More Howard going to American Idol talk

Thanks to Artie's Talkin Gut for the info
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NY POST STORY


"American Idol" producers are eager to hire Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell as the show's tough-talking judge, sources tell Page Six.

An insider said that producers of the hit Fox show say Stern, America's highest-paid radio personality, is their top choice to take over from Cowell, who leaves at the end of this season. They approached the King of All Media after he repeatedly mentioned on-air that his exclusive Sirius XM Radio deal expires next January and he was open to other offers. Cowell was paid $50 million a year.

A source connected to "Idol" said, "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.
"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."

But a second source told us Stern hasn't made the "Idol" talks easy, and has been giving out mixed messages about his intentions.

"Despite what he's been saying on-air, Howard isn't ready to leave radio and would like to stay on at Sirius," the source said. "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 believed to be reluctant to commit to a show that would require him to tour the US as a judge and spend much of the year in Los Angeles.

He recently said, somewhat cryptically, "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."

Calls to Stern's agent and producer were not returned. A rep for FOX declined to comment.
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WALL STREET JOURNAL ASKS: WHAT KIND OF JUDGE WILL HOWARD BE ON IDOL?


This morning, The New York Post’s Page Six reported that shock jock Howard Stern has been offered Simon Cowell’s soon-to-be-vacated job as token downer-judge on “Americal Idol.” Stern is in play because his contract with current employer SiriusXM expires in January, but the Post also says the radio host may just be using the offer as a positioning ploy with Sirius, having recently said that he “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.”

In the off-chance Stern is given the magic seat alongside Randy, Kara, and newcomer Ellen (whom we’re sure would be super-psyched to share a table with the shock jock), what kind of judge would he be? Caustic and biting, for sure, but what about soft spots? We skimmed though some of the Stern’s past fave musical guests to find out. Turns out, anyone singing the Beatles might be spared, but enemies of Alanis Morissette, watch out!

Listen to his musical judgments below:

Stern told guest Alanis Morissette: “You know I love your music. I’m a big big fan of yours… this album will be great because it’s about a breakup.” He later plays her a bit of music from the album of Scarlett Johansson, the new wife of Morissette’s ex, Ryan Reynolds, and calls it “awful.”
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