Will Howard Stern's shock lose its awe?: The shock jock's Sirius Satellite Radio debut was an unfiltered 4-letter frenzy, but without limits some say fans may tire of his schtick.

Byline: Howard Reich

Jan. 10--The words tumbled out in a torrent--vulgar descriptions of body parts, bodily functions and the kinkiest sexual practices. The speakers seemed to revel in the telling, reiterating the blue phrases like a mantra, then laughing uproariously at each repetition.

But was it funny? Was it supposed to be? Each listener who tuned in Monday morning to Howard Stern's debut on Sirius Satellite Radio answered those questions individually, for humor remains as subjective as any other art form. Yet to those who work in comedy,…