CNN's Ali Velshi Receives a Prank Call On the Air 2.68K Mike Byhoff 02/11/10 03:08PM Filed to: Pranks Pranks Cnn Ali Velshi Howard Stern Snowpocalypse tweet TV Video During CNN's blizzard coverage yesterday, Gene Lasker called in to advise everyone to "Stay in and contemplate Howard Stern on American Idol." Ali Velshi did not pick up that this was a prank call until Gene called Ali a dumbass.