After years of rumors and speculation that "king of all media" Howard Stern might join a broadcast network reality show as a talent judge, it is now official that he will replace the departing Piers Morgan as a judge on America's Got Talent next season.
Last month I wrote:
Anyone who listens to The Howard Stern Show knows that Stern is a seasoned and often brilliant game show host (he often plays emcee to any number of raunchy and wacky games within his own radio show), pundit, and interviewer. He's at a stage in his career in which he has no reason to be anything other than honest and forthright in judging talent and would clearly bring a refreshing angle to the now somewhat crowded talent-based competition reality show space.
Further, Howard already has natural chemistry and history with both of his potential co-judges, as Sharon Osbourne is a longtime Stern show guest (Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's frequent appearances on The Howard Stern Show predated the family's rise to television stardom and was fundamental to launching MTV's The Osbournes) as is Howie Mandel, who took on David Hasselhoff's slot last year.
The announcement was made today both via Twitter and on The Howard Stern Show. "I take judging very seriously," Stern said. And by seriously, he means dead honest: "They gotta be prepared to hear the truth. Don't call me a scumbag because I'm gonna tell your kid he has no talent," he advises parents of future contestants. And finally: "I am going to be Piers on steroids… there's going to be no more nonsense."
It remains to be seen how the show's production schedule and filming location (America's Got Talent has been mainly filmed in Los Angeles, whereas the travel-phobic Stern is based out of New York City) will impact The Howard Stern Show.
Check out the announcement here:
I'm a lifelong Stern fan and have never watched more than a few minutes of America's Got Talent to date. I will certainly be tuning in next season, and will be curious to see how the ratings are impacted by this bold and laudable move by NBC… the very same company that fired Stern many years ago (later depicted in Stern's movie, Private Parts).
