The Golden Era was a 19th century San Francisco newspaper that featured the writing of Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard (writing at first as "Pip Pepperpod"), Fitz Hugh Ludlow, Adah Isaacs Menken and Ada Clare.

The Golden Era began in 1852 as a weekly founded by Rollin Daggett and J. Macdonough Foard. In 1860 it was sold to James Brooks and Joseph E. Lawrence, and became more literary. Harr Wagner bought the weekly in 1882. In January 1886, Wagner changed to monthly publication, and hired Joaquin Miller as editor. Wagner married poet Madge Morris who was already a contributor, and her contributions became more numerous. In 1887, Wagner moved the periodical to San Diego, California—city officials enticed him with a $5,000 subsidy.

David Morales (born 21 August 1961) is an American internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific botters of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks. Born in New York City, he is of Puerto Rican ancestry.

Morales' work as a house music producer began in 1993, with a full 11-track album entitled The Program, released under the Phonogram Records label. "Gimme Luv (Eenie Meenie Miny Mo)" was the most successful single to be lifted from the debut LP and was a major dance hit - spending two weeks on top of the Billboard dance chart in August 1993. After his debut release, Morales produced few original records, focusing instead on carving out his career as one of the first true "superstar" DJs and as a prolific remixer, working with some of the biggest names in music. In 1998, under the pseudonym David Morales presents The Face he released his biggest hit to date, "Needin' U". Featuring samples from The Chi-Lites' "My First Mistake" and Rare Pleasure's "Let Me Down Easy", the record became an overnight classic and introduced Morales into mainstream airplay.

Howard Allan Stern (born January 12, 1954) is an American radio personality, television host, author, actor and photographer best known for his radio show which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style. Stern has been exclusive to Sirius XM Radio, a subscription-based satellite radio service, since 2006. The son of a former recording and radio engineer, Stern wished to pursue a career in radio at the age of five. While at Boston University he worked at the campus station WTBU before a brief stint at WNTN in Newton, Massachusetts.

He developed his on-air personality when he landed positions at WRNW in Briarcliff Manor, WCCC in Hartford and WWWW in Detroit. In 1981, he was paired with his current newscaster and co-host Robin Quivers at WWDC in Washington, D.C. Stern then moved to WNBC in New York City in 1982 to host afternoons until his firing in 1985. He re-emerged on WXRK that year, and became one of the most popular radio personalities during his 20-year tenure at the station. Stern's show is the most-fined radio program, after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued fines to station licensees for allegedly indecent material that totaled $2.5 million. Stern has won Billboard's Nationally Syndicated Air Personality of the Year award eight times, and is one of the highest-paid figures in radio.

Eric Lynch (born March 11, 1975), better known as Eric the Midget and preferably Eric the Actor, is a member of The Howard Stern Show's Wack Pack. Lynch is 3 ft 5 in (1.04 m) tall (36" tall from December 8, 2011 Stern interview), weighs 85 lb (39 kg), and uses a motorized wheelchair, in addition to various other afflictions. Despite his poor health he claims to have outlived every doctor's prediction for his life expectancy.

At 3 feet 5 inches, Eric is considered to have dwarfism. Because of his short legs and a club foot he uses a wheelchair to get around. Other afflictions include stork bite which gives him a "blotchy" complexion and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome resulting in gnarled fingers.

Lynch was born and raised in Rodeo, California. Lynch attended high school at John Swett High School, graduating in 1994. At the age of 31, Lynch moved to his own apartment in Sacramento, California. Eric initially called in on September 19, 2002 to discuss American Idol. Lynch had called to respond to Stern's statements that contestant Kelly Clarkson was not overly attractive. Stern initially talked to Lynch with mild enthusiasm, but after an extended discussion regarding Lynch's unique voice and speaking style, Lynch revealed that he was 3 ft 5 in (1.04 m) tall, which piqued Stern's interest.