American Idol producers want Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell

NEW YORK - American Idol producers are planning to rope in “shock-jock” Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell when the latter leaves the talent hunt at the end of this season, it has emerged.

According to a source, producers of show feel Stern, America’s highest-paid radio personality, would be best on the show after the tough talking Cowell.

They are believed to have approached Stern after he repeatedly mentioned on-air that his exclusive Sirius XM Radio deal ends next January and he would be willing to consider other offers.

“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,” the New York Post quoted an insider, as saying.

The source added: “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.”

However, another source said Stern is not confirmed anything yet.

The snitch said: “Despite what he’s been saying on-air, Howard isn’t ready to leave radio and would like to stay on at Sirius…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 said to be unenthusiastic about committing to a show that would need him to tour the US as a judge and spend much of the year in Los Angeles.

He recently said: “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.” (ANI)