Private Parts

After performing as Fartman at the MTV VMAs, Howard Stern boards his flight home and finds himself seated beside Gloria, who is visibly repelled by him. Stern thinks she sees him as a moron, so he begins to tell his life story, starting with the verbal abuse he suffered as a child. The flight becomes the frame for the movie's storytelling through Stern's memories.

Stern recounts the abuse from his father Ben and describes his early quiet, socially awkward nature. He explains how a visit to his father's recording studio sparked a dream of becoming a radio personality. This memory anchors his lifelong pursuit of a career in radio.

Howard studies communications at Boston University and lands a DJ gig at WTBU, the college radio station. He meets his girlfriend Alison, who becomes a central part of his life. The experiences at college lay the groundwork for his future on-air persona.

After graduation he works at WRNW in Briarcliff Manor, New York and earns promotion to program director, which leads to marrying Alison. He begins to shape his on-air persona as a more provocative, boundary-pushing host. The professional success ties closely to his personal life.

Howard leaves WRNW after being asked to fire a fellow DJ and moves to WCCC in Hartford, Connecticut, where he befriends DJ Fred Norris. He adopts a more casual, open style on the air as his career gains momentum. The Hartford chapter marks a turning point in his on-air personality.

Howard and Fred attend the premiere of Brittany Fairchild's film, and later go to Fairchild's hotel room where she strips and invites them to join in a bath. His discomfort grows as Brittany's behavior becomes more sexual, and he leaves the scene embarrassed. The incident foreshadows the kinds of risqué moments that shape his career.

Alison finds Howard's wet underwear in their car, suspecting infidelity, and decides to leave him. The marriage struggles under his rising fame as his career forces him to push boundaries on air. The personal cost of his career becomes increasingly apparent.

Howard moves to WWWW in Detroit, where he is miserable, but Alison travels to Detroit to forgive him. WWWW later switches to country music and Stern quits. The personal and professional turbulence tests their relationship but ultimately paves the way for future stability.

Howard starts at WWDC in Washington, D.C. in 1981 and meets news anchor Robin Quivers, whom he encourages to riff with him on the air. They push against management's format while building chemistry on air. The rebellious approach helps them gain ratings and keeps the team intact for now.

With Alison pregnant again, Howard receives a dream offer to work in New York City at WNBC. Alison experiences a miscarriage, which he jokes about on air, deeply upsetting her and straining their relationship. The contrast between his rising career and personal pain becomes a central tension.

Howard accepts the WNBC opportunity and moves to New York City, but NBC's management hired him without understanding his show. Kenny Rushton, nicknamed 'Pig Vomit', pressures him to rein in content or quit. A string of controversial moments—Robin's firing, a later naked-studio incident, and a relentless push against restrictions—mark the struggle to maintain his style.

By 1985, Howard has become number one at WNBC and spurns Kenny's attempts at friendship. He thanks his fans with an outdoor AC/DC concert, a high point that coincides with Alison being rushed to the hospital and giving birth to their daughter. The professional crown and personal milestone intersect in a dramatic moment.

Back on the flight home, Stern reveals to Gloria that he told his life story in hopes of getting her, yet he remains faithful to Alison. He later reunites with Alison at the airport, and their daughters run to greet him, underscoring the film's core theme of family loyalty.

During the end credits, Stuttering John rants about his absence from the film. Mia Farrow presents an Oscar for Best Actor to Howard, who appears as Fartman again but falls from mid-air as the crowd applauds. Kenny is out of radio and now manages a shopping mall in Alabama, blaming Howard for his downfall while his swearing is drowned by jackhammer noises.