what a combination

[The QUEEN]

Piers Morgan Tonight Howard Stern

[The QUEEN]

Howard Stern says he almost retired a few months ago because he felt he'd proven everything he needed to in radio.

In an interview to air on tonight's "Piers Morgan Tonight," Stern says he knew he had been wildly successful, and said to himself, "Really, why am I doing this anymore? It makes me crazy. I hate getting up early in the morning, and I don't particularly like doing the show."

But, Stern tells Morgan, he is "driven by a neurotic compulsion" to do his show.

He also tells Morgan about his desire to please his parents and says he was "rocked" a few years ago when his father, who worked in the radio business, called him a genius

But Stern says despite his father's praise he remains driven.

"I think it's my identity," Stern says. "Like, this is who I am. This is what I do." Stern says he feels like he "hit a home run" after a particularly great show. "Like I'm Babe Ruth, you know?"

Morgan also touched on the early days of Stern's radio program, when the show's outrageous stunts had never before been considered for -- and didn't necessarily translate to -- radio.