The Daily Beast Debunks the Howard Stern Rumors

By On 02/09/2010 · 13 Comments · In Simon Cowell

Richard Rushfield of the Daily Beast repeats what Entertainment Weekly reported a few days ago–that nobody from Idol has, in fact, approached Howard Stern to take Simon Cowell’s place on the American Idol judges panel:

Read it HERE.

Howard Stern will not be replacing Simon Cowell, according to American Idol insiders. This week the Idol nation buzzed with the possibility, first mentioned in The New York Post. The rumor was propelled by Stern on his radio show yesterday when he said, “It might be possible, we’ll see.”

There is, however, less to the story than meets the eye. Two Idol insiders told The Daily Beast that no offer has been made to Stern, and that in fact, with the new season just beginning, the show is months away from choosing a replacement for Cowell. A source familiar with the search process says Stern was never even being considered.

Rushfield has also noticed that, in the audio I posted from Stern’s radio show yesterday, he never actually admits that he was offered the job. ( I noticed this myself, but thought maybe an explicit reference from Stern was omitted from the online edits.)

But honestly, it would be just like Stern to take this news story and run with it. His peeps may have planted it in the first place. Or, maybe even the Idol Powers That Be leaked the story, hoping to drum up controversy on the eve of Hollywood Week.

No matter how you look at it, it just does not seem plausible that Idol would consider the polarizing and decidedly non-family friendly Stern as a permanent judge. And no way would Stern leave his beloved New York City, and the world of radio broadcasting to take on a job that would force him to tamp down his more outrageous tendencies.

No, Stern is just having a little fun, and hoping to leverage the gossip into a bargaining chip with his current employers, Sirius satellite radio.  (Stern’s current contract is up at the end of the year.)

If Stern were actually seriously negotiating with Idol for a big-bucks job as judge, he’d be keeping his mouth shut right about now.

Just watch–the person who finally gets the job will totally come out of left field. Folks like Tommy Mattola and Guy Oseary, who have been floated as possible Cowell replacements are probably keeping their PR agents super busy–just like Howard Stern.

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  • will

    Thank you Richard Rushfield, and MJ, for debunking this absurd non-story.

    Incidentally, I was unaware until just now that Richard is no longer West Coast Editor of Gawker.

    http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/richard-rushfield-leaves-gawker-12096

    Strangely, he hasn’t updated the bio on his own blog with that information.

    http://www.richardrushfield.com/

  • Truthiness

    ZOMG! Howard Stern just say something just to stir crap up, and for publicity, and possibly leverage for himself? The hell you say! Who knew?

    How I LOATHE that man.

  • Chicagolaw

    Yeah, can’t really see AI’s “family friendly” audience ever embracing Howard Stern. TPTB at American Idol aren’t that stupid.

  • GreenHippo

    Oh Good – I can breathe again.

  • http://mjsbigblog.com/luvadamlamberts-american-idol-tour-2009-washington-dc-re-cap.htm luvadamlambert

    <No, Stern is just having a little fun, and hoping to leverage the gossip into a bargaining chip with his current employers, Sirius satellite radio.  (Stern’s current contract is up at the end of the year.)

    yup

    I just want Simon back :(

  • http://myspace.com/susanatfox sumidol

    That foul mouthed little genius, ha ha ha – look at all the time and attention he got for himself. Peoples panties all in a ruffle and all indignant over something that was just a joke, his name in their mouths for the past few days, smart man – like him or not this was a smart pr move. Keep talking about him – good or bad he is loving this!

  • lorismile

    After reading what he said on his show Monday, I’m glad he didn’t judge last year. Since I don’t watch Idol normally, I really don’t care if he judges it in the future.

  • will

    This story is not going to die an easy death. Stern was apparently talking it up again today, and the media continues to do his bidding:

    ‘Idol’ Doesn’t Have Bleep Button Big Enough for Stern

    And shockingly, Lyndsey Parker thinks it’s a swell idea:

    Why Howard Stern Would Rock As An ‘American Idol’ Judge

  • lorenzo

    “Howard told the crew he was planning to make some big changes if he takes over Simon Cowell’s ‘American Idol’ chair: “I’m not just giving opinions on music. I’m giving opinions on Ellen…” Howard said he wanted to turn the tables on Ellen: “People who’ve worked with her have told me she’s impossibly rude.” Still, Howard didn’t think it would happen: “It’d be very difficult for them to get me to do this job.”

    Mj’s Ellen comment makes sense… now. When Mj said something about Ellen being a Bi!#$ I thought it was crazy, she seems to be sool nice and “real”..etc

  • karenc

    I couldn’t see this working at all, especially since some of the contestants and many viewers are below 18. Also, he isn’t a music excecutive, and that’s what we get from Simon, is a music executive’s point of view. He may be brutally honest, and sometimes nasty, but he does sometimes have some good advice. Though I wish they would get someone that would give some more constructive criticism than Simon does, and I don’t think he really gets some types of American music, especially with rock and country. But I think having Howard Stern as a judge would be a terrible move for the show, and I’m glad it wasn’t true.

  • SpenserJ

    his name in their mouths for the past few days, smart man – like him or not this was a smart pr move. Keep talking about him – good or bad he is loving this!

    Everything Stern does is a PR move. I don’t think he even knows what he really thinks anymore. He may always love the attention, but it’s a sad little life he’s got. There are times when I think Howard is quite funny, and he’s clearly intelligent. But, whenever I see him, all I can feel is pity.

    There was no way in hell that Fox would allow the AI PTB to hand the reigns of their flagship program over to one of the most polarizing men in the country. Howard just likes talking about himself, so when there’s nothing new to say, he makes shit up.

  • oceana

    A source familiar with the search process says Stern was never even being considered.

    I hope that’s true. It was dismaying to think they might be considering him.

  • CRB

    They should get Stern and then just put the AI logo over his mouth and bleep him.