Eric the Midget

Eric Lynch, aka Eric the Midget, aka Eric the Actor, has been a caller to the Howard Stern Show on-and-off since 2002.  He has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, is 3 feet tall (85 pounds), and is confined to a wheelchair.  He partakes in a symbiotic relationship with Stern and his radio partners, where they tease him, and he in turn gets to unload rage on them and to act like a little tyrant. 

I like Eric.  And at the same time, I find it easy to laugh as he demonstrates anger, vindictiveness, lust towards women, wild romantic crushes on a series of women who sang on "American Idol", ingratitude at anyone who wanders into his orbit, an inability to differentiate leg-pulling from something that is possibly real, and above all an argumentive spirit and temper.

I've been listening to Eric's calls for a long time now.  This is not a passing fad.  It is perhaps not obvious to some casual listeners that this relationship is moderately healthy, or that the calls are inherently funny.  But I submit to you that Eric does reflect nearly every trait of inflexible behavior that can make for great humor, that Stern has handled him in a way that benefits both parties, and that these calls qualify as fascinating and funny.

Compilation - Midget Rage 1

Midget Rage 2

Eric's First Visit to the Stern Show