Praising Paul Giamatti's Underrated Performance That Outshined Howard Stern
Discover how Paul Giamatti's exceptional portrayal of Kenny Pig Vomit Rushton in 'Private Parts' captivated audiences, including an unforgettable scene involving NBC call letters Explore his reunion with director Alexander Payne in 'The Holdovers'
The Big Picture
Paul Giamatti's performance as Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton in Private Parts showcased his unique abilities and made him the most memorable player in the film.
Giamatti's portrayal of the frustrated and flummoxed Kenny was enhanced by his nasally and high-pitched voice. The scenes where he interacts with Howard Stern were particularly memorable in the movie. A standout moment between Giamatti and Stern showcased Kenny's determination to gain control over the uncontrollable shock jock, highlighting Kenny's rule-driven personality and Stern's defiant refusal to comply.
Paul Giamatti is a highly accomplished actor known for his diverse range of roles. He first gained recognition for his breakout performance in the 2004 dramedy Sideways, and has since proven himself capable of tackling any kind of character. One of his standout performances came in the Primetime Emmy award-winning HBO miniseries John Adams, where he portrayed the titular role. In addition to his successful career in television, Giamatti has been captivating audiences for the past 8 years in the role of Chuck Rhoads Jr. in Billions, which earned him a Critics Choice award nomination. However, it was his portrayal of Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton in the 1997 film Private Parts, alongside trailblazing radio shock jock Howard Stern, that truly caught everyone's attention. Based on the true story of Stern's rise to radio broadcasting fame, Giamatti's portrayal of the eccentric character stood out, stealing the show from the titular star himself. His performance showcased his unique talent and allowed audiences to not only enjoy the film but also become acquainted with Giamatti as a character actor. He effortlessly outshone the other eccentric characters surrounding Stern and his co-host Robin Quivers, making him the most memorable player in the movie.
Image via Paramount PicturesPrivate Parts
The autobiographical story of Howard Stern, the radio rebel who is now also a TV personality, an author and a movie star.
How Does Paul Giamatti Fit Into 'Private Parts'?
Director: Betty Thomas
Cast: Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, Mary McCormack, Fred Norris, Paul Giamatti, Gary Dell'Abate
Rating: R
Genres: Biography, Comedy, Documentary, Drama
Writers: Howard Stern, Len Blum, Michael Kalesniko
Paul Giamatti Is the Perfect Fit for Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton in 'Private Parts'
As mentioned earlier, Stern's specialty lies in exploiting misfits and eccentric characters in his show, Private Parts. This talent has garnered him millions of listeners worldwide. The film, which recounts his remarkable career and continues to be successful on Sirius Radio XM, portrays Stern's clash with Giamatti's character, a strict company official tasked with reining in Stern and his wild entourage as they make their way from Washington D.C. to New York City in the early 1980s. When Kenny, assigned to censor Stern and his crew at WNBC, attempts to assert his authority, chaos ensues. Watching Giamatti not only hold his ground against the larger-than-life shock jock but also outshine him in their scenes together is truly a delight. It feels like witnessing a babysitter trying to control a group of unruly children from the depths of Dante's hell, only these "children" are grown adults.
Within an ensemble comprising individuals possessing peculiar and unconventional qualities, Paul Giamatti seamlessly embodies the essence of Private Parts, both physically and emotionally. Of utmost significance, and perhaps most endearing, is his distinctive, nasal, nearly caricature-like, high-pitched voice. As an actor, he has flawlessly harnessed the power of his idiosyncratic voice. He instinctively amplifies it at precisely the right moments, all the while maintaining a keen awareness of avoiding excessive theatrics. In a film where he encounters the outrageous antics of Stern and his motley crew, Kenny may appear overwhelmed and frustrated, but the reality is quite the opposite. Giamatti had already perfected his craft and understood that his robust and audacious voice would be instrumental in his performances on stage, in film, and on television. Private Parts leaves us pondering: Who was that unfortunate soul incessantly losing his composure due to Stern's defiance of the station's regulations? It is, in fact, a seasoned actor honing his skills to convincingly portray an impending nervous breakdown. Those lacking conventionally attractive appearances, flawless hair, and chiseled jawlines must find alternative ways to stand out, and Giamatti serves as a perfect exemplar of this notion.
