The new Simon Cowell: Howard Stern?

 We're one step closer to finding a successor to Simon Cowell, and according to reports, it's looking more and more like 6-foot-5 shock jock Howard Stern may take the seat. On his Sirius satellite radio program on Monday, Stern told listeners that he's seriously considering leaving radio entirely to take the "Idol" gig. "There’s not a better job on the planet than judging that ... karaoke contest,” he said.

Surprising? Absolutely. Not just because Stern might abandon the medium that's made him a millionaire several times over, but what's even harder to grasp is that he may leave his beloved New York City!

So how would Stern do out here in Cali? And could his unfiltered, often brutal honesty actually work on America's most popular show? What do you think?

-- Shirley Halperin

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Photo: Howard Stern. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[YUCK]

I will stop watching if they put Howard Stern in Simon's seat!

[NO STERN!!!]

I will definitely stop watching if Stern comes on. What a waste of airways.

[GaryK]

Howard is a great interviewer who would be a funny and honest judge. I would even start watching the show again with Howard on board.

[KUCY]

I will definitely watch Idol if they put Howard Stern in Simon's seat!

[Bella Alegmen]

I love Howard Stern, he will be a perfect replacement. He is honest and will tell it like it is.

[leesh]

I will never watch even a COMMERCIAL for this show with Howard Stern on it. What I like about American Idol is that it is relatively free of the filth you find on TV these days. Simon might be harsh, but he tells the truth- and there are very few people that can argue the reality of what he has to say, even if his methods of delivery are seldom kind. Howard Stern is the slime of the earth- who spews nothing but filth, degradation, and debasement. Fox, listen up- I promise you will kill the show dead...dead...dead if you put in a disgusting judge like Howard Stern

[Tom Seaview]

Howard is one of the few people who is smart enough, funny enough and talented enough to replace Simon. Having said that, and listened to his (entire) show today, it will not happen. He will refuse to dumb his act down to the level that would be necessary.
Besides, Howard has no respect for Ellen DeGeneres. (I won't repeat what he said about her today in a family newspaper). If he is seriously close to getting the job, Ellen will bail out... Randy will get scared... and the producers will pull the plug.

That's a shame: Howard Stern would make the last season of American Idol (it wouldn't survive) the funniest thing ever to air on Fox.

[dany degeto]

I would love Howard on Idol. I would actually watch this show b/c he is both honest and funny. He is also great will all kinds of people and would draw a huge audience.

[Susan Krauss]

I won't watch if Stern is the host - he's sexist, homophobic and a jerk.

[Patricia]

I say NO DON'T DO IT! It's just wrong! Since when did Howard Stern become an authority on music/singing and what it takes to be an "American Idol"? I really, honestly think that he will bring nothing to the show.

[John B.]

Well, that would spell the end for IDOL. A buffoon would work for maybe one episode and then it would get old. It has to be a music industry person who could actually make intelligent remarks and offer supportive criticism.

[Dan]

First of all Howard would be an excellent judge. There are very few in entertainment that have his honesty and frankness - something a judge should be.

In response to Susan Krauss have you ever listened to Howard Stern? I ask because you refer to him as homophobic. Howard has spoken up for gay rights for years fully supporting gay marriage. Howard has done wonderful things for the gay community and to say he is homophobic is really ignorant. I believe your comments come from you perception of Howard and not Howard himself.

[John A Booey]

Don't worry all you idiots who will refuse to watch "Idol" if Howard Stern takes the judges chair. Stern has has enough brains in that head of his to start his own show and have it run his way. Its amazing how childish and dumb you really are. Keep it up and Howard wont let you into heaven. Any show with out Howard, just isn't worth watching. A baba booey to you all.

[Tracie Haaksma]

LISTEN UP FOX !!!! HOWARD STERN IS NOT THE ANSWER!!!! He is not qualified to be a judge of anything!!! Talk about sending a show crashing to the floor. Talk about not having a "family friendly" person on your show!! The last thing I want to see is him tearing people down , THE MAN HAS NO FILTER!!! You can give constructive criticism to people with out being a JERK!! I for one will not watch if he becomes one of the judges....

