Chris Serico • The Journal News’ Suburbarazzi blog • Dec. 24, 2007 • AP Photo: Stuart Ramson
Chris Serico: You told me via e-mail that Stevie Wonder was your favorite musical guest ever to appear on Stern’s show. What about his music, either that day or just in general, really inspires you?
Fred Norris: You don’t realize just how great an artist like Stevie Wonder is until they sit down at the piano and until you compare them to everybody else that’s come into the studio. Everybody else that’s come in and played, you know, they’re good, but when he sits down and he starts singing, he just commands the room. You just sit there, your jaw drops, and you go, ‘Oh, yeah. That’s Stevie Wonder.’ That’s the guy who should be on a musical Mount Rushmore. He’s beyond words.
CS: When you first started with your partnership Howard Stern almost 30 years ago, did you think you’d still be with him on the air at this point?
FN: Absolutely not. I thought the most the show was going to go was three months and the general managers and program directors would get tired of it and say, ‘You guys are messed up,’ and kick us out. I don’t even know where I’d be right now, but, you know something, I’m glad to be where I am.
CS: Are you concerned about whether or not Howard re-signs with Sirius when his contract expires in three years?
FN: Three years from now is three years from now. You know what? I think he was thinking he was going to leave radio before he went to satellite. He could be a man of his word this time and walk away at the top, but I think he’d be sitting at home for six months and maybe wondering, ‘Hmm, maybe I could just do this show like once a week,’ and before you know it, who knows? We’ll see. The future remains to be seen.
CS: Have you heard from comedian Jim Florentine yet about your impression of him?
FN: I have not heard from Jim. I am kind of curious to see how that’s going to all go down when I do see him. I know he’s a comedian, so he probably knows it’s all meant all in good fun, and meant with love for all parties.
CS: Who’s one guest you’d kill to have on the show right now?
FN: One guest that I’d kill for right now. Wow. Wow. Wow. I’m trying to think of who would be the one; I don’t want to waste my guess/wish. So, let me see, I’m trying to think of like the person that we’d really—you know what? Brad Pitt. Because he so doesn’t want to do the show and he’s a big fan. And I’d like to know what it’s like to be going to bed with one of the sexiest women on the planet (former Sneden’s Landing resident Angelina Jolie)—even though she might be crazy and has too many tattoos for my liking. Brad Pitt.
CS: Will there ever be another installment of the Win Fred’s Money trivia contest?
FN: It all depends on whether or not they can get a sponsor. I think that’s the whole thing—finding people who will put up the money. Because in the rare event that I actually do lose, someone will have to be paid.
CS: Will there ever be a Fred roast, and if so, will it be fewer than three minutes for fear of ticking you off?
FN: That’s in the hands of the gods. I don’t know. That’s up to them. If they’re feeling lucky and want to take their lives in their own hands, be my guest.
