Howard Stern on American Idol - Will the Shock Jock Replace Simon Cowell?

Shock jock Howard Stern has been offered Simon Cowell's seat on the "American Idol". The New York Post's Page Six edition claims that Stern is in negotiations to replace the cynical Brit starting in the 2011 season when his Sirius/XM contract expires. He's hinted during his gig on several occasions on air.

"It's 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," an "Idol" source tells the Post.

Compete it might, but whispers in Stern's camp say he's not thrilled about touring the country auditioning talent, nor is he excited about the amount of time he'd spend in Los Angeles for performance and result shows. "I was approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year -- and I did turn it down ... I'm not even sure if I want to be working. I'm waiting to see what happens," Stern recently said on his show.

This doesn't mean the Fox ratings juggernaut is ready to give up. "They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. 'Idol' will do what it takes to sign him," the show source added.

A Stern source echoed to Page Six the belief that "this is a ploy to make Sirius pay up and keep him on his huge contract. But if Sirius can't pay him the money he wants, he may negotiate to film 'Idol' on the side."

Stern would join newly tapped daytime queen Ellen DeGeneres, songwriter Kara DioGuardi and producer Randy Jackson.

( Source: latimesblogs/february05)
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This move, if indeed it happens, will bring such a huge crossover buzz to the show... who is in dire need of a shake up. After nine seasons, the ratings have been great, but not as good as past A.I. seasons. This is the type of buzz that the show needs. The loss of Cowell is a huge loss, given the departure of another A.I. favorite, Paula Abdul. Stern is just the American to replace the "nasty" Brit. Hey if the negotiations fail to move forward...whats Rush Limbaugh up to these day??