Ever since Simon announced over a month ago that he will be leaving American Idol to concentrate on bringing over X-Factor to the US, FOX has been desperately trying to find a controversial replacement to kee the dead horse that is AI going. While the rumors regarding Tommy Mottola, Elton John and even Christopher Ciccone are still floating around, now word is that Howard Stern may be next to fill Simon's shoes. Here is what Page Six is reporting:
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...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.
I'm going to peg this as a rumor. I'm not going to believe anything until a replacement is confirmed. I am a big fan of Howard, and I think he would make a great TV personality or a judge on a competition show, but in my deepest of black hearts I truly feel American Idol has lost that thing that made it watcheable in the first place. it may be time to say good-bye to the once flourishing series.
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