IMO the show jumped the shark when (1) jackie left, (2) H got divorced, (3) after 9/11 when they refused for the most part to touch on politics when it would've been poignant and appropriate to do so, enhancing the show without downsides. Instead it looked kinda superficial in the context then.
I saw jackie by himself at a book signing in lower manhattan before he left, felt like telling him not to make waves again because eventually they'd call his bluff, which is what happened. Even so, H could've stepped in and paid him more and should have but was too cheap and too proud. Artie's OK but the chemistry changed.
Also agree with Jay Leno's recent comments that H is no longer relevant in pop culture now that he's on satellite.
http://www.popeater.com/television/article/howard-stern-more-people-listen-to-me/295070Simmons wasn't a favorite guest of mine but i can see why some liked him.