Howard Stern To Replace Simon Cowell on American Idol? Seriously??

By On 02/05/2010 · 37 Comments · In AI Season 9, American Idol, Simon Cowell

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I’m sorry, but the latest rumored replacement for Simon Cowell on Idol? Howard Stern? Seriously? The New York Post says so!

Via Page6

“American Idol” producers are eager to hire Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell as the show’s tough-talking judge, sources tell Page Six.

An insider said that producers of the hit Fox show say Stern, America’s highest-paid radio personality, is their top choice to take over from Cowell, who leaves at the end of this season. They approached the King of All Media after he repeatedly mentioned on-air that his exclusive Sirius XM Radio deal expires next January and he was open to other offers. Cowell was paid $50 million a year.

I find it hard to believe Idol producers would hire a personality as polarizing as Stern’s–especially amongst their core audience of women–as their replacement for Cowell. And the dude’s not exactly family friendly, either. WTF?

Sources tell Page 6 that Stern is only negotiating with FOX as a ploy to get his current employers, Sirius Satellite Radio to pony up enough dough to keep him on the air.

Err. Whatever.

The parade of Cowell replacement rumors between now and Season 10 is going to be fun to watch, considering how ridiculous it’s gotten already.

ETA: By the way, Howard Stern watches American Idol religiously. Back in Season 6, Howard got behind Vote for the Worst’s attempt to keep Sanjaya Malakar in the running–even inviting VFTW’s Dave to be a guest on his show…

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  • http://myspace.com/susanatfox sumidol

    Also, anyone thinking ratings would drop over a judge that is out there has not seen Paula on many occasions. The worst thing she ever did was to Jason, critiqueing him before he even sang, people were soooo mad, others times just a slurring mess. Did the ratings drop? No – they went higher. So, the judges can make the ratings a bit higher if they are risque like that but ultimately people return despite them if they have become invested in a singer or two. Just my opinion and sorry if I made anyone mad

  • dreamz

    Howard is the lowest level of our society. If he were to join Idol it would be a sad day, and would bring its demise.

    Simon is direct, but also likable and skilled at what he does. Howard is just plain reprehensible.

  • Nina1

    Ewwwwwwwwwwwww.

  • http://idolstages.com Connie D.

    Yuck! He’s nasty. I don’t want to see one minute of that guy.

    If Howard is in, then I’m out. I’ll just put all of my energy into X-Factor, no problem.

  • oceana

    Also, anyone thinking ratings would drop over a judge that is out there has not seen Paula on many occasions. The worst thing she ever did was to Jason, critiqueing him before he even sang, people were soooo mad, others times just a slurring mess.

    Paula’s no saint and she’s had her problems, but she’s loved by many people. She sincerely loved those kids on Idol and did her best to encourage and help them. She had a pill problem (or something) but she seemed to overcome it and the slurring stopped the last season or two. Paula’s a loving person, and also she is in the music business. We already have one judge who’s not in the music biz, we don’t need two, especially a vulgar mouthed “shock jock.” Here’s one example of his humor from wiki:

    For example, a few days after the murder of singer Selena, Stern criticized her music. Stern said, “This music does absolutely nothing for me. Alvin and the Chipmunks have more soul… Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth.” Stern’s comments outraged and infuriated the Hispanic community across Texas.

    Paula doesn’t say things like that.

  • oceana

    just to add, in 2004, Stern was fired from Clear Channel radio stations for indecent speech. So he does a satellite show. Fine, but he doesn’t need to be on tv on a popular show viewed by many who are not out looking for vulgarity but just want to watch a singing show. If the producers are looking for someone like that to replace Simon (hopefully it’s not true) then they are taking a huge risk. To take a top show and mess with it like that makes no sense. Don’t mess with a formula that works. #1 the person needs to be in the music industry, and #2 the person needs to be witty and acerbic but also likable and charming as Simon is.

  • kiss kiss

    If Howard is in, then I’m out. I’ll just put all of my energy into X-Factor, no problem.

    This, pretty much.

  • Niall

    Howard’s radio show persona is schtick. He wouldn’t be all pervy and gross on AI. I doubt this is going to happen but if it does he’d probably be a good, bluntly honest judge. He’s articulate and knows the business. Plus he’s a longtime AI fan and has had the judges and a few contestants on over the years. Justin, Kim Caldwell, and I think even Diana DeGarmo have braved his show.

  • oceana

    “Spanish people have the worst taste in music. They have no depth.”

    That’s schtick? Well calling it schtick doesn’t change the things he says. And so what if he acts nicer on AI? That would be hypocritical. Acting like one person in one place and another person somewhere else shows a lack of character.

    It’s schtick but it’s the one he chose and has lived by. It made him rich and famous. But he has to live with the results. Anyway, a lot of people would not watch the show if he was on it. Others would. The show would change dramatically and so would the audience. Whether the ratings would plummet or rise could not be known in advance. Millions of people like his show. Millions also like Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck. Millions listen to G. Gordon Liddy too. Maybe they watch AI, and they can become judges too.

    Just being a fan of the show doesn’t qualify you to be a judge. If they brought in Quentin Tarantino I would quit watching too. I think the bottom line is, they have to find the right person who won’t alienate too many loyal fans. Unless they want to change the audience and have a completely different show.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Howard’s radio show persona is schtick. He wouldn’t be all pervy and gross on AI. I doubt this is going to happen but if it does he’d probably be a good, bluntly honest judge.

    Yes, I agree. I’m not sure the show would survive the outrage though. LOL.

    He’s articulate and knows the business. Plus he’s a longtime AI fan and has had the judges and a few contestants on over the years. Justin, Kim Caldwell, and I think even Diana DeGarmo have braved his show.

    Yep. For the record, I like Howard. I used to listen to him all the time when he was on terrestrial radio. I wasn’t into the stripper sh*t, but I found many of his bits really funny.

  • goldenlpb

    What about Gene Simmons for a replacement. He knows the music industry and is a self centered jerk if they want that type of personality.

  • justjude

    Hmmm! Howard stern eh. They might as well change AI to
    AIH (insert Humiliation)

    Naahh, I vote for Glen Beck for bluntness and G. Gordon Liddy for
    being dazzled by B S!!!

    I think I’m going to eat my snack of homemade tuscany pizza and sip my leftover Ravens Wood Petit Sirah………Yum!!!

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