I just think Stern is and always has been fake.
Getting a chance to listen across the decades, he evolved in whatever way he could be successful. He pushed boundaries at a time when that kind of PR was beneficial and couldn't be bought. And despite how he's always painted it, if he didn't have Fred and Jackie, and I'll even say Robin, he'd be stuck in Hartford. His own creativity could only go so far - a leader that can direct talented people, but not a full fledged Ringmaster like a certain other legend.
So, he's a cypher, a man who chooses what he has to be to survive. The stories I have heard about him behind closed doors, he is a very empty man. Hyper-focused on his hobby of the moment, and very much into drama TV, but not a whole lot else there. He strikes me as a man who's put on an act so long that when he's away from the mic, or an audience, he shuts down completely. What an odd way to live.
They say the best way to balance a career in entertainment and a personal life is to be as much of yourself in public as you can, almost like if you don't, you'll forget who you are. I rarely do interviews, but when I do, I'm rather open about my tastes and perspectives, because to those close to me, that's how I am. It's how I stay grounded.
And I haven't forgotten about his, ahem, "trophy wife" and the rough trade rumours, but I'm not going there this time.