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)

Tuesday 09 February

By Donna

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You got rid of Paula Abdul, viewers are not happy. Next is Simon Cowell is off, viewers are not happy. Now you talk about getting Howard Stern as a judge, viewers stop watching! The guys is a jackass. It's why he can only get a job on paid radio. Let's keep at bay please. He's not for the public that watches American Idol, especially our teens!

Wednesday 10 February

By terri

IDOL HAS BEEN MY AND A FEW HUNDRED OF MY FRIENDS SHOW FROM THE BEGINING, BUT IF stern IS ON - WE WILL NOT BE. HE IS THE WORST OF THE WORST OF ALL TIME. I PRAY GOD STOPS HIM IN HIS TRACTS. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???????

By evie

If Howard Sten is added to the Idol judges I would no longer watch one of my favorite show. He is a disgusting pig!!!!!!

By Debbie

My family had been a fan of American Idol from the beginning. Even though Simon has never been one of my favorites I will admit he makes it interesting. But Howard Stern are you kidding me the man is disgusting. What are they thinking to even consider him to replace Simon. Your going to lose alot of fan base if you do that American Idol, bad move. At least pick someone who has some class. If he's your choice our days of watching American Idol will be over.

By Mark

WHAT a coincidence!!!!! Just last night my girl friend and I were discussing Cowell..... personally, I think he's a rude, insensitive idiot..... and could probably be replaced by a chimp! She thinks that this is Idol's last season..... either way, NO MORE COWELL!!!!!!!!1

By ramblinjoey

I think Simon and Howard are alike in that they both do not hesitate to speak their minds and are both brutally honest, but I also feel the similarity ends there. Stern dose'nt have half the class Simon does, and I think the show would take a nosedive in a short period of time if Stern was on it. A lot of people just do not like Howard Stern, and putting a person with that kind of low class personality would turn a lot of family viewers away. And after all, isn't AI supposed to be a "Family type" show? Finally how in the hell did this possibility even arise?

By maureen

Howard Stern is a PIG. If he is ever a judge on Idol I am done with that show. This was one of the only shows you could actually watch with your family. Over the last couple of years it has started to change. If you add him to the mix it will be just more adult entertainment. If you want to call him entertaining ( I Think NOT)

Saturday 13 February

By Mr. Llewellyn

You are right! It Will Cost Them!... about 75% of the viewers who know the difference! The simple truth is: Stern is a thug with a "radio face" and I believe the American Idol production will tragically go away "IF" Stern joins the A I staff. Good luck to all and I hope you find a little time this week-end to go and do something good for someone who needs something good to happen! Have a great week-end! (maybe American Idol should be asking it's fans for suggestions regarding this type of change...after all (evidently) we make decisions for them every week, why not allow us to make this one?).........have fun!

Monday 15 February

By Charlie Lefever

Stern has no talent. If he cannot swear, curse, talk dirty to women, he is a zero.

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