John Melendez, known as “Stuttering John,” a former staff member on The Howard Stern Show from 1988 to 2004, has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court on August 7, 2025, against comedians Karl Heberger and Shuli Egar, along with their associated entities, The Shuli Network and Who Are These Podcasts?.
Melendez alleges that Heberger and Egar illegally recorded private phone calls, including one with comedian Kate Meaney, and used these recordings to mock and ridicule him on their podcast and during live events, such as “Dabblecon 2” in Rochester in August 2024, where Melendez was a featured attraction.
The lawsuit claims the defendants exploited Melendez’s voice and likeness for profit, capitalizing on his established reputation as a comedian and broadcaster, known for his provocative celebrity interviews and prank calls, including a notable 2018 call to President Trump.
According to The NY Post Melendez further alleges that Heberger and Egar trespassed onto his Los Angeles property, rummaged through his trash, and took items like sofa cushions to use as comedic props in their performances, aiming to humiliate him and appeal to fans through a “bizarre, personal connection.” The lawsuit asserts these actions violated Melendez’s right of publicity and caused him harm. Heberger and Egar have dismissed the lawsuit as frivolous, with Heberger suggesting Melendez is attempting to profit from his notoriety, and Egar calling it a “pathetic attempt” to capitalize on his fame.
Prior to the lawsuit, Melendez’s legal team sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding $300,000, which was discussed on The Shuli Network with both defendants.
This is not Melendez’s first legal action; he previously sued SiriusXM in 2020, alleging misuse of his likeness for Howard Stern Show promotions, but the case was dismissed, a decision affirmed by the Second Circuit in 2022. Melendez, who also served as an announcer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno until 2014 and ran The Stuttering John Podcast until December 2024, continues to perform stand-up and create cameo videos.