Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell
According to several sources throughout Hollywood we have unconfirmed reports that Howard Stern will be replacing Simon Cowell on American Idol.
“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.
Howard Allan Stern (born January 12, 1954) is an American radio and media personality most notable for his radio show which since January 9, 2006, has been broadcasting on Sirius XM, an uncensored satellite radio service. Although described by the media as a “shock jock” for his sometimes controversial commentary and segments, Stern argues it never was his intention to “shock” people, whether discussing world affairs or the staff he works with. Stern is the highest-paid radio personality in the United States, and also the most fined, following a long history with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since 1987.
Stern began his career in the radio industry in February 1975 at his campus station at Boston University, presenting a one-hour comedy program called “The King Schmaltz Bagel Hour” with college friends. Developing his on-air style for four years at Briarcliff Manor, Hartford and Detroit from 1977–1980, Stern paired up with his on-air news anchor Robin Quivers at Washington, D.C. in 1981. By August 1982, he arrived at New York City, the country’s largest radio market. Despite numerous disputes with management, Stern would have the top afternoon show by mid-1985. After being fired that September, he returned to New York airwaves on WXRK after a two-month absence, broadcasting for over twenty years until leaving for satellite radio, where he would be free from content restrictions imposed by the FCC, in December 2005.
Despite being little known outside the United States Stern describes himself as “The King of All Media” for his successes not only in radio but in print, film and television. His two books, Private Parts (1993) and Miss America (1995), received great media attention and sales, topping The New York Times Best Seller list within weeks of their release. The former was later adapted into a 1997 film of the same name directed by Betty Thomas, which grossed over $40 million in the United States alone. Stern’s television endeavors include various late night shows and successful pay-per-view specials.
Simon Phillip Cowell (born 7 October 1959) is an English music executive, television producer and entrepreneur. He is known in the United Kingdom and in the United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, and American Idol. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco.
Cowell is notorious as a judge for his blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults and wisecracks about contestants and their abilities. He is often parodied in pop culture, and was described by the The Times as representing the “heartless, thoughtless and superficial – the flotsam and jetsam of the polluted seas of celebrity that is likely to sink without trace into toxic foam”. Cowell is known for combining activities in the television and music industries, having promoted singles and records for various artists, including television personalities. He was most recently featured on the sixth series of The X Factor, the third series of Britain’s Got Talent, and can currently be seen on the ninth season of American Idol.
American Idol
American Idol is a reality television competition which finds new solo musical talent. It was created by Simon Fuller and debuted June 11, 2002, as American Idol: The Search for a Superstar on the Fox network. It has since become one of the most popular shows in the history of American television. It is currently the #1 TV show in the Nielsen ratings and is one of only three that have been #1 for five consecutive seasons, along with All in the Family and The Cosby Show.
Part of the Idol franchise, it is a spin-off from the British show Pop Idol, of which two series were broadcast between 2001 and 2003 in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The program aims to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nation-wide auditions which culminates in viewer voting to determine the winner. Through telephone and SMS Text voting, America has chosen past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, and Kris Allen (listed in chronological order). Every American Idol winner except for Jordin Sparks (from Arizona) has been from the American South. The eligible age-range for contestants is currently 16–28 years old. The upper age limit was 24 in the first three seasons.
The series employs a panel of judges who critique the contestants’ performances: Grammy award-winning record producer and music manager Randy Jackson and award-winning music executive and music manager Simon Cowell have been judges for the entire series. Grammy award-winning pop singer and Emmy award-winning choreographer Paula Abdul was a judge for the show’s first eight seasons. The format originally featured three judges, with Latin Grammy Award-nominated singer–songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi added as a fourth judge for the eighth season. On September 9, 2009, Ellen DeGeneres was confirmed to be Abdul’s replacement for the ninth season. The show has been renewed for three more seasons. On January 11, 2010 Simon Cowell announced that he was leaving the show to pursue introducing his show The X Factor to the USA for 2011.
Ryan Seacrest has hosted the show for its entire run. During the first season, he was joined by comedian Brian Dunkleman. The American Idol band is currently led by Rickey Minor. Dorian Holley of Los Angeles Music Academy is Music Director and vocal coach ; he has been with the show since 2006.
The show usually airs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the United States and Canada, Wednesday and Thursday nights in Australia and Asia, Wednesday and Thursday nights on ITV2 in the United Kingdom, Friday nights in Ireland, Friday and Saturday nights in Israel, and Saturday and Sunday nights in Latin America.
Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, “best-of” list, saying, “It’s given us Kelly, Carrie, Daughtry, and J. Hud. Idol rules the reality roost because the winners of Fox’s ratings juggernaut actually do go on to greatness. And Taylor Hicks? He’s the exception that proves the rule.”
American Idol