[Eric]

I love Howard Stern. I even got satellite radio to continue listening to him. And if his appearing on "American Idol" will make people stop watching, resulting in the show being canceled, I say: put him on! Anything to rid the world of the American Idol cancer!

[MikeonTV]

@Patricia When did Ellen become an authority on music and singing. Not to mention, look at the shlubs who judge on 'America's Got Talent'.

@Tom Seaview Are you referring to when Stern called Ellen 'Vaginfeld'? That was very humorous.

If you look how people are responding to this 'consideration' you will see that not only is Fox going to see wave of new viewers who, before this, never considered watching such a (previously) irrelevant program but you'll notice that just a couple days of these rumors has kept the blogs, news shows and social networks buzzing. And we're a year away.

Fox has never been a 'family oriented' network. Look at the rest of their programming! Especially Sunday nights

This is a business deal before anything. If you would like to look at some of Sterns past televisions successes (because there isn't anything else) please do. http://is.gd/7Ybff

For all of you who say you will never watch 'American Idol', or even a commercial (who sees a commercial of a show they're not watching?), again - I say "Yeah frekken right!" Not only will you tune in to the first episode in 2011, but you'll have your buttery popcorn and high-sugar sodas within arms reach. You'll sit there at watch a man who has captivated groups of disbelievers time and time again. captivated and captured them for doing the only thing he knows how to do - be honest.

See you in 2011. Oh and save some popcorn for me!

Michael

[Stephanie]

I can't stand American Idol but if Howard becomes a judge I would would watch it every week. So sorry for the people that wouldn't watch you just don't know what you would be missing.

[Jordan]

Dear fools,

Stern is, and has been a DJ for decades, I think he knows music. Homophobic? He has gay staff, and George Takei is a friend of the show. You ignorant internet tools need to keep your mouths shut.
He also had his own band as well. For the rest of you ignorant people, if all you morons stopped watching Idol because of Stern, it wouldn't matter. Why you ask? Because there are just as many, if not more Stern fans than Idol. As well, there would be a crap load of people who would watch, even though they do not like Stern, just because they'd love to see something new. Idol is stale, just like the current judges, and your stupid points of view.

[Tom Paiyre]

I'd actually watch AI if this happened.

[FORMER IDOL VIEWER]

Have watched Idol since day one, but will STOP if Stern is at the helm. He's a disgusting frat-boy joke.

[BobFrapples]

Howard Stern is the Best Interviewer in the Business today. He is always ahead of his time and is 100% Honest. Randy and Kara are the only ones with a feel for the Industry and they are nice but borring...Hay...If Neil Patrick Harris can't do it...give to Howard...get rid of boring nice Ellen and put Rosie on there too...!

[Why not?]

The show is stale, Howard Stern is at the end of his contract, so why not? Howard vs. Ellen each week, Howard jumping down delicate contestants' throats... back to AI's roots when Simon was the big bad guy and less of an ornery teddy bear, which is pretty much what he's become.

And as for whether HS would have to water down his act to be on the show, well, compared to Sirius, I'd have to say yes. He can say anything he wants there, unlike most of his career in terrestrial radio. It's not like he can't play by the FCC's rules if he wants to, but it just didn't work with his radio act. So if he's not on the radio, maybe he can try another angle. I don't think people give him credit for his showbiz acumen, and he can still be brutally honest, fair, and entertaining without the naked ladies and f-bombs.

[janey]

Howard will be right when he says that he will be judging a karaoke contest, because that is exactly how the show will come across if he becomes the head judge. Howard is entertaining but no one who watches will ever take him seriously. Howard's okay, but his reputation precedes him and his reputation will now become American Idol's reputation, like it or not.

[Mike]

Whenever you mess with something that works, lord knows what is going to happen....but Howard Stern is probably the person that *theoretically* would be the perfect choice. I'd tune in.

[Jamie]

Susan - Have you ever even heard Stern's show? I'm gay and listen to his show, he is definitely not homophobic. He's an honest, smart guy who talks like most people do and isn't afraid to give his honest opinion.

It seems like people in this country are so afraid of any honest opinions for some reason. I for one would start watching the show if he became judge. He won't, because this is just a smart ploy on his part to get another huge contract from Sirius XM.