SUMMER SLUMP? Will Smith’s ‘MIB3′ Slows … 
Cannes Finale: The Jury Talks And Hammond’s Analysis … 
Nicole Kidman Speaks Out On Taking Risks, Roles And Taking … 
Oscilloscope Takes U.S. Rights To ‘Reality’ 
‘Mud’: Did Cannes Save One Of The Best For … 
Cannes Podcast: Pete Hammond On ‘Lawless’, … 
Over-Achievers Of This Year’s Upfront 
Aussie Pay-TV Shakeup Impacts Hollywood 
USA: ‘Rebounding’ & ‘Modern … 
Interview: Philip Kaufman At Cannes With ‘Hemingway … 
R.I.P. Television Mogul Lee Rich 
Cannes Biz Shines Despite Wind & Rain 
Full 2011-2012 TV Season Series Rankings 
2011-12 Season Network Rankings: Fox Still On Top But Down, … 
HLN Set To Air Daytime Emmy Awards 
Grant Bowler Cast As Richard Burton Opposite Lindsay Lohan … 
UPDATE: Dish Network And Broadcasters Ask Courts To Decide … 
Cannes Surprise Screening: Change Of Plans On Juan Antonio … 
Kevin Hart In Talks To Join Kevin James In ‘Valet … 
Anthony Hopkins Up For ‘Red 2′ Villain; Can … 
Cannes Conflicted Over ‘The Paperboy’ As … 
UPDATES TV TUG OF WAR: It’s Ellen vs Simon
Whether Howard Stern will or won’t join American Idol as the judge replacing Simon Cowell, is one of the hot debates on the Internet right now. And, of course, Howard is fanning the flames of the controversy by insulting everyone connected to the “karaoke show”, especially Simon, Ellen, and Ryan Seacrest. I’ve just learned Howard Stern is indeed “being considered” as a judge but my sources tell me that ”Ellen is not in favor” of his joining the panel.
Ellen DeGeneres tonight makes her American Idol show debut. And when you watch, remember that I recently reported that, on her first day taping the Hollywood segment, Simon Cowell showed up an hour and a half late for the taping. And Ellen stewed while she waited for him. She had reason: to accommodate both her talk show hosting duties and her American Idol judging duties, she had moved up her schedule so that now she shot the talk show earlier in the day and then jumped in the car to go to Idol. She was on time, and Cowell was not. “Here it was the first day of taping of the Hollywood shows, and Ellen was there waiting for Simon to show up. Ellen’s new to the gig and she’s very organized and she made a commitment to take this on, and now she’s asking herself, ‘What did I get myself into?’ She called Simon Cowell a prima donna. So right from the start, the chemistry isn’t great,” an insider tells us.
It’ll be interesting to see tonight whether the tension between Ellen and Simon is visible. (Or even edited out…) But as I reported previously, Ellen after the taping contacted the pal who brought her to the primetime hit show, Fox alternative programming chief Mike Darnell, and made a request: she asked him to “hurry up and pick” Simon’s successor. Now she doesn’t want Howard Stern as a judge.
Meanwhile, here’s an exclusive interview Ellen DeGeneres did with Extra‘s Mario Lopez where she dished about the judges’ chemistry:
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
Loading ...
Hmmmmm….
I just can’t shake the feeling that Howard Stern took one of many internet BS rumors, and decide to run with it for cheap publicity, and is laughing his ass off over it.
Anyway, I think the simple fact that Simon is leaving is a pretty good sign that the American Idol ship has sailed.
Hilarious.
Stern would be great but push come to shove, I don’t think he would actually do Idol.
But this is exactly what he wants. He HATES Ellen and she’s playing right into his hands by insisting he doesn’t get the judge.
And let’s be honest here — love or hate Stern, he would be a much bigger draw than Ellen. What does she bring to the table? Anyone can be nice and crack bad jokes. She’ll be a bore.
Ellen and Stern on the same stage? I would watch that without music. But she doesn’t want to work with a guy who’s been slamming her every move mercilously for over a decade? I’m shocked.
I am not a fan of AI BUT just the thought of someone believing putting that schmuck on camera would be a great idea for the demo has got to have a screw loose.
you definitely have never listened to an entire 4+hour howard stern show
otherwise your schmuck comment would have never been made
you SCHMUCK!
hahahahahaha!
I know I shouldn’t even waste my time but what exactly would the leering Stern bring to AI to counter the loss of it’s massive young demo? Last time I checked it is a family friendly show not a “show me your ass and tits circus”.
The ratings would drop with a thud if they got Stern.
really?…have you ever listened to Howard?
