Stern Overthrows ‘Empire’

Howard Stern, the self-proclaimed “King of All Media,” toppled “The Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition” from its No. 1 box-office position. Stern’s “Private Parts,” the much-hyped comedy based on the shock jock’s bestseller, took in $14.6 million its opening weekend.

Claiming the No. 2 spot was Tim Allen’s latest comedy, “Jungle 2 Jungle,” which had a three-day gross of $12.8 million, the biggest March opening for any Disney release.

The special edition of “Empire” placed third with $8 million.

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Weekend Gross/ Screens/ Weeks in Movie (Studio) Total (millions) Average Release 1.”Private Parts” $14.6 2,138 1 (Paramount) $14.6 $6,836 2.”Jungle 2 Jungle” $12.8 2,316 1 (Buena Vista/Disney) $12.8 $5,532 3.”Empire Strikes Back: Special Edition” $8.0 2,116 3 (Fox) $274.4 $3,804 4.”Donnie Brasco” $7.8 1,593 2 (Sony/TriStar) $23.4 $4,916 5.”Booty Call” $4.1 1,272 2 (Sony/Columbia) $13.8 $3,193 6.”Star Wars: Special Edition” $3.9 2,039 6 (Fox) $453.3 $1,910 7.”Absolute Power” $3.7 2,116 4 (Sony/Columbia) $42.1 $1,755 8.”Dante’s Peak” $3.2 2,279 5 (Universal) $56.8 $1,415 9.”Vegas Vacation” $2.4 1,873 4 (Warner Bros.) $30.6 $1,274 10.”Marvin’s Room” $2.4 1,158 12 (Miramax) $8.7 $2,043

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SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations Co.