'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 shamunancy

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Howard Stern has too much of a POTTY mouth. Kids would not be allowed to watch the show and alot of adults would stop watching the show if he joined the cast. David Foster, Neil Diamond, Victoria Beckham was excellent on the road with the show. She would be awesome! Yep, I like her for replacement of Simon !

By Gail, Smile

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Stern, would be great..honest, and he knows talent.. the only way without simon that show would get ratings.

By lu

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If you can have Ellen and Howard as a judge than I would like to apply for the position.... I am a 59 year old New yorker who loves music and been thru from the late 50's - now with the music business.... I even still today have a voice better than most people who made it thru Hollywood... I would like to apply for the Judge position on American idol... Why not? I find myself more qualified than Howard or are you just looking for someone popular in the media or someone that will give there hones opinion? While I am being honest let me say the gentleman that won last year was o.k. Just o.k. He was good but not great.

By betty

It was bad enough to lose Paula but then to bring in Ellen Degeneres to try to repalce her...NO WAY. Send Ellen back where she came from. With the loss of Simon the show ia dead in the water, if the producers hire Howard Stern they may as well cancel the show. Howard Stern is nothing but trash. With Simon gone I will be too.

By D

If Stern gets it I will quit Idol. He is the ultimate SH. He has no talent and contributes nothing. If he had to clean up his language he wouldn't be able to talk.

By Joe Kulka

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

It does'nt matter what you say about Stern.He's still the right guy for American Ido.You put someone else in Simons spot.The show is finished for good.Bring on Howard the savior.

By Gia

I can't think of anyone better to replace Simon than Howard Stern! He'll totally be able to rip on the weirdos and will hopefully have a good enough ear to hear a quality voice. I really just want him there to get on the people that can't sing and look like hell. If they really wanted to make a show that's worth watching with SKY HIGH ratings they should make some kind of interactive show where we the people have control buttons in the begining part of the audition stage. We should be able to have a vote in if some one goes to Hollywood or flat out gets the boot! There were a few people that I thought were pretty good that should have been given a chance. Even with the first round of eliminations I thought the girl with the down syndrome brothers should have gone through. She has a decent voice!

By Rodney Donovan

Stern is nothing more than a turd bucket. All those who listen to him are the turds in the bucket. As for Simon, good riddance you no class phony. Paula, leave the kids alone you perv. As for this staff, you have no morals, no brains, no class, ergo only sensationalism.....kinda hard to keep it classy when all you write about is trash.

Master Rod

By Snookhookr

Why would "Idol" choose this foul-mouthed effeminate porn salesman to judge on their excellent FAMILY show?
Can't you see Stern in character saying "Carrie Underwood. Show me your boobies?"
Please, Idil....show some class and look elsewhere for your replacement.

Snook out

By Ann

I think everyone is being too critical. Stern would definatly be great on the show. Believeor not he does know how to act in the public spot light. Are all of you forgeting the movie he made about hislife story. There was no crude or outlandish behavior. Stern knows wha the rules are on public broadcasting. I think it would eb great to have Stern, Ellen, and Randy "Dog" together. I also think you are forgeting that Stern is also an expert in the music field.

Ya'll are so critcal, without giving a person a chance.

By Hannah

I am LMAO at people who actually think Stern on Idol would increase the ratings. He might have a radio audience if you like that kind of trash, but he is NOT made for TV. He is like Rush Limbaugh on smut steroids...loud, arrogant, foul mouthed, sexist, rude...need I go on? Now if they want to move Idol to MTV with the rest of the trash (cough..Jersey Shore)...then have at it Howard. He is NOT ready for prime time, and he never will be. He has no filter.

By bill

some of you need to get a life. howard keeps it REAL. go back to watching cartoons.

By Ken

After watching Ellen do her imitation of what an American Idol judge would do and say (except for the mindless game of Simon Says which no adult, judge or not, would do) Howard Stern would be a great addition. He's way to smart to present anything other than the PG version of Howard Stern on Idol and he may be one of the few who can bring the needed personality to Idol that will be sorely missed when Simon leaves. I don't know if Fox has the guts to really pursue it and I don't know if Howard would really consider it but if they add another insipid, Ellen-like, judge to the panel the show will have no real texture at all. Howard and Paula back works even better.

By tito

American Idol SUCKS, It always has and always will. The people that watch this crap are just as stupid as the people who go on the show. Its like the Gong show from the 70's with a way less intelegent audience. Its just another in a long line of distractions to keep the American Idiots occupied while the Facist government of this country runs it and its citizens into the ground. Please for the love of science CANCLE THIS WASTE OF AIR TIME!

By Lori

Why are Idol contestants always referred to as "kids" when the vast majority are between 18-28 years old? They are young adults (college age and older)and shouldn't be babied. A few are 16 and 17 but they are getting into an adult world of business and money. Toughen up or fail.

By craig

Stern on Idol would trigger the end of that show and my support.
He is just to crude for that format....and what qualifies him as a good judge.

By Bob

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Howard Stern has two moving parts, both interchangable.

By Joan Serrani

No Way No How Please tell me TV has not sunk that low.

By julandrobm

I thought this was a family show! The word "family" and Howard Stern do not go together - besides he would try to make this into the "Howard Stern Show". Wasn't it Howard Stern who tried to destroy the Idol voting system over the last few years with a campaign trying to get people to vote for the person they thought was the worst performer? Having Stern on would really put an end to the show.

By KW1952FL

HE IS THE EPITOMY OF MORAL DECAY. I WOULD RATHER BURN MY TV THAN TO SEE HIS FACE IN IT.

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