An insider said that producers of the hit Fox show American Idol say Howard Stern, America's highest-paid radio personality, is their top choice to take over from Cowell, who leaves at the end of this season. They approached the King of All Media after he repeatedly mentioned on-air that his exclusive Sirius XM Radio deal expires next January and he was open to other offers. Cowell was paid $50 million a year. A source connected to "Idol" said, "It's one of the few shows that could compete with Stern's $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and 'Idol' bosses think he'd be even nastier than Simon.
"They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneresand the contestants. 'Idol' will do what it takes to sign him."
i would like to see conan 0 brien take the job...then get replaced 7 months by simon cowell.
