Extreme Super Fan Trivia Challenge - Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I was lucky enough to be chosen as a contestant in a Howard Stern Extreme Super Fan Trivia Challenge. I don't know how many people entered the contest but I was thrilled when I got the call from Will Murray informing me that I was going to be one of the contestants. I couldn't stop smiling for a week after getting that call.

I had a quick pre-interview with Will Murray and I was told to show up at the Howard Stern Show studio on February 6th by 6:30am. No problem! They offered to put me up at a hotel in the city but I'm only about an hour and 15 minutes outside New York City so I figured I'd drive in with my wife.

I told a few people that I'd be participating in the contest. One of those people was my friend Barbara, a former Super Fan Trivia winner. Over the next week or so she quizzed me with questions about the Stern Show. I wasn't feeling so confident after failing to answer many of her questions. I did a little studying through Wikipedia about Howard and Robin. I would later find out I should have done more.

The night before the contest we went to bed early so we could get up around 3:30. There was a slight chance of snow over night so I wanted to make sure we left early enough. I didn't think I'd be nervous but I barely slept the night before. We left home around 4:30 in the morning. Holy crap that was early.

We got to the McGraw Hill building (SiriusXM) around 5:45 in the morning. There was hardly anyone around. I noticed a man standing at one of the doors staring out. As I got closer I recognized the large man. It was ClubSoda Kenny! Kenny used to appear on the Stern Show years ago with Andrew Dice Clay. I had met Kenny a bunch of other times at various comedy shows with Jim Florentine and Jim Norton. He's a very interesting guy to be around. He's also extremely nice and supportive even though he's more of an Opie and Anthony guy these days. I let him know that I was there for this contest and he gave me some words of encouragement before we went up.

I was up to the lobby of SiriusXM a few minutes later. We were there before the other contestants showed up. We were there before Benjy who is known for showing up at the last minute. After going through a quick security check the other contestant, RJ, showed up with a friend. There was also an alternate there just in case one of us didn't show. Then the final contestant, Carrie, showed up. We all sat around listening to the Stern Show for a few minutes. I was feeling pretty relaxed. I had gotten really nervous on the car ride in but once I was up there I was at ease.

Ronnie the Limo Driver let us know that they'd be bringing us in soon. A short time later the three contestants were brought in and interviewed for Howard TV by Gregg Karmel. Gregg thought I had met Howard before. I hadn't. This was going to be my first time speaking to Howard in person.

Back in 2008 I participated in a ''Beat the Booey'' game for Howard TV but that was a TV only thing without Howard. I did beat Gary in that Stern show trivia game but I never did a write up of it. We were asked not to tell anyone how the game went because the shows weren't due to air for a couple of months. Even though I had beaten Gary in 2008 I wasn't all that confident that I'd be able to win this time.

I had also been in the studio for the Ronnie Roast a few years ago. That time I was sitting just a few feet away from Howard but I didn't have the balls to walk over and introduce myself that day.

We were brought to the Green Room where David Choe had spray painted his ''Kim Jong Stern'' graffiti art on the wall. Our guests were brought in a short time later. We were given our name tags and told about how the game was going to work. The game was getting close. Howard was in the middle of interviewing Donald Trump while we were in the green room. I think we all felt the interview was going on a little too long. We were all ready to play this game. I got to see Will Murray and Jason Kaplan before the game. I've met most of these guys before so it's really nice that they know who I am when I go up there.

Richie Wilson from Howard TV stopped in the green room for a quick hello. On his way down the hall he gave me that ''You're going to do it!'' look. It got me psyched up to go in and do it. Unfortunately I let him down.

Howard eventually wrapped up the Trump interview and announced the Super Fan Trivia game was coming up next. That meant we'd be brought into the studio any second now. Holy crap I'm about to meet Howard Stern! Not long after that we were all ushered into Studio 69. Howard was very friendly and said hi to us as we walked in. Gary recognized me and said a quick hello and shook my hand. Nice!

The three contestants were seated at a table separated by black dividers so we wouldn't be able to see the answers we were going to be writing down. I was seated in the middle with Carrie on my right and RJ to my left. I think we all had a great view of Howard. He was right there smiling and making me feel at home. Scott the Engineer gave us our headphones and battery packs. SCOTT! Once we were set with the headphones I heard Fred yell out ''Twenty seconds!'' and the next thing you know we're back live and Howard starts the game. If you'd like to read about the game you can find it here.

During the quick interview Howard did with me during the game I felt like I was talking to a long time friend. Before going in there I thought for sure I was going to be nervous as hell and I'd be stumbling over my words and all. It was surreal to be there speaking to this guy I've been listening to every day for the past 25 years.

While Howard was talking to me, before the game started, he mentioned that they had hired me to work for them doing their web site rundown. He was referring to my short time writing their rundown for free back in 2004. On the air he made it sound like I had quit a paying job. The way he was goofing on me was funny so I didn't want to bring the show to a grinding halt by correcting him about the pay.

If you read about, or heard, the game you know that I came in second to Carrie. She has an amazing memory for Stern Show trivia. Before the game, when we were in the green room, Carrie said she used my site to study. I thought that was pretty cool even though she beat my ass.

I should have won. That's what a bunch of people told me after my loss. I have an awful memory. I can remember a lot about the Stern Show but not every detail. This stuff doesn't come to me quickly. If I had a couple of minutes to think about Robin's cat's names I could have come up with them all. It just wasn't my day. I went up there expecting to lose and all I really wanted out of it was to finally meet Howard. I did that and it felt great. Walking away with $500 was a bonus. Oh, and I finally got my copy of the Private Parts script signed by Howard. Gary signed it way back in 1998 when I met him for the first time at a pet store grand opening.

I had a great time up at the Stern show. It didn't really bother me that much that I lost. Everyone up there treated us with such respect and kindness. Even Ronnie was very pleasant to be around. He took my script in to get signed during the commercial break. We didn't get to take pictures with Howard but Ronnie was willing to take a couple of shots.

Well, I finally met Howard and got my Private Parts script signed. There's nothing left for me to do. I can end this whole web site thing any time now and not feel bad about it.