'Idol' Doesn't Have Bleep Button Big Enough for Stern

By Kara Warner Posted Feb 9th 2010 04:50PM

While we were shocked when Simon Cowell announced his 'American Idol' departure, we were not prepared for Howard Stern to throw his hat in the ring to be considered for Cowell's old gig. At first, we thought Stern might be joking about his 'Idol' interest, but after bringing it up on his show two days in a row, it's time to consider the pros and cons of a Stern/'Idol' pairing. Entertainment Weekly Senior Writer and resident 'Idol' expert Michael Slezak likens Stern on 'Idol' to combining chocolate with cheeseburgers. "They're two great tastes," Slezak tells PopEater. "But I don't necessarily know you'd want them together. They're very popular, but I think there's a reason McDonald's has never offered a chocolate-dipped cheeseburger. I think Howard Stern and 'American Idol' are pretty much a chocolate cheeseburger." Can America handle a chocolate, Stern/'Idol' cheeseburger? Vote after the jump.

On Monday, the shock jock addressed the situation on his radio show, saying he'd accept a seat in the judges' booth for the right price. "They'd have to pay me a ton of dough because I already make a ton of dough," Stern said. "For $100 million a year, to judge a karaoke contest? Ok. Why not?"

There's no question he'd be interesting, of course, but does Fox have a bleep button strong enough to contain Stern's notoriously outlandish and controversial remarks? The shock jock thrives on his free speech and has always been outspoken about censorship and the FCC, so it strikes us odd that he thinks he'd be perfect for a network TV show and its mostly middle America-based audience.

Slezak does not think Stern's reference to the ratings juggernaut as "an f---ing karaoke contest" bodes well for his securing a long-term gig.

"I think his comments disqualified him for the position before it's even begun," Slezak says. "Say what you want about Simon, he's tough on the contestants, he's known for his pointed barbs, but he cares about the outcome of the show. It's one of the most important qualities of being a judge on that panel. You can get away with pretty much anything up there, as Simon has proven, as long as you care about the outcome and you care about the fact that the winner of this show is going to go on to do well. ... Howard Stern kind of flies in the face of that goal."

On the pro side, TV producer Michael Avila thinks Stern would provide a "massive adrenaline shot to the heart" of the show.

"He would be a tremendous 'get' for 'Idol,'" Avila tells PopEater. "He has an enormously loyal following that would very likely tune in just to hear what he would say, and he would earn whatever astronomical salary he would demand due to the press he would generate."

On the other hand, and given Stern's flair for the outrageous, Avila says Fox would be entering potentially dangerous territory in signing him. "This is a guy who built an empire around sexually primitive behavior. Imagine what he'll say to the next girl who auditions in a bikini? And can you imagine how vicious he'll be during Hollywood week? It could be awesome TV, but it could also be disastrous. Fox should start an FCC fund if they hire him."

Which, according to Slezak and his insider sources, is not likely to happen. "In conversations I've had with people close to the show, they say the process of casting a replacement for Simon has just begun," Slezak says. "There is a long list of people who are interested in the job and that there is no front-runner. It's hard to not think [Stern] is using this as a salary negotiating point."

Tags: american idol, howard stern, simon cowell

Comments

(399)

Tuesday 09 February

By mjr

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WELL HE WOULD TRIPLE THIER RSATINGS....AND ADD SOME CLASS TO THE SHOW

Wednesday 10 February

By sharolson

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WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON???? PERFORMERS DON'T DESERVE THIS KIND OF PERSON SITTING THEIR IN JUDGMENT!

By Nancy

Howard Stern has no class!

By Leon

add some class to the show !!!!!!!!!!!! what have you been smokin'

By MIKE

OBVIOUSLY A MEMBER OF THE IDIOT FRINGE THAT AMERICAN IDOL CATERS TO. I PUT HOWARD STERN IN THE SAME CLASS AS DAVID LETTERMAN. THEY ARE BOTH INFANTILES WHOSE MAIN FOLLOWING HAS AN AVERAGE IQ OF 75.

By aj

when you said add some class, didn't you mean to leave of the c and l? That is the description for H. Stearn

By nova8uc

Are you joking? Mr. Stern does have his place, it is NOT on a show like this.

By PerrieinCO

CLASS? Are you kidding me? He is the most classless person. I would not watch if he was on the show.

By Ash

Howard WOULD add class to the show, but I don't think that is what the producers want. Those goons on there now are aweful.
I used to watch American Idol, but not anymore. If Howard were a judge I would watch again just to see him.

By sally

I would stop watching Idol if
stern was on, he is rude,crude and knows nothing about singing. can't stand the guy

By Merrily

mjr

What are you smoking? People don't like Simon's ways of criticizing, but he does know what is good and what will sell. Howard is lasciviously obsessed with sex and that will never fly on AI. He needs to be on pay cable - not for public consumption.

By Jim

Yeah right, He would add class, according to satan.

By bob

he's a jerk, and I will stop watching it if he is the replacement !

By dvdfrnz

Howard's extensive experience with breast examination and judging should be qualification enough.

By platehead1

How right you are. The would lose many viewers who hate Stern (and who have probably never even listened to him), but they would gain millions of viewers like me, who would never even consider watching that poor excuse of a program (actually semi-scripted, I might add) if Howard wasn't on it.

By Karen Cherro

The only class he has, is 3rd.

By Ron

How can anyone say that Stern will add class to this show? Stern has no class. I'll bet good money that Idols ratings drop drastically when and if he shows up. It's already lowered itself by bring that idiot Ellen on the show.

Thursday 11 February

By Rick Cain

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Are you from another planet or what ? Stern has absolutely NO class, And would be an embarrassment too the show. And I disagree on the ratings issue as well, I Believe the ratings would drop. I for one would be out. If you want Stern (don't know why anyone would) Turn on your radio.

By char

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I love Howard, been a fan since WNBC, but class?? Not a word usually associated with Howard.

By susan

One has to wonder about what you consider class...LOL I guess drinking out of a bottle instead of a can? pfffft.

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