I,loyal fan, would not watch if Stern is hired!!
You all who say stern isnt good for AI are a buncha retarded moronic retards..let me ask you point blank who in this whole country is as straightfoward, controversial, & has a sense of humor that can match SIMON?? You do realize that if simon leaves, and if AI doesnt find a replacement that can at least match Simon’s wit and callous remarks, the show is gonna tank. The show is gonna b boring , its gonna have a buncha these weak ass spineless judges like ellen who tells everyone that theyre good singers, wen YOU people all laugh, all enjoy the ribbing that awful singers get from SIMON. So who else in this country besides HOWARD can do that? I cant think of a single person besides HOWARD that can bring that kind of callousness, wit, and honesty that SIMON brought, and w/o that the show is gonna FAIL.
Loosen up Ellen…Ellen, the most nonsexual lesbian in media, needs to get loose, with the aid of expert goofball, always pro-gay Howard Stern.
I have so much contempt for American Idol, but the addition of Howard Stern would make me watch.
What does Stern know about singing/music that qualifies him as a judge? Course, what does Ellen know about singing/music that qualifies him…I mean…her as a judge?
The show is on its last legs now and barring something extreme, has a season or two left I’d guess. NOT a Howard fan but if I’m Fox I’d gamble on Howard. Howard’s extreme. Ellen’s extreme-ly dull (for this position).
I think Howard’s way more qualified than Ellen- because at least he used to sing and play keyboards in a garage band when he was growing up.
I think Ellen’s own experience is that maybe she sings in the shower.
~
Coat
“I think Howard’s way more qualified than Ellen- because at least he used to sing and play keyboards in a garage band when he was growing up.”
didn’t we all?
Howard Stern has been a DJ for 3 decades…
Indrid,
No matter what you may think of Howard’s comedy, he has a proven track record of knowing great music when he hears it and supporting up and coming acts. His interest in sound started when he was a child (his father was the co-owner of a voice recording studio), and by sixth grade, he had his own band: The Electric Comic Book! At that time, he also wrote at least 2 of the band’s songs — one of which, PSYCHEDELIC BEE, was covered by SUGAR RAY in 2005.
To this day, one of my favorite “live” recordings is Dave Grohl on Howard Stern’s show back in the early 1990′s. It was the first time Dave had ever tried playing an acoustic version of EVERLONG, and like Howard, I had a visceral reaction to the recording. It was amazing, and Howard knew it! [You can check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEWjOJTVGvQ
Correction/Addition: It was in the late (rather than early) 1990′s that Dave played the song EVERLONG on Howard’s show, and it was Howard’s executive producer, Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate, who suggested that Dave play it–despite the fact that Dave was just set up to play acoustic on the show, and EVERLONG had always been played loud and electric. Enjoy!
Your “him…I mean…her” comment categorizes you as an a**hole. Can’t you express an opinion about the show, and the hosts, without insulting and demeaning an entire segment of society? Or even if it’s just her you object to, trash her jokes, not her place on the sexual spectrum. Grow up.
Your homophobia is showing.
people joke about ryan seacrest all the time, but when it’s ellen, well… sacred cow?
True Dave but with one HUGE difference: Ryan is (for now) straight and Ellen is gay. A joke, funny or not, about a straight person is consider comedy (or an attempt at it). A joke, funny or not, about a gay person is a “demeaning of an entire society” made by an “a**hole” whose “homophobia is showing”.
Now, I know this sounds a little far-fetched but these quotes were taken from the two geniuses above whose panties (or briefs) are clearly in a twist.
Truly pathetic how sensitive people have come to any little thing. I thought we were getting past our PC BS? I happen to WATCH “Ellen” periodically you dunces! Chick’s funny (sometimes) but she’s also a DUDE and “sexuality” has NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!
If Howard Stern becomes a judge on American Idol, I will stop watching American Idol completely and I tell my friends to stop watching American Idol and why.
Thanks for the opportunity to exercise my rights.
she.is.cool/ellen.I.watch.her.show.is.too.hot.
“The show is on its last legs now and barring something extreme, has a season or two left I’d guess.”
…. Seriously?! Indrid—Is this you or the other 25 million Americans who watch it on Tuesday or Wednesday nights? You may hate this shit, but my guts tells me they’ve got plenty more leg left in them for future seasons, regardless of a judge swap.
It’s just another publicity stunt Howard Stern and agent Don Buchwald obviously launched–remembering when Howard did the half-hearted Libertarian run for NY governor in the 90s.
Can’t stand neither Ellen or Stern and Kara is the worst of them all and I simply feel this show is on its last legs and it’s time to pull the plug on this crapfest and clean house and start with a better and fresher concept and judges who aren’t so full of themselves.
