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Let’s be honest – the report by a “source” that Howard Stern is in talks to replace the departing Simon Cowell on “American Idol” is intriguing. I mean, on the surface, it’s a great idea only for the notoriety and at least initial hype and curiousity it might bring, and for how that could translate into ratings, but a horrific idea for all the other reasons that people watch “American Idol” – it’s supposed to be a family show, it’s supposed to be about singing and not about how many ways Howard can insult people, and if he had a toxic, “It’s all about me” attitude and tried to muscle out the other judges, it’d be a nightmare. And if some woman walked in, like Bikini Girl, and flashed her assests? He would never let that go. In very graphic terms.
Then again…
I have made no secret of how much I hate the dumb games “Idol” plays with the fake auditions and the people dressed like chickens and Kara trying to make a splash by baiting the contestants, trying to compete with them, and having that poor kid unbutton his shirt. And you know who suffers fools even less gladly than I do – well, at least other than the fools that he employs to agree with him? Howard Stern. Can you imagine how cool it would be if he got into the show, if he really took it seriously, and some moron singing “I Touch Myself” wandered in and tried to waste everyone’s time? Howard would be like “OK, kid, you’re done.” It would be the tightest auditions EVER…if he took it seriously.
And that’s the big “if”. Howard Stern has become a very rich and famous man by being self-promotional. His whole image combines the potty mouth and boob fascination of a dirty 13-year-old boy with an ability to get under people’s skin and flashes of real insight. And then he brings the boobs back. This is why people listen to his show, because they enjoy that universe that he has created. That army of fans could be a ratings tsunami for “Idol” – look at what they did when Howard suggested, at various times, that they follow the advice of that “Vote For The Worst” Web site and keep the bad singers around. And according to this “source,” the producers are excited because he’s going to be “nastier” than Simon.
That worries me, because if they think that it’s just about being nasty, they’re missing the point. Simon does go overboard sometimes, but there’s usually a reason he’s telling someone that they suck. Because they do. He doesn’t need to be as awful as he is sometimes, but he usually has a reason. Howard might just yell at people and try to break them because he feels like it, and because that’s his shtick. And then, the show is no longer “American Idol” but rather “Howard Stern Yells At Some Kids Trying To Sing Whitney Houston Songs Because He Thinks His Fans Think It’s Funny.” And while his fans might like it, I can’t see “Idol”‘s core audience sticking around for it.
But if Howard decided to really do it, to really adjust his Howardness to be honest and brutal and, maybe, a little awesome, I might like it.
Then again…what happened to that Tommy Motolla idea?
will not watch the show any more
that man is disgusting and I would never watch Idol again. Period.
If they put him on Idol…I WILL stop watching it.
You WUSSIES!! Stern is EXACTLY what IDOL needs!! I would LOVE to see him rip apart all those crazy, no talent contestants. It would be AWESOME!!
Now that would be awesome…People really need to relax!!
Hurray! This may be what finally gets Idol off the air for good!
pennyaline, is someone forcing you to watch it?
Please NO HOWARD STERN – I will not watch it! It’s bad enough that Simon is leaving.
I’m pretty sure Howard Stern would never sign as a permanant repalcement on American Idol. I could, however, see him as a guest judge during the early auditions… but even that is a stretch.
Ha, yeah right. If he signed with Idol, I’d stop listening to his radio show.
I agree with Penny. American Idol just needs to go away.
You may get some Stern fans, but you’ll loose a lot more with the people who can’t stand Howard. From a long-term marketing perspective, he’s a bad choice.
America has become soft and too politically correct. How anyone can say they LIKE Simon but think Howard is despicable is beyond me. Oh that’s right … we’re in South Florida where everyone is over sensitive … Get a grip people, have an open mind and have some fun.
You’re being over sensitive yourself, if you can’t tolerate different opinions. Lighten up!
Howard is the king of all media. I never watched American Idol but are you kidding I will record it this is historic. More people listen to Howard Stern than people who watch American Idol. If Howard goes on all his listeners will watch thats a lot more than now.
What a horrid idea, Howard Stern is a disgusting man with no morals, integrity or class.
American Idol is watched by families with children.
