Los Angeles, Feb 8 (Inditop.com) Who will replace the sarcastic Brit Simon Cowell as a judge on “American Idol” from next year? There are rumours that the high-profile slot may go to Howard Stern – America’s highest paid radio jockey.
Fifty-six-year-old Stern, called America’s “shock jock”, currently hosts the “uncensored’ Sirius XM Radio show.
Cowell, who became famous or notorious for his nasty put-downs on the show and was paid $50 million a year, is moving to start the US version of The X Factor – the hit British talent show – next year.
Rated seventh on Forbes’ “World’s Most Powerful Celebrity” list, Stern is on a $100-million-a-year contract with the radio station.
His contract expires in January next year – well before the “American Idol” season.
The “shock jock”, who is also author of two bestsellers titled “Private Parts” and “Miss America” – says he has already been approached to host a TV show from next year.
But he is reportedly unwilling to travel across the US – as the job at the “American Idol” entails.
Were the country’s most celebrated radio jockey were to come on board the most celebrated show, he would make a deadly team with the lesbian co-host Ellen DeGeneres who replaced Paula Abdul this year, sources in the US entertainment industry say.
But in a survey by TVGuide.com, 37 percent people wanted “X Factor” and “America’s Got Talent” judge Piers Morgan to replace Simon Cowell.
Another 15 percent favoured “Sing-Off” judge Ben Folds to replace Cowell.