Howard Stern is staying with SiriusXM despite recent retirement rumors.
The radio show host made his announcement Monday morning but initially trolled fans — with Andy Cohen’s help — into believing he was out.
Cohen, 57, came on the air and said, “I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go.”
He expressed regret over not doing a “cleaner hand off” and “kind of winging it” during the “surreal morning.”
Cohen, who said the channel would be called “Andy 100,” noted that he couldn’t “possibly fill [Stern’s] void” and was certain the 71-year-old would land another network soon.
Stern subsequently took over, thanking Cohen for taking part in the gag.
Instagram users commented their mixed feelings over the “rollercoaster of emotions,” with one admitting to having “an entire mental breakdown and … bawling in [her] kitchen.”
Another praised Cohen for being “very good and believable” amid the “great bit.”
Others, however, blasted Stern for the “nauseating … cry for attention” — and some pointed out that he did “this bit before” years ago with David Lee Roth.
This is a developing story…