If they put that man on this show, that will be curtains for American Idol.
I seriously doubt more people listen to Stern than those who watch Idol!
And what exactly is his experience in the music industry??
Howard has wanted to host a game show for a long time. His contract with Sirius is ending in 2011 and I know he is looking for a new gig. This might be perfect for him. He talks about American Idol on his show all the time because he is a fan of it. And he has been in radio for over 30 years, of course he has a music background. I think he will be good, but it will change the audience demographic significantly.
Stern will have an audience as long as there are 18 year old kids.
Once you hit 19 or 20, the sub Beavis and Buttheadian tee-hee’ing gets old.
Thats all he’s ever done and knows how to do. Much better at gratuitously over-the-top self promotion, most stadiums cant hold this naked emperors ego.
I cant imagine any universe in which Howard Stern would be brought in to be a judge of talent. He thinks Rob Zombie and Twisted Sister are good….What more evidence would one need ? There is so much trash TV from all those grizzly CSI, SVU, Miami CsI etc, etc, to The Kardashians and Jersey Shore…… Programming today makes Girls Gone wild infomercials look like a Cecil B. DeMille project.
I hope Idol stays the way it is. A harmless family type show.
Where is Chuck Barris and Jaye P. Morgan when you need them ?
Simon is the glue that holds that show together – without him, it would never last another year. He’s the entertainment and leader of the show, really.
This will be the best thing to happen TV in a long time, right up there with 24, 2-1/2 men, burn notice and How-wierd on Idol-LOL.
Looking forward to the laughs! I would love to afford to be a sponser-My sales will go through the roof!
If Stern moves to Idol, they will get the biggest ratings ever.
I use to listen to Howard Stern before he moved to Sirius and liked his show, although alot of it was a bit immature.
I think if he was brought on as a judge, the show would attract a whole new genere of people. The demographics would likely consist of folks who appreciate the talent, and all that goes with guys like Adam Lambert.
Stern is NOT going to host Idol. Period.
Blah blah blah blah.
But if he did, blah blah blah blah.
If Howard did replace Simon, American Idol would turn into Next American Porn Idol! Contestants would model bikinis and lingerie and mimick sexual acts.the best get a ticket to Hollywood to star in a porn movie!
Then the show would go to cable anyway!
Howard Stern ratings range about 300,000 people a month while American Idol is about 30 million each show.
Bob – Sirius has over 30 million subscribers and a large portion of them are on there solely for Stern.
Anyway, I cannot see Stern doing this simply because he would be back to dealing with the FCC again and that is the exact opposite of what he wants.
For all the Stern bashers on here saying how he has no integrity or morals, I guarantee none of them have ever listened to him except for a couple of sound bites that have made headlines over the years.
THE ONE THING ABOUT HOWARD STERN IS HE KNOWS HOW TO PUT ON A SHOW, IS IT IDOL MATERIAL PROBABLY NOT, HOWEVER HE WILL BE DEAD HONEST WITH THE GUEST LIKE HE IS HONEST ABOUT THE GIRLS COMING IN WITH NO BOOBS LOL, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIM DO ATLEAST A GUEST SPOT THAT WOOD BE AWESOME
HOWARD STERN IS KING OF ALL MEDIA REMEMBER THAT
WE LOVE YOU HOWARD!
Paul – Sirius touts millions of subscribers to imply the number of of Howard Stern listeners. It’s only the potential number who could be listening to Howard. When you research his demographics and ratings, it is far off that number.
Stern is just plain gross and would bring the show to a different kind of low level. Sorry, if he is on, I will be off!!!!!!!!!!
Howard Stern! I am open to all humor, but consider him am ass! I hope Ellen D, scheduled to be a judge, also, punches him. Ellen is a lady with class!
Stern on idol.
if the public wanted the truth they would like stern.
most negitive posts here about Stern are third party opinions.
many people dont get the stern show and how he has made millions
by creating an act on the airwaves.
search out the truth to what kind of personal life he has.
what is Ellens background in music?
when Simon leaves the show is over.
Ellen was a good choice replacement for Paula, but Howard is a terrible choice. What in the world makes him qualified to judge on a show like this? Not to mention, he’s not all great to look at either!!