# The Might Stephen Hawking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961 "2001-01-14T04:34:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/1 "2001-01-14T04:34:19Z")
Every once in awhile, on the Howard Stern show, they will play a clip of Stephen Hawking praising the show and saying how much he really loves Howard and he even ends with the famous Howard Stern caller ending: “F Jackie”. Is this really Stephen Hawking? ---
**Author:** ![barker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@barker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barker)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/2 "2001-01-14T05:22:33Z")
Serious doubts here. Never heard the clip. If it was in a computer generated voice at a rate of 15 to 20 words per minute it would become at least a litle less far fetched. The motor neurone disease that forces him to use a voice synthesiser has aflicted him for quite awhile now. Would Hawking really waste his time with Stern? I think it more likely that he would be posting at SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/3 "2001-01-14T05:23:17Z")
Interesting thing about Stephen Hawking’s voice: As it is completely artificial, anyone with a cheap text-to-speech program can reproduce it exactly. You could have it say things Hawking would never say, simply by typing in text and running the program. I’d imagine that the speech is just one of Stern’s jokes. Take it with a grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/4 "2001-01-14T05:28:20Z")
Well, yea, ummm, everyone knows about his voice and yes it was in a computer generated voice at around 15-20 wpm. -Of course, the title of this thread was supposed to be “The Mighty Stephen Hawking?” not “The Might…” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/5 "2001-01-14T05:30:25Z")
I was in a subway somewhere recently (can’t remember where), and Stephen Hawking was announcing the stations. At least that was my first thought. Then I realized that they must be using the same computer program that generates his voice to generate the announcements. I guess I’ve just heard Hawking enough that I think of the computer as “his” voice. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/6 "2001-01-14T05:59:52Z")
Well since I’ve realized over a long period of time that i am virtually the only Stern fan on this board I should have known better than to think this question would get answered…BUT, on the other hand, I’ve also realized over time that there are a **SHITLOAD** of Simpsons fans on this board, so…Was it really Hawking when he was on the Simpsons? (And don’t say they NEVER use fake voices because they do…they fake presidents voices and on an episode (rerun) last night i noticed they faked Lorne Michaels’ voice) ---
**Author:** ![Opus1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/858c86/32.png) [@Opus1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opus1)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/7 "2001-01-14T06:05:37Z")
Yes, Hawking was a real guest star on the Simpsons. He was listed in the credits and everything. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Lao](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dr.Lao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Lao)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/8 "2001-01-14T06:05:44Z")
Hawking’s name was in the credits at the end of the _Simpsons_ episode. That makes me think that it was indeed him. ---
**Author:** ![Lawmill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lawmill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lawmill)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/9 "2001-01-14T06:11:48Z")
If [http://www.mchawking.com](http://www.mchawking.com) can do it, a professional radio show can certainly duplicate a computer-generated voice. ---
**Author:** ![Erroneous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71c47a/32.png) [@Erroneous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erroneous)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/10 "2001-01-14T06:13:01Z")
That was actually Hawking on The Simpsons. He’s also done Futurama. Also, I think a few of those “faked” voices are simply uncredited ones, for whatever reason. The only uncredited actual famous person’s voice I know of, though, was Michael Jackson’s, in that early Cuckoo’s Nest-esque episode. I really don’t think it’d be him on Stern, though, and if they’ve only been using his voice for the last six months or so, it’s possible they got the idea from [http://www.mchawking.com](http://www.mchawking.com) Pfft. Previewing this, I see most of what I’ve just typed has been said in the last ten minutes or so. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/11 "2001-01-14T06:29:29Z")
Did some quick web searching and the only serious connection between the two I could find was that they are both “famous atheists”. Didn’t find any mention of a fake Stephen Hawking promo, either. So it isn’t contraindicated either. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/12 "2001-01-14T17:06:31Z")
Where would Stephen Hawking even get a chance to listen to Howard Stern? Is his show broadcast in the U.K.? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/13 "2001-01-14T20:59:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Erroneous \* > \*\*That was actually Hawking on The Simpsons. He’s also done Futurama. Also, I think a few of those “faked” voices are simply uncredited ones, for whatever reason. The only uncredited actual famous person’s voice I know of, though, was Michael Jackson’s, in that early Cuckoo’s Nest-esque episode. Also, Dustin Hoffman used a fake name. ---
