titillating humor. Paul Giamatti is both amazing and hilarious as the producer who fails to recognize the unstoppable force that Stern becomes.Robin Quivers, playing herself, is the one-in-a-million on-air companion who can channel Stern's efforts and lend an unexpected air of respectability to the proceedings. Not everyone will appreciate this film, but it will pleasantly surprise some people. Though it is not strictly the truth, it is no more improbable than the reality of Howard Stern's life.

Jackson Booth-Millard I saw a clip of this featured in one of those Channel 4 countdowns, I didn't acknowledge that the film was based on reality, so I was very keen, from director Betty Thomas (Doctor Dolittle, John Tucker Must Die). Basically, Howard Stern always wanted to be a disc jockey, working for a radio station, playing popular music and speaking his mind, and during the 1970's it was his goal to do it. Howard started out in college with not a lot of zing in his approach and hardly any personality on the Mic, but then he got his big break on a Detroit radio station. It is soon after starting out that Howard has a snap, his glasses and moustache come off, and his more vibrant and opinionated personality is brought out. He is joined on his own show with news anchor Robin Quivers, who shares his unorthodox approach to expressing his opinions, talking whatever he wants to, and doing whatever he can to get high ratings. The radio heads don't share all of Howard's ideas of what the listeners want, but his hilarious off-the-wall antics are getting the listeners, to the point where he is the most famous disc jockey on air. After a little misunderstanding between Howard and wife Alison (Mary McCormack) about her baby miscarriage, where he joked about it, and her forgiving him, Howard gains a bigger opportunity with NBC in New York. Howard also has the good fortune to have Alison pregnant again, but with his new bosses not understanding how he got such high ratings, it is only after taking him on board that they experience it. It is the job of Kenny Rushton (Paul Giamatti) and one or two other crew members to keep Howard in line, or force him to quit with the limitations of what he can do on radio, but this won't stop him. He has many troubles on and off Mic, high demands, including having Robin with him once again, and of course another hit with being the number one disc jockey again, but he also stays true to his family. Also starring Fred Norris, Gary Dell'Abate, Jackie Martling, Carol Alt as Gloria, Richard Portnow as Ben Stern, Allison Janney as Dee Dee, Jenna Jameson as Mandy, Ozzy Osbourne, Mia Farrow, David Letterman, AC-DC (including Brian Johnson, Iggy Pop and Wendy Whoppers as Big-Breasted Woman. Stern completely steals the show with his madcap radio hosting, and the real people playing their own parts keeps the momentum high. The best sequence is Stern using his voice with a stripping woman turning the bass up high on her speakers to have vibration style sex, it was number 28 on The 100 Greatest Funny Moments. A hilarious shock jock, a cast of well-knowns as themselves and in cameos, sexually explicit radio broadcasts, the story is based on facts, this is everything you wants in a biographical comedy. Very good!

Carson Trent I was watching this one recently with friends and I realized I was the only one being amused. I just realized why. This is Scarface, not a comedy, but a dramatic account of foul taste with balls taking over. It's Tony Montana p***ing everything in his path.It's the logical outcome when ratings decide who stays and who leaves. But why do I find it amusing? Well, I don't, really. I guess it was just the anticipation of Giamatti's performance I had forgotten was so short spanned.I write the comment just in case I get the urge to watch this again in the future.

Superunknovvn I remember watching this movie at the cinema when it came out. Originally me and my friend had wanted to go see "Men In Black", but it was sold out. What a shame! So, we decided to see this other flick that I had heard about in a smaller cinema. It was one of the luckiest decisions I've ever made at the movies."Private Parts" is a funny, politically incorrect tongue-in-cheek biography of the life of Howard Stern, self-proclaimed King Of All Media. Having never heard Stern's show I can only guess that this telling of the events doesn't have too much to do with reality, but that's not really what's important. The movie is entertaining and endlessly quotable."Private Parts" is the perfect movie for a light hearted evening. Something that cannot be said about "Man In Black".