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 Diana

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If howard will be on Iol,, I will never watch it again,, I cant stand that 'man' !!! Not only is he hard on the eyes, hes an immature pig.

By katie

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Howard Stern is one nasty person. Ellen on Idol ? Got any more bad choices? If it ain't broke don't fix it. Idol was just fine except Paula should stay off the sauce before speaking. Remember the female judge who stripped off on Idol, send her to Howard Stern and they both can be NASTY together .

By joy

Bad choice Howard Stern ,i will longer watch american idol.There is nothing about him i like when simon leaves the show is done

By tammy

howard stern is a skank.

By Charlie

I must be the old prune (and proud of it) the last person was talking about. American Idol will no longer be on my list of shows to possibly watch if Howard Stern replaces Simon. He should be banned from all media. He's a disgrace to the United States.

By jonpluc

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I dont see what your so proud of. You want people to be banned from the media because they have a different viewpoint about things than you do? We have a word for people like that. We call them the Taliban.

By Ken Siemers Sr.

Who cares? With all the problems the world is facing, who has time to even consider the importance of who judges on American Idol? Maybe the focus of America should turn to more important things again.

By sharon

well that will be the last season of AI. HS is a disgusting piece of crap. Always was, always will be.

By Lisa

If Howard Stern is put on Idol, we will never watch Idol again... It's bad enough we've had to put up with crappy guest judges. Paula was the heart of the show... I can NOT even believe they are replacing her with Ellen. But Howard would go way too far. We won't be watching if they offer Victoria Beckham the job either. Can't stand her...
Looks like FOX is doing all they can to end their show... way to go guys! you are about over with!

By Mary

I don't watch Idol now and I sure as hell won't watch it if Howard Stern is a judge. He is nothing but a low life creep who sometimes I believe is un American. He should have been locked up years ago and with the key thrown away.

By Mike

Holy Mother of God.

By garry

howard whoooo...... he will do anything to get back in the press. too bad stern. G. Beck has the biggest listening/watching group of all time. you and king are sooooooo yesterday

By jessi

what a waste of good space STERN is.

By wm bruce

bad move won't watch

By IconKestrell

Howard is the only logical replacement because he's very much like Cowell. Ellen? All she'll do is tell everyone how great they are even when they stink. The show would continue to have its edge if Stern did it. Everyone who thinks that Howard would not be the best candidate obviously does not listen to him on Sirius. Howard is one of the most genius people to ever be involved in entertainment and the reason why is he always tells it like it is. If you're good, he can recognize talent, if you stink, he'll let you know. Just because he uses vulgar language sometimes resigns people to think that they're better than him or he's not qualified. They should replace the whole panel with Howard, Robin, and Richard Christie. THAT would be a number one show.

By jake

A.I. is DEAD, STERN is just TRASH.

By Warm Hugs

That show used to have class

By Rock Fossil

Howard did Ellen in da butt! Howard for Prez!!!

By debspoone

I personally thought Simon was ok even though I did not always agreed with him but if they put Stern on the show they have lost a viewer and I suppose they will lose thousands more. Stern to me has no morals whatsoever and I do not support that kind of behavior

By Pat

I never miss American Idol , but if Howard Stern is on it , It will be my last time watching it . hE IS REPULSIVE

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