**Author:** ![LazarusLong42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LazarusLong42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LazarusLong42)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/14 "2001-01-14T22:52:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by obfusciatrist \* > **Did some quick web searching and the only serious connection between the two I could find was that they are both “famous atheists”.** Hawking is also (supposedly) a fan of… well… nekkid girls. In the eighties, he bet Kip Manley (another physicist) that no black holes would be discovered by such-and-such a time. The wager was a year’s subscription to _Penthouse_. I’ve no idea whether this is apocryphal, but I don’t think it is. The original source was somethign like _Time_. But that’s certainly another similarity with Stern. 🙂 As to the OP–perhaps the people at Snopes could help you out? LL ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/15 "2001-01-14T23:14:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cisco \* > \*\*Well since I’ve realized over a long period of time that i am virtually the only Stern fan on this board I should have known better than to think this question would get answered…BUT, on the other hand, I’ve also realized over time that there are a **SHITLOAD** of Simpsons fans on this board, so…Was it really Hawking when he was on the Simpsons? (And don’t say they NEVER use fake voices because they do…they fake presidents voices and on an episode (rerun) last night i noticed they faked Lorne Michaels’ voice) \*\* You’re not the only guy who appreciates satire in it’s more prurient forms, Cisco. 😃 I also listen when driving to work. I have since about 1987. I do adore the brilliance of the Simpsons…but there is a good time and place for Stern, Quivers & Co. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Ell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ell)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2001, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/16 "2001-01-14T23:46:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LazarusLong42 \* > \*\* > > Hawking is also (supposedly) a fan of… well… nekkid girls. In the eighties, he bet Kip Manley (another physicist) that no black holes would be discovered by such-and-such a time. The wager was a year’s subscription to _Penthouse_. > > I’ve no idea whether this is apocryphal, but I don’t think it is. The original source was somethign like _Time_. But that’s certainly another similarity with Stern. 🙂 > > As to the OP–perhaps the people at Snopes could help you out? > > LL \*\* This is kinda true. In _A Brief History Of Time_ Hawking talks about a bet between him and Kip Manley. The wager was a year’s subscription to Penthouse for Kip or a year’s subscription to Popular Mechanic (I think) for Stephen. Stephen conceded the bet and gave Kip the year’s subscription to him, much to the dismay of his wife. ---
**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/17 "2001-01-15T01:00:38Z")
slight hijack- Yes, Hawking was a guest star on the Simpsons. **Erroneous** , your name befits you, but have no fear. It’s a popularly held misconception that Jackson did the voice for that Simpsons episode. The listing was one John Paul Jay (I’m pretty sure), who also was given a credit in the Flaming Moe episode, as the singer of the fake Cheers theme “Flaming Moe’s”. And yes, Dustin Hoffman was indeed the infamous “Sam Etic”. With jokes like that, how could the simpsons have gone wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Erroneous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71c47a/32.png) [@Erroneous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erroneous)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/18 "2001-01-15T03:01:16Z")
Commonly held misconception my right buttock (not to sound confrontational or anything). This from [the guide to the episode in question on snpp.com:](http://www.snpp.com/episodes/7F24.html) > [@](#): > > Who is John Jay Smith? > > When Matt Groening appeared on The Tonight Show, Jay Leno (who is a Simpsons fan) asked him if it really was Michael Jackson. Groening answered that he is legally restrained from confirming it. But he hinted very strongly that it indeed was the Gloved One. > > Paul Jeong (pjeong@oahu.cs.ucla.edu) reports from an appearance at UCLA of Matt Groening, Nancy Cartwright, and other members of the staff. (David Silverman is a UCLA alumnus.) > > “Someone asked if Michael Jackson really did the voice. They were silent for a long while, and then they said they can’t legally say whether it was Michael or not. Then they went on about how they hate using fake names. Then they said, read between the lines. (Wink wink.) And then they said how they never turned down a guest apperance…and one guy remarks, ``Hey, didn’t Michael Jackson want to be on The Simpsons?’’ Read between \ lines…” > > What do you want us to do, hit you over the head? Also, about a year ago, Harry Shearer was in Australia for a couple of weeks and appeared twice on the Tv show, _The Panel_. Of course, he was asked if it was really Michael Jackson, and instead of being all ambiguous about it, he simply said “yes, it was.” Back on topic, and I may well be erroneous about this one, but doesn’t Hawking live in England? Would he even be able to listen to Howard Stern over there? ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/19 "2001-01-15T05:30:16Z")
The bet was with Kip **Thorne** , at CalTech, about whether Cygnus X-1 was a black hole. Hawking’s claim was a subscription to _Private Eye_ magazine, against Penthouse for Thorne. Hawking conceded the bet. ---
**Author:** ![JoeyBlades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JoeyBlades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyBlades)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961/20 "2001-01-15T14:46:06Z")
Two notes: Hawking also played himself in an episode of StarTrek TNG. Stern’s show is available in the UK as part of the Sky Broadcasting System. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-might-stephen-hawking/49961.md?page=2)