I listened to Howard Stern on the radio every weekday during high school once he arrived on Phoenix airwaves in 1995. My mornings would always be entertaining in one unpredictable way or another, thanks to the antics of Howard and his crew. Stern was a live wire, jumping all over the place with a bit, a guest, or a caller. Flanked by Robin Quivers – usually the straight woman in any comedic scenario – along with Fred Norris, Jackie Martling, and Billy West (yes, he of Ren and Stimpy fame) – every show was electric. I was hooked. There were no pithy soundbites leading into the next song, and there were no politics (those were relegated to shows on the AM dial). He was just honest. And he was clearly having fun.

Howard Stern broadcasts from "Studio 69" at SiriusXM. (image credit: Getty Images)

“ Those early Sirius years were the peak of The Howard Stern Show.

Howard Stern poses with U2's Bono and The Edge following a December 2017 interview. (Image credit: Howard Stern Show Facebook Page)

“ Yes, he’s gotten older, and yes, he’s changed. But change is good.

Howard Stern Show co-host Robin Quivers. (Image credit: Howard Stern Show Facebook page)

“ The Howard Stern Show has, to its detriment, become insular.

Howard Stern and Robin Quivers, pictured here early in their careers. (Image credit: Howard Stern Show Facebook page)

“ Lange’s departure was a fork in the road for Stern.

So after sticking with the show through college and my move to the Bay Area, I happily followed Stern when he left terrestrial radio for the fledgling Sirius Satellite Radio in 2006. I bought satellite radios for my home and car. And my goodness, the show was on fire those first few years on Sirius. The shackles of FM’s FCC-mandated censorship were broken, and it was like Stern and company were unleashed! Comedian Artie Lange, who’d replaced Martling in 2001 and proven a perfect fit, was profanely hilarious. The rest of the crew complemented the madness.For me, those early Sirius years were the peak of The Howard Stern Show, though I know many longtime fans would choose other eras. Regardless, things changed forever in 2010, when Lange, who’d long battled drug addiction, attempted suicide. After his recovery, he never returned to Stern’s air, either as a co-host or even a guest. Stern soldiered on, but he not only never had Lange on again, he rarely talked about the breakup, even when pressed by callers, and declared on-air that he wouldn’t fill the “Artie chair” (previously the “Jackie chair”). Instead, he’d get back to the show being just himself, Robin, and Fred.To fill the gap left without another professional comedian in the room, Stern doubled down on two things: celebrity interviews and the “wack pack,” the Stern Show’s gaggle of regular callers and personalities who all have some odd personality quirk. The former has been a home run. A-list guests from Paul McCartney to Jerry Seinfeld to Robert Plant have stopped by in recent years, and while some fans accuse Stern of kowtowing to the A-list in order to be accepted by it, I see it as a natural evolution for the one-time shock jock. Yes, he’s gotten older, and yes, he’s changed. But change is good. He seems happy in his marriage and he’s learned how to have a better work-life balance; this includes being friends with fellow famous people rather than seeing them as enemies, as he used to. The point is, these interviews are longer than ever – usually an hour and sometimes more – and the conversations are almost always interesting, even if it’s a public figure I hadn’t taken much interest in previously. They go well beyond the canned, pre-interviewed five-minute chats these stars would do on other programs.Even Stern's extremely recent attempts at livening up the show with a “panel” – bringing producers and other behind-the-scenes staff from the back office into the studio to chime in on mic from time to time – fall flat, as it’s not only doubling down on the amateur-comedian angle, but it’s just a bunch of guys chuckling at what the boss says. It’s a laugh track – a poor version of the “morning zoo” form of radio that Stern himself has railed against for years. I still listen to the show regularly, yes, but unless it’s a celebrity interview I’m pretty quick to change the channel.Recently, Stern indicated with more seriousness than ever that he might finally walk away after his on-air deal expires in 2020. If he does, the aforementioned 12-year content deal no doubt sets his staff up to maintain gainful employment while he rides off into the sunset. But whether Stern retires or continues on longer, I’ll always appreciate of all the years of entertainment. Not a lot of performers – in any medium – can match Stern’s accomplishments or longevity. That being said, I always thought I would miss The Howard Stern Show when the day finally came that it was no longer on the air. Now, however, I’m ready for the end. Lange’s departure was a fork in the road for Stern, and I don’t believe he chose the best path forward.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s Executive Editor of Previews and has been a regular listener of The Howard Stern Show for over 20 years. Follow him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan , catch him on Unlocked , and drop-ship him Taylor Ham sandwiches from New Jersey whenever possible. Baba Booey!