Could it really be that the producers of American Idol want Howard Stern to replace outgoing judge Simon Cowell?
According to the New York Post, it seems that may be the case.
Cowell, who recently announced plans to leave American Idol at the end of this season so he can concentrate on the U.S. version of his British talent show The X Factor, is producing and intends to star in the new program, while an Idol insider tipped the the Post that Stern is the first choice to replace outspoken and sometimes brutally honest Cowell.
"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."
The insider said the show approached Stern after he mentioned on-air that his contract with Sirius XM Radio expires in January and that he was soliciting other offers, however, a source revealed that Stern doesn't really want to leave radio and may be using his talks with Idol producers to secure a better deal with Sirius.