NEW YORK - Several weeks ago, Howard Stern bid farewell to terrestrial-based Viacom radio and moved his daily raunch-fest to satellite-based Sirius so that he could air his potty-mouth brand of humor without fear of censors' reprisals.
But today, without explanation, Sirius announced that it will require Stern to start each broadcast with "an appropriate" Bible reading from the New Testament, "without flippant or derogatory editorial," and to air at least two religious hymns each day sung by local choirs. One anonymous Sirius official confided, "We played this exactly right. Now maybe we can save his soul." Sirius is also expected to announce that Stern has been tapped to serve as lead commentator for Sirius' broadcast of Pope Benedict's next midnight Mass.
Stern issued a terse response to Sirius' announcement, but this website's profanity ombudsman advised that it cannot be printed here.
