'Idol' producers want Howard Stern to replace Cowell

NY Post ^ | February 5, 2010

[ctdonath2]

Do they understand that Simon wasn’t just snarky, he was _insightful_? I mean the guy is a major music industry executive/producer/whatever, enough so that $50M/yr from Idol was practically chump change for him; he makes that kind of money because he KNOWS pop music REALLY well, and is harsh on contestants because he knows what kind of subtleties can make/break a singer’s career _bigtime_.

I’ll grant that Howard knows his material & industry really well too, to the same degree as Simon - but that industry is NOT what Idol is.

Redundant to say it, but must: they get Howard, Idol is over. Part of what made the show so popular was that it was so “safe”, which Stern is the definitive opposite of.

[paulycy]

American Golden Idol.

[FarRightFanatic]

First Ellen Degeneres now Howard Stern? Either way, we’re done watching it in this house.

[Hodar]

Stern will be lewd, crude and nasty! Why not just get Larry Flynt?

Nail meet head.
Mrs Hodar

[JoeGar]

They lost me with Ellen. Now this? The show is finished if they bring him on.

I agree one thousand percent.

[Deb]

If Stern comes aboard that will be the end of American Idol. People watch it because its (usually) a safe hour for families to watch TV together. Stern is a pig.

[PapaBear3625]

What is he going to do, ask the contestants to strip?

Expect behavior that will provoke a lawsuit by some contestant. Bet on it. Very bad choice.

[BallyBill]

Haven't watched American Idol, but I will for that. Stern can give Don Rickles a run for the money in the insult category.

Stern isn't joking though.

[Hildy]

Ya know..a bunch of multimillionaires laughing and mocking kids has grown old with me.

[Palladin]

DITTO, Hildy.

AI has jumped the shark this year and is taking a cruel and nihilistic turn.

[submarinerswife]

How far do they want their ratings to fall? Losing Cowell, adding deGenerous and now teaming Stern with Ryan Seacrest??

Ugh.

[freekitty]

There goes the show.

[My Favorite Headache]

Right and I would rather have him than Ellen.

[Pit1]

Officially jumped the Ellen.

[Wuli]

If this is true and if it comes to pass, I will be among the first of millions who will quit watching the show.

Howard’s presence and personality will turn “Idol” into a vulgar farce.

[Brass Lamp]

I am not sure how 'Idol lawyers would feel about this. They do represent the show to be a contest, with award contracts and prizes, and Stern already has history of throwing the show. This could get them into a lot of trouble.

[dead]

They do represent the show to be a contest, with award contracts and prizes, and Stern already has history of throwing the show. This could get them into a lot of trouble.

I don't know what history you're referring to, but I don't think they're going to let him count the votes. Presumably, he'll be responsible only for giving his own opinion.

[TChris]

I'll refuse to watch.

That's a perfect recipe for killing the show. Why not just cancel it? That would be cheaper.

[Brass Lamp]

Google “Sanjaya Malakar Stern”

[dead]

LOL! Stern wanted to take credit for Sanjaya. So did "Vote for the Worst.com".

It doesn't matter. Anybody is allowed to suggest to anybody else who they should vote for. It's a free country. If he was influential, which I doubt, he didn't throw anything. He just gave his opinion.