'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)

Wednesday 10 February

By Babs

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Howard would be great for the show. He is brilliant and would be hysterically funny.

By Dalilah Bee

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I'm sure Howard Stern would boost the RATINGS just 4 the WAY he is, believe it or not !!!

By wil2660

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I can't believe that the network would even consider putting that POS on Idol.

By gs3

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Howard would be awsome on the show!

By Robyn

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I would love to see David Foster be the replacement for Simon. Besides Simon, David Foster has discovered so many of our stars of today. He would be perfect!!

By jim

America has been so much better off with that sewer-minded and mouthed idiot on airwaves one has to pay to listen to. His dirt belongs out of sight, away from the eyes and ears of young and old alike. He must be an embarrasswent to anyone he is related to, if not every family in the country. If he came aboard,I would not tune in to Idol again, even to see how badly he failed.

don't be a hater.
he could buy and sell that show.

By Lee

If that dirt bag is hired, I stop watching AI.

By BLILZ08

JUST WHAT AMERICA NEEDS RIGHT NOW TO CLEAN UP ITS VIOLENT IMAGE, A PERVERTED RASCIST JUDGING A TALENT SHOW.

By Jonno

Stern is the ultimate dirt bag and does not belong on network television, He would try to make the show all about him instead of the contestants, his ego can't stand anyone else getting attention.
The other thing is that he would want all the contestants to porn stars

Stern is just a d-bag who has no class. How the hell could he add class to the show?

By Jo

If Stern was on the show.............he would make everything sexual........the guy is a perv !

By Rhonda

well personally for me if that were to happen I would never watch it again, I think the man is disgusting and has no business being on a Family Show like American Idol. I think he knows nothing about the music business that would warrant any opinion of his on that show, none whatsoever.. all he would do is ogle all of the pretty ladies, his mind would DEF not be on the talent.

By DENNIS SUTTON

HOWARD IS AN A****, AND SHOULD BE BANNED FROM BEING ON THE RADIO, OR T. V.

By Bob

If Stern joins AI I have watched my LAST SHOW.

By Paula

Who would want that creep on any show? He not only looks awful but is vulgar and low class. I think American Idol would lose some viewers if they foolishly let that clown on the show. Just looking at him makes me wonder if he ever had a bit of talent of any kind in his whole life. - Paula

By rbbaileyii

I wouldn't have Stern MC a dog-show, even if I thought he could win....

By jmslotnick

Howard Stern should remain heard but not seen as on satelitte radio. He is entirely too sloppy, raunchy and crude to be seen on live tv let alone heard. American Idol will sink big time if he is brought on.

By sharolson

you've got to be kidding!!! Views like yours are scarey.

By Dawn

Howard Stern Rocks. He's smart, funny and tells it like it is.

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