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"Twitchell" wrote in message
news:hkhfjq02n2a@drn.newsguy.com...
> http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/idol_producers_want_howard_stern_YUKlMlwQkfqa7EgK1nvRaN
>
> "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.
>
Well, that is one dumb-assed idea.
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