Report: Howard Stern tapped to replace Simon Cowell on 'American Idol'

Shock jock Howard Stern has been offered Simon Cowell's seat on the "American Idol" dais, a new report says.

The New York Post's Page Six claims that Stern is in negotiations to replace the critical Brit in 2011 when his Sirius XM contract expires. He's hinted at mulling the 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 DeGeneres, songwriter Kara DioGuardi and producer Randy Jackson. 

Would you watch Howard on "Idol"? Would he make a worthy successor for Simon? Tell us in comments.

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: The new face of "American Idol"? Howard Stern in 2007. Credit: Peter Foley / EPA 

Check out related dispatches from the Ministry on Howard Stern. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

Comments

[Mando]

He'll probably lose the now viewers but how many millions of his own listeners would watch A.I.? I would. Love him or hate him, he has a following! I hate A.I., but i'd watch!

[Victoria]

There is absolutely NO WAY that I will continue watching the show if they replace Simon with this vulgar creature. It's bad enough that the judges are no longer a panel of individuals with music background. Not to mention that the show will lose A LOT of viewers and probably won't last with him on the panel!

[molly]

Unfortunatley Howard will never do this. It would totally make the show 100% better.

[Al]

Please tell me this is a joke!

[Vic C]

Choosing the be stripper/singers?. A lap dance competition? hmmm.

Assuming Stern can clean up his act, it should be interesting.

[Dunkenflugal]

Can't stand him! Will never watch again if this happens.

[A]

It's called jumping the shark.

[Idolfan2]

IF Howard Stern replaces Simon I will stop watching, and I know many others that will too. In fact, I believe within my circle of friends, as well as internet aquaintances, there is only one person that has said they will continue to watch.

[Joel]

Stern is a dirt bag. No way would I watch him on Idol. It would mean the demise of the show. What are they thinking? He doesn't know this particular part of the business and would not be able to judge good from bad. He would be far more hurtful by his own ignorance. No thanks. Not Stern the Jerk. Lionel Ritchie or Peter Frampton or Ringo Starr or Pee Wee Herman, anybody but Stern.

[D. Hayes]

For those who don't think Howard Stern isn't right for American Idol, don't know Howard Stern. Howard Stern is the ONLY hope for American Idol's continued success.

[Amy Jewell]

No-He makes me sick. I would stop watching immediately!

[droptout]

Howard would be the worst thing to happen to American Idol. Ratings would fall and the show would NO LONGER BE SUCCESSFUL. Think about it. Of the millions of viewers, how many are under 18, at least 50 percent. Howard is better suited for adult only programs. Parents will TUNE HIM OUT of living rooms at the click of a remote.

[B-rad]

All of the Stern criticism is from people that do not listen to him. He is NOT crass or rude. He is funny as hell. He will probably be more nurturing that Simon, he's basically a really nice guy - as anyone that listens to his show on a regular basis knows. He's funny, honest and doesn't pull punches. He would be fantastic.

[sam V]

Whoo......This would be the person who will uplift the Show to an higher level....Yes for H. Stern !

[sam V]

HECK YEAH!!!! I would watch with Stern.

[Matt]

The King of All Media on Idol would make me watch that crappy show. He would bring it to glory. Stern Rules! Bababooey Bababooey!

[Ryan]

Observe how these remarks can be neatly divided into 2 camps: Those in favor and those vehemently opposed. You can tell by the quality of remarks who has the best argument.

All these fat hens can take their grammatical errors with them to Applebee's while everyone else stays home to watch Howard's debut on Idol.

[ladyofargonne]

What a terrible idea. Howard Stern is worse than a bully, he's a pig.

[Joy]

What a boneheaded idea. Ellen at least will be entertaining and witty, although she doesn't know much about music. Howard Stern would be the end of the show. Has Simon Fuller gone off his rocker? That's the last AI I would ever watch. Howard Stern is a crass, rude, profane waste of space on the radio dial. Why on earth would AI's target audience sit through two hours a week of him? Time to put AI out of its misery.

[ANDREW]

YES, YES, YES. HOWARD STERN WOULD BRING IN SO MANY VIEWERS.
HE IS ONE OF KIND........JUST LIKE SIMON. HOPE THEY BRING HIM ON.

[Harvey Pearl]

Fox just lost a viewer..I wouldn't watch Howard Stern if I were paid.
to me he is just obnoxious.Shame on Fox........

[Scott]

The only good thing about AI would be Howard Stern. Randy Jackson and Ellen are has beens and always play "safe." Howard would tell it like it is and make the show watchable.

[believe in a higher power]

HOWARD STERN IS BRILLIANT!! you dont have to agree with him to appreciate his talent. He is a great interviewer, and always gives an honest answer. For all you people who just spew negativity out of your holier than now yaps have never listed to his show. People say he is a racist, a sexist or even better yet a homophobe...you crack me up! he is none of those things. he is a huge gay rights and gay marriage supporter. and he points out the obvious to all the backwards retarted yard couch folks.He doesn't pay his guests, they all come there volentarily, he doesn't force people to do anything they dont want to!! No ONE BUT HOWARD COULD REPLACE HOWARD AND ACTUALLY MAKE THE SHOW BETTER

[L Filice]

If Stern goes on, count me OUT. He is offensive

[pip]

The ONLY way Fox could get me to watch Idol next year is to have Howard on. He'd be great!