Howard Stern to Replace Simon Cowell on 'Idol'?

By Sam Brand Posted Feb 6th 2010 12:13AM

The self-described 'King of all Media' took to the airwaves earlier this week to announce that he had been offered a high-profile job in network TV. On Friday, the New York Post reported the job is none other than Simon Cowell's soon vacant seat on 'American Idol.' Nobody at Fox has yet confirmed the report.

Is the rumor full of hot air, or might we really see the sharp-tongued shock jock eviscerate off-key contestants in prime time next year?

On Wednesday, Stern told Sirius subscribers that he was "approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year."

But he didn't accept the offer just yet.

"I did turn it down," he told his loyal fans. "I'm not even sure If I want to be working. I'm waiting to see what happens."

The New York Post's source confirms what the disintegration of the traditional media landscape has made increasingly apparent. 'American Idol' is "one of the few shows that could compete with Stern's $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and 'Idol' bosses think he'd be even nastier than Simon," the insider says.

Stern's unprecedented 5-year contract, inked before Sirius and XM merged and the company's stock dropped below $1, expires on December 31, 2010. Simon Cowell, who makes $50 million a year for his work on 'Idol,' will be out of the judging booth and laying the groundwork for the stateside arrival of 'X Factor' several months before that.

Fox knows Stern would make for "great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants," the Post's source says.

But another source isn't so optimistic that a deal will get struck. "Howard isn't ready to leave radio and would like to stay on at Sirius," the source said. "We believe this is a ploy to make Sirius pay up and keep him on his huge contract."

Some analysts believe Sirius and Stern could settle on a multi-year extension at $80 million per year.

Charles Barkley would make for a better 'Idol' replacement anyway.

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, charles barkley, CharlesBarkley, ellen degeneres, EllenDegeneres, howard stern, HowardStern, simon cowell, SimonCowell, sirius

Comments

(89)

Saturday 06 February

By Dvdfrnzwbr

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I never tuned into Idol, but if Howard is on I will be a new fan. Although I'm sure that prude adults might tune him out. I really don't see him getting along with Elan either.

By R

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IF RICHARD STERN IW EVER ON AMERICAN IDOL, MY FAMILY WILL NEVER BE FANS OR WATCH AMERICAN IDOL!! "ELLEN" IS JUST WAT AMERICAN IDOL NEEDS!!!!!

By Mike

My thoughts exactly! My wife watches it, and I have to go to another room...can't stomach it. Bring in Howard, I'M IN!

By Mr. Llewellyn

THAT WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO DESTROY AMERICAN IDOL. DO IT AND WATCH THOSE RATINGS TAKE A NOSE DIVE. STERN IS A THUG

Friday 12 February

By Beverly Johnson

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I had a hard time to watch Ellen D.
but have watched some because of Simon.
Take Simon off and I can not imagine ANYONE with morals, watching
Stern or Ellen.....
Everybody I know says same thing.

By J

Howard's the best they could get, but I don't think they can afford him. There's almost no one who is too big for American Idol, but he makes more than twice what Simon Cowell does yearly. He'd pull in enough ratings to make it worth their while, but they'd have to convince him up front, and it would cost them.

By mick1840

this is an evil nasty man, an i would not want my children around him. to me he is a disgrace to america.

By dlcrush54

If Howard Stern gets on American Idol I won't watch. Ellen was bad enough.

Thursday 11 February

By cherie

Stern stands for everything disgusting that a man could be but bash Ellen??? What are you nuts??? She's a great addition to the show.

By mark

I have been watching IDOL since its inception. I really like that show. I really think Howard Stern is a filthy pig. If they hire him, I am done with that show. We don't need more trash on TV, we need more class. Wake up networks. Understand Stern for what he is... An American Idol fixture he is not!

By JB

Are you kidding me? The best thing that could happen to TV is Howard Stern. Oh what a joy!! I'd love to watch Ellen squirm when she hears Howard is going to be sitting right next to her! I love it! Bring on Howard. I never watched American Idol, but I and many I know would start.

By Mariah

Just yuck. Crude and not funny. Seriously misogynisti. Eww. No Howard Stern.

By hwshockeymom

I would never ever watch American Idol again if Howard Stern took over. It was bad enough that they released Paula whom we loved, and now have guest judges which I personally don't like. To replace Simon with Howard is the end of American Idol for me. What are these executives thinking I can only hope they wake up and ask the public who would be best.

By Kingpindrs

1st they add a lesiban, than add a gay man, now thoughts of adding a pervert? The show is going to hell. If this all happens the show lost another fan. What is the network thinking? It's kind of like the Conan O'Brian, Jay Leno fiasco many said Conan would not make it. But the network did not listen and made a mistake. What happened to American values? Why are they trying to ruin the top show in TV?

By Rrick

If Stern is picked as Simon's replacement, I wont even bother to tune in.

By becky

that is exactly what i was going to say. i will never see another minute of the show that i have followed faithfully for every season it has been on. Howard Stern? are they nuts????????????

By john

HOWARD STERN WOULDN'T KNOW TALENT IF IT BIT HIM ON THE ASS!
HERE IS A GUY WITH LESS TALENT THAN CARROT TOP AND STILL MANAGES TO CONVINCE THE BRAIN DEAD AT SIRIUS RADIO TO PAY HIM ALL THAT MONEY? NOW HE WANTS TO RETURN TO TV WITH A.I.???
WELL I GUESS ALL GOOD THINGS MUST END....STERN IS THE ENGINE THAT RUINS GOOD SHOWS AND INTELLIGENT CONVERSATIONS....I GUESS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE HOWIE IS TO THAT OF THE GLASS WITH PISS THAT IS EITHER HALF FULL/HALF EMPTY...IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS...WHO GIVES A CRAP?

By Al L

I certainly hope not. He is the worse choice they could possible make and would destroy the show.

By Craig

Howard Stern????? Downfall of American Idol.....screw Fox if they took Howard. Let him stay in his hell hole on Sirius...he can swear and say all he wants...HS is an ass. If he was here in front of me I would smack him silly....

By JACKIE

I ALWAY'S FEEL THIS WAY OF ANYONE WHETHER IT BE ON TV OR RADIO, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TURN IT OFF! I USE TO LISTEN TO HOWARD STERN IN THE 80'S WHEN HE WAS ON AM RADIO. MR. GARBAGE MOUTH HIMSELF, BUT THAT'S ME! HOWARD WOULD NEVER TAKE THE SHOW AMERICAN IDOL, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY HE WENT SIRUS, SO HE COULD SPEAK HIS MIND AND NOT BE BLEEPED OUT. DO YOU REALLY THINK HE WOULD WANT TO GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS?

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