The standout moments in the Howard Stern biopic can be found in the interactions between the fearless radio host and Kenny Rushton, portrayed by Paul Giamatti. While Stern may not possess formal acting training, his genuine portrayal adds a unique challenge for the accomplished actor Giamatti to bounce off of. It is the dynamic between the amateur Stern and the foundation provided by Kenny that brings these scenes to life and makes them truly memorable. Despite Kenny's late appearance in the film, his instant connection with Stern leaves viewers wishing he had been introduced earlier. Right from their initial meeting at the radio station, it is evident that their personalities are bound to clash in an incredibly captivating manner.
Paul Giamatti and Howard Stern's Best Scene Involves the NBC Call Letters
These individuals possess type-A personalities and share a desire for universal recognition of their authority within the room. Both physically and temperamentally, they contrast greatly. Stern, with his tall and lanky frame, stands in stark contrast to the short and nonathletic Kenny portrayed by Giamatti. However, Kenny compensates for his stature with unwarranted New York bravado and audacity. Stern disregards rules and burdens the lives of his corporate programmers, wasting no time in provoking Kenny. Despite constantly teetering on the edge of eruption, Kenny exerts tremendous effort to deny Stern the satisfaction of breaking him. Their initial encounter stands out as the most remarkable scene, wherein Kenny urges Howard to incorporate more inflection when mentioning the station's call letters during broadcasts.
If you've watched Private Parts, you surely remember the unforgettable "W-NNNN-BC!" scene, where his voice reached such a high pitch that it could shatter glass. This moment perfectly showcases Kenny, a man who strictly adheres to rules and attempts to exert control over the unpredictable Stern. Kenny confidently tells his superiors, "I'll either tame him or make him so insane that he'll quit. Either way, we'll come out on top." Needless to say, we all know how that plan ultimately unfolds. The camera zooms in on Kenny's face before he dashes out of his office in the studio while Howard and his crew engage in a controversial bit, making for an incredibly priceless moment. Eventually, Kenny reaches his breaking point and yells at Stern, "You are the m***** f***** Antichrist!!" as a colleague holds him back. However, regardless of Kenny's actions, Stern's listener numbers continue to soar as he slowly conquers New York and eventually the entire nation. A pivotal scene in Private Parts that solidifies Stern's show-stealing presence is the brawl in Kenny's office, involving Stern, a phone, and a statuette. These are the significant moments we reminisce about when recognizing the brilliance of Paul Giamatti's performance.
Paul Giamatti Has Reunited With 'Sideways' Director Alexander Payne for 'The Holdovers'
Image via Focus Features
After nearly twenty years, Giamatti is reuniting with his director from the breakout film Sideways, Alexander Payne. Together, they have worked on a new movie called The Holdovers, set to have a limited theatrical release in late October 2023 before reaching a wider audience in early November. The film premiered at the 2023 TIFF and showcases Giamatti in a familiar role as Paul Hunham, a dyspeptic and curmudgeonly prep school professor (reminiscent of Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton). During the Christmas break, Paul is left behind to care for a single student named Angus, portrayed by Dominic Sessa. Giamatti has always shone when part of a formidable duo, whether it was Howard Stern in Private Parts, Thomas Haden Church in Sideways, Damian Lewis in Billions, or the heavyweight boxer played by Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. To witness Giamatti's talent in its early stages, don't miss watching him steal the show in Private Parts. Be sure to stay until after the credits for a poignant scene that reveals a defeated and embittered Kenny, who has been pushed out of the bustling city.
Private Parts is available for streaming on Paramount +.
Watch on Paramount+
