The Howard Stern Interview Season 17, Episode 12: Dolly Parton

Rosie O'Donnell

Actress, comedian, producer, and all-around entertainment icon Rosie O’Donnell returned to the Stern Show for a wide-ranging interview covering everything from the gift she gave to a recently paroled Martha Stewart to the Broadway musical she once talked rock legend David Bowie into enduring. Her sit-down with Howard also touched upon meeting her girlfriend on social media, Rosie’s reaction to “the slap,” and the 60-year-old’s recent transformation from daytime TV royalty into the star of three wildly different TV dramas. She appears as a bartender on Amazon’s acclaimed “A League of Their Own” reboot, a detective investigating Jon Bernthal on Showtime’s racy “American Gigolo” reprisal, and a public defender on Showtime’s romance drama “The L Word: Generation Q.”

Jon Hamm

It’s shaping up to be an astounding year for award-winning sex symbol and Hollywood icon Jon Hamm, who joined the Stern Show for the first time to promote his new crime comedy “Confess, Fletch” and speak with Howard about everything from which “Real Housewives” cast reeled him in to whether the rumors were true he preferred “going commando” on set.

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons, the Grammy-winning musicians behind chart-smashers like “Radioactive” and “Thunder,” returned to the Stern Show to chat with Howard about everything from their musical influences and new double album to the time lead singer Dan Reynolds spent two years with another big-name rocker slinging faith and shoveling feces in Nebraska. The group, which also includes lead guitarist Wayne Sermon, bassist Ben McKee, and drummer Daniel Platzman, also spoke about chatting with foreign leaders on Zoom and ghostwriting hits for pop stars before regaling listeners with an inspired performance of their 2017 single “Believer.” The conversation with Howard covered a lot of ground, but the recurrent themes were Reynolds’ spirituality, his upbringing, and his years-long evolution from Mormon missionary to LGBTQ+ advocate.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger, who’s led a state of over 30 million people and starred in several of the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood history, didn’t sit down with Howard to chat about governance or film roles. He stopped by the show hoping to inspire listeners to better themselves, as others have inspired him. In his new book “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life,” the Austrian-born icon shares the lessons he learned while conquering Hollywood, the world of bodybuilding, and politics.

83 min

Keith Richards

The man, the myth, the bandana-clad legend Keith Richards has finally made his Stern Show debut, much to Howard’s satisfaction. The iconic Rolling Stones guitarist and some might say living embodiment of rock and roll opened up to listeners about his life, his love of music, and why, unlike his decades-long partner in rock Mick Jagger, he will never be knighted. The 79-year-old rock and blues pioneer also had plenty to say about “Hackney Diamonds,” the Rolling Stones first original album in nearly two decades and the band’s only one without founding drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away in 2021.

Post Malone

Rock, rap, and pop superstar Post Malone returned to the Stern Show, following the release of his brand-new album “Austin.” The 28-year-old recording artist, who has eight diamond certified songs to his name and two diamond crowns in his mouth, spoke to Howard about everything from his unwavering support of Bud Light to his burgeoning friendship with fellow music icon Taylor Swift. He also discussed his multi-million dollar Magic: The Gathering card, shared several stories about stage injuries and face tattoos, and even performed a couple of songs for Howard and his listeners live in the Stern Show studios.

John Stamos

Actor, musician, and longtime friend of the Stern Show John Stamos stopped by the studio on Tuesday morning with a head full of impeccably coiffed hair and a heart full of hilariously endearing anecdotes, many of which appear in his new book, “If You Would Have Told Me: A Memoir.” The 60-year-old Beach Boys drummer and “Full House” star has lived a uniquely charmed life, so it’s little surprise many stories from his memoir have already made a splash in the news, including a time when he got his heart broken by a cheating girlfriend.

Chris Distefano

Comedian and TV personality Chris Distefano stopped by the Stern Show to participate in the on-air segment “What’s My Freaky Fetish?” But before rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty, the 39-year-old New York native told Howard all about his backstory, including previous relationships, his father the ex-convict, and the unusual road he traveled to become a successful comedian.

Seth Meyers

“Saturday Night Live” star turned late-night luminary Seth Meyers returned to the Stern Show where he regaled listeners with anecdotes about celebrities ranging from Taylor Swift to Don Rickles while also showing Howard precisely how the sausage he serves on his critically acclaimed NBC show gets made. The 49-year-old funnyman, father, podcaster, children’s author, and “Late Night With Seth Meyers” star was more than happy to peel back the curtain, especially when it came to his show’s signature segment, “A Closer Look.”

Barbra Streisand

The legendary singer, actress, filmmaker, and philanthropist made her long-awaited Stern Show debut, connecting with Howard from her home in Malibu to deliver an epic interview in service of her equally epic new memoir, “My Name Is Barbra.” Over 10 years in the making, the 992-page book offers an in-depth look at the Brooklyn-born superstar’s sometimes tragic upbringing — from the father who died when she was just 15 months old to the mother who once told her to pursue a career in typing — and covers nearly every facet of her six-decades-long career as a multi-platinum recording artist, acclaimed movie star, and underappreciated director. As open as Barbra was in her book, she was even more candid in her conversation with Howard, touching upon subjects ranging from what song Bob Dylan wrote about her and which Martin Scorsese role she turned down to some of the run-ins she’s had with misguided men in media and the movie business.

149 min

Sammy Hagar

Solo star and former Van Halen vocalist Sammy Hagar returned to the Stern Show, eager not only to bend Howard’s ear with wild tales from the heyday of hard rock but also to announce the creation of a brand-new supergroup featuring longtime bassist Michael Anthony, second-generation drum legend Jason Bonham, and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. The ferocious foursome – who next year will embark on a “Best of All Worlds Tour” — performed publicly for the first time in Howard’s studio, playing classic Van Halen tunes like “Right Now” and “5150” while also celebrating the music of trailblazers ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin to Anthony and Hagar’s former bandmate Eddie Van Halen, who passed away in 2020 after a long battle with cancer.