Shock Jocks and Their Legacy: Introduction

摘要

What is the current status of shock radio and what legacies has it left for U.S. media culture in the 21st century? The four articles included here argue that while the format seems to have declined since its peak in the 1990s, it continues to flourish in a new "political shock" format and in the broader sexualization or "Sternifi-cation" of mainstream culture. Articles by Joy Elizabeth Hayes, Dana Gravesen, and Sharon Zechowski focus on shock jock Howard Stern, while articles by Zack Stiegler and Michael R. Kramer examine the cases of Michael Savage and Don Imus respectively. Together, these contributors examine the theoretical, legal, political and discursive dimensions of shock radio as it has transformed over the last two decades.