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 lois

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are you serious, howard stern is the biggest pig on this earth, if the execs. do this you will have no idol watchers, and that will be the end of the show. i will never watch it again. WAKE UP EXECS.

By Ben from Baltimore

I hope that he doesn't ask female contestants with large breasts if they are fake or real. News Corporation/Rupert Murdoch owns the NY Post and Fox, so the NY Post probably has a good insider at Fox.

By frank dupre

I would love someone, anyone, to try to make a case to hire that ahole for any show. Did he save satelite radio? I don't think so! He is a jackass that only retarded teenage boys listen to get their nut off. WHAT A JOKE.

By Tricia

They need someone with a higher profile. Stern is not the answer...Elton John...Springstein...Mick...Bono...

By Lynn

There is NO WAY AI producers will replace Cowell with Stern. The target demographic would pull out so fast their heads would spin. Those who WOULD tune in, out of curiosity, to watch Stern would get bored quickly and tune out.

Randy is a class act. He'll never put up with Sterns unbelievalbe rudeness and Kara will never tolerate his vulgar remarks. There would more than likely be more law suits than AI would want to deal with. Stern's personality dicatates that he would be offending and crossing lines with the contestants with inappropriate and vulgar remarks, ESPECIALLY the young women. Howard Stern simply would NOT be an asset to the show.

Repeat viewers, who are loyal, is the KEY. If we leave..... the show is over.

By Robert

it seems network exec's have lost their minds.putting that idiot stern on idol would mean the end of the show.he is the most disgusting person in show business along with borat.I can't beleave that anyone with any morals would watch him.he is vial and disgusting.

By terrie

can't stand Howard Stern are they trying to get this show off the air beleive me this will work for sure.

By Danimosity

I don't believe they'd even consider Howard, but
if so...here's an ideal (yet expensive panel of judges) to consider:
Howard Stern
Rush Limbaugh
Oprah
and Ted Nugent

By robert

just because he(stern) makes a lot of money doesn't make him a good person nor does it make him smart or funny. he is typical of the moral decline that is destorying this country. anyone who listens to him shows their lack of moral fiber.would you sit down with your parents and children and watch or listen to him?if you would that tells the world what kind of person you are.

By ton

what do you know about moral fiber and what is your entertainment? stern has more moral fiber then you know and makes more sense then you do !

By heathershellusa

I think Howard Stern is a NO NO. Do your 1st and best work at whatever it is and stick to it. I would have to say he is mean, rude, laughs because of something funny and Howard get a makeover.
Simon is mean, rude, and laughs because someone sucks at what they do or trying to do and he is not funny and to most who agree he's handsome.

I have watched AI since it first aired on tv and when Kelly Clarkson won, OH YEA! It was awesome to see the same things going on and the same host and judges though now it is changing so much. I like some news things this year like the different guest judges such as Victoria Beckham glamorous as always. I wouldn't wanna give up watching AI because some changes to the show might be a good thing and who doesn't wanna see that.

If there was a Poll> Howard Stern to be next judge replacing Simon? I would vote NO.

By Lou

Should Stern replace Simon it's adios idol for me !!

BOOOOOOYAH

By Barbara

Stern is a disgusting pig. His nasty looks are only topped by his nasty personality. If that greasy animal gets the job, we will no longer watch "Idol."

Sunday 07 February

By Ralph Zuccaro

With Howard on this show, it would be a move to PURE DECADENCE~!!! He and Hugh Hefner have made women 3rd class play things- Howards vulgarity of mind would dominate the program-

By Richard Ott

Sorry, Howard Stern. You might be able to take over
David Letterman's spot on Late Night television, but
not even Rush Limbaugh could replace Randy Jackson
on American Idol, let alone the fact you'd even
think about replacing Simon Cowell.

By Micki

This show is declining and I believe this is just a publicity stunt. Certainly you don't take a family show and add Stern. He has a huge fan base but it is not the American Idol fans.

No one makes me sicker than this uncouth , degenerate, foul MINDED, foul mouth, Ugly, deformed body as this excuse for an entertainer and "human" piece of waste from a decadent world of his own!!!! The bes t thing this guy did, was to move to private radio, where IDIOTS have to pay to listen to his diatribe, drivel- !~!! What a TURD FACED , Screwed -up ,A--Hole this twit ca be!!!

Monday 08 February

By Deanna

This is a publicity act on the tv stations part. There is no way howard will be on that show. It would be suicide for sure. Very few people would want to see, or hear howard, there or any where. As we try to eat dinner, the last thing we can stomach would be howard stern. Only young people would want to hear him, so there gos most of their viewers. It would be one of the most ignorant thing they could do. Ellens name was thrown out for us to think about. Now howards name is out there for us to think about. They know very few people now care about him. Ellen will have lots more to offer the show. Howard has absolutly nothing to offer, but nasty little thoughts he like to talk about so much. As if howard would know true talent if he saw it. Ellen would bring some laughs the show sure needs it, and they know this.

By greenalexis

STERN WOULD MEAN THE DOWNFALL OF AMERICAN IDOL. WHO WANTS TO HEAR HIS NAUGHTY MOUTH.....................

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