'Red Widow' Gets The Axe
'Grey's' Isn't Going Anywhere
If 'Idol' Producers Get Their Way, Howard Stern Could Replace Cowell
by Allison Waldman, posted Feb 5th 2010 11:02AM
The question of who will replace Simon Cowell as an 'American Idol' judge began in earnest today with Page Six claiming that Howard Stern is the 'Idol' producers' top choice to take Simon Cowell's throne. Stunt casting? Attention-grabbing? Total bull? You can take your pick because this smacks of a PR turn if ever there was one.For a moment, though, let's consider the possibility. Howard's contract with Sirius XM Radio wraps next January. That contract was in the $100 million neighborhood. Could 'American Idol' fork over a pay-out equal to that? Umm, yes. They make enough. Will they? Hard to imagine. The figure mentioned in the report was $50 million a year, which is what Simon will earn this season, but that's based on the fact that Simon has a track record with 'Idol.'
Howard has a track record and scads of fans, but ask yourself this: Is the audience that watches 'American Idol' the same audience that follows Howard Stern? Some, perhaps, but as many as watch Ellen DeGeneres? No, don't think so.
The whole conceit of Howard on 'Idol' is based on the theory that he would be even nastier than Simon. No holds-barred, he would blast the freaks and the deluded auditioning suckers, then put the screws to the passel that makes it to Hollywood. Stern would also be a draw because he does have a name and a fan base. There's also thought that he would joust with Ellen, sort of a clash of the titans. Nice comic vs. mean comic.
Nowhere, however, is there any thought given to Howard's qualifications to judge singers. Even Ellen knows more about music than Howard, and some have given her a thumbs down before she's even aired because of her lack of music creds.
It's fair to assume that this entire story is a ploy by Stern's camp to get Sirius to renegotiate a new deal. Although, Howard did recently say on the air, "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."
Here's a thought: if 'American Idol' feel the need to bring a mean judge on the show to fill Simon's seat, how about "Mr. Warmth," Don Rickles? He could call everyone who sings a hockey puck and do spit takes when a singer is completely awful. That would be a get product placement for a bottled water company? Maybe Kathy Griffin would do it... she can be mean and cutting. If musical knowledge really doesn't matter, they could simply just choose an insult comic -- Triumph the dog? -- and let it go at that.
By the way, do you really think Howard would want to do the traveling and work that hard on a TV show? He's used to living in New York, enjoying a certain lifestyle, and calling the shots. Working for Fox might be a living hell for him.
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