AI NEEDS Howard Stern!!! The show has already gotten SO bad, and now with Simon gone next season you can guarantee it’ll be done for good unless they do something like hire Stern.
I’m a 21 year old guy, and I think American Idol is lame as hell. I watched the first season because I thought Kelly Clarkson was hot, and because Simon was an asshole.
But you know what? If they got Howard, I would totally start watching again. And I bet a lot more of his target audience would start watching too. Howard is way more bad-ass then Cowell. He’s meaner, more entertaining, and he’d attract a new demographic to the show, which could mean higher ratings.
Howard said he’d do it for 100M. He knows he’s worth it because AI sucks, and he’s the biggest bully on the play ground. Plus he has plenty of judging experience from all the hot aspiring play boy models he’s critiqued.
Ellen Ellen Ellen,
Amazing that after 15+ years that I worked on These Friends of Mine with you, that you still are an ungrateful, miserable wench of a person. Amazing. The way you treated people back then, including your faithful manager, Arthur Imparato, was appalling; I’m glad to see you are still the angry Ellen that you were back then. Remember when you got Maggie Wheeler ( Janice, on Friends) fired because you thought she was stealing your thunder? What a mess.
Fame changes people, for you, I guess it made you worse.
Enjoy your riches.
So sad.
Ellen is fanning Howard’s flames by letting it be known she has no sense of humor. I think Howard Stern would be awesome, and I know HE, unlike Simon, would be on time. He is a respectful guy, those who are fans know this. I would miss him on Sirius, but it would make me watch Idol…
The fact that Ellen doesn’t want Stern to join the panel makes me want Howard MORE. I say, GO FOR IT HOWARD!! Kick Ellen’s fucking ass!
Stern has a lot of musical experience. He started as a DJ and was a program director for several radio stations. He picked the music the stations would play.
In Detroit he had an American Idol radio show where three record company executives were brought in and judged various singers.
And lastly he has a strong opinion.
What qualifications did Randy Jackson have to be on AI? He was 2nd bass player for Journey – not even the lead…
Howard Stern ain’t gonna do nothing but shoot of his big ass mouth, play with his brainless trophy wife and pretend like he’s not an old fossil who’s time has passed.
Howard would bring nothing to the table for this show. They just want someone who would bring headlines. At least Simon was constructive with his criticism (that is, once you got to the top 13).
Not a fan of the show, but I am a fan of a little controversy, so why not add Howard Stern to the mix? Hell, I’d probably tune in just to see him push everyone’s buttons! It just may be the best possible idea for all the others who don’t watch.
This would certainly gain more viewers.. I would even stay up to watch..so would my wife.
Personally, the idea of Howard Stern on AI is the only reason I’d ever go back to watching that show.
Anyone think this is an expensive way for Murdoch to get Howard Stern out of his hair?
FOX pays Stern $$$, agree to as many of his demands as they can, then pull the plug on IDOL after two more seasons and go with X FACTOR in the spring.
A vocal opponent is gone who criticized their programming and personalities, not to mention their newspapers.
In some sense, I can see Murdoch and company spending $100M over two years to marginalize Stern.
you dont need to know about music to be a judge these days. You just gotta have a personality, and Howard stern has alot of that. and who cares what Ellen is ‘in favor’ or ‘not in favor’ of. she hasnt even appeared in one single episode yet. who knows, she may suck hard.
Howard is a DJ, and he served as a music program director for years. He’s definitely more qualified than Ellen, and let’s be honest, Paula Abdul had a music background, but she’s crazy and really came off like she knew nothing most of the time. I think Stern would definitely add fuel to the dying idol if he is chosen.
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize the show was now “American Idol, starring Ellen Degeneres.” At what point did Ellen become the star of the show with the right to dictate who they can and cannot hire? If she doesn’t like the changes the producers are going to make, then she does not have to return. I don’t like the idea of Howard Stern either, but this isn’t HER show (where she is an absolute pain to work for) and taking this approach will not win her any fans behind the scenes or otherwise.
Howard is allowing his name to be floated here to use as negotiating leverage for his Sirius Radio contract which is currently up for renewal. Howard hates flying. He would never work on a show in LA.
I would watch American Idol, if Howard Stern were a judge.
Howard has been in the radio industry since the 70′s i believe. He was a DJ way before he became the king of radio. I think he would be a great addition to the show and AI needs someone like him with simon leaving.
Ellen on the other hand needs to quit right now because she knows NOTHING about singing/dancing. Unless you consider the dancing on her show something. Which i sure as heck don’t.