American Idol/FOX offer Howard Stern, Simon Cowell’s Job

American Idol/FOX offer Howard Stern, Simon Cowell’s Job

New York, Feb 5 (ANI): American Idol producers are planning to rope in “shock-jock” Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell when the latter leaves the talent hunt at the end of this season, it has emerged.

According to a source, producers of show feel Stern, America’s highest-paid radio personality, would be best on the show after the tough talking Cowell.

They are believed to have approached Stern after he repeatedly mentioned on-air that his exclusive Sirius XM Radio deal ends next January and he would be willing to consider other offers.

“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,” the New York Post quoted an insider, as saying.

The source added: “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.”

However, another source said Stern is not confirmed anything yet.

The snitch said: “Despite what he’s been saying on-air, Howard isn’t ready to leave radio and would like to stay on at Sirius…We believe 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 is also said to be unenthusiastic about committing to a show that would need him to tour the US as a judge and spend much of the year in Los Angeles.

He recently said: “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.”

So, there are rumblings that Stern has been offered Simon Cowell’s job on American idol. I don’t see it happening. Howard hates traveling and flying. If he’s gonna stay working, he’s still going to do a talk show. That’s my feeling.

Cowell was paid 50 million a year. To even make Howard bat an eyelash, you’re going to have to plunk down at least 100 million a year. The only way I could see it working is if instead of the catch phrase: “You’re going to Hollywood!” they change it to, “You’re going to NYC!”. Howard’s NOT doing an LA show. I just know this. Maybe when he was young, but that ship has sailed, and it’s docked in the Hudson River.

He would be a good fit, though. That’s undeniable. It would be FIREWORKS. And back to appointment television status.

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Permalink Posted in: american idol, comedy, howard stern, music, shabooty, show, sirius, tv February 5, 2010