Howard Stern Will Replace Simon Cowell on American Idol?

It seems that Howard Stern may be going to take Simon Cowell's place on American Idol next year. The New York Post claims that American Idol and Howard Stern are deep into negotiations and that an announcement may be near.

Many fans are not pleased.

Simon Cowell is known as a judge who speaks his mind and pulls no punches. That's very different from Howard Stern who is known as the host of a talk show that features inappropriate, sexist conversation that often revolve around degrading women. Howard Stern's Sirius Radio contract will end next year.

Hm...

American Idol is reportedly interested in Howard Stern because they want to boost ratings with someone who has the potential to be really nasty. Those in charge at American Idol really seem to believe that people are not tuning in to hear the singing but rather to see contestants abused by rude judges and to see the judges fight with each other.

Simon Cowell may be considered a tough judge, but he has a couple of things going for him that Howard Stern certainly does not. For one thing, Simon Cowell is basically likable. He might be a jerk sometimes, but he has a human side too. It's hard to find the same in Howard Stern.

The other important aspect of Simon Cowell that is lacking in Howard Stern is that Simon Cowell is knowledgeable about music. Howard Stern is a radio talk show host. He is not a music expert, so he is no more qualified to judge musical talent than Ellen DeGeneres for example.

With Howard Stern on board the judge with the most experience in music is Randy "Dawg" Jackson.

If Howard Stern replaces Simon Cowell on American Idol then the show loses any credibility it still has. It becomes just another show that runs on shock value and oh-no-he-didn't moments.

Simon Cowell has announced plans to leave the successful American Idol next year in order to introduce a new show called "The X Factor".

A few people familiar with the negotiations are saying that Howard Stern is only using this to get Sirius to offer him a better contract. For the sake of American Idol viewers everywhere, let's hope this is true.