Talent Must Be In Short Supply
link American Idol producers want Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell as judge – NYPOST.com.
It’ll never happen. Unless of course, Fox wishes to completely torpedo the succesful franchise. American Idol was originally created as a program showcasing the emotional journey and talent of aspiring singers. From very early on in the series, the drama surrounding the judges commanded as much buzz as the weekly display of talent itself. Simon Cowell legitimately became the anchor for the show with his acerbic but honest critiques. Randy and Paula played supporting roles but nonetheless, the show is now missing something with the departure of Ms. Abdul, despite her questionable judging abilities. It became popular sport to watch her every week just to see what kind of train wreck she would display in her rambling commentaries.
The departure of Simon will be fatal to the show and especially if Mr. Stern is brought on board to replace Simon. Firstly, Stern is a boor. Secondly and most damning, he is not entertaining. His brand of entertainment is so crass and without any redemptive value that the show’s ratings would crater like an NBC drama series. Besides, it’s supposed to be a talent contest. The only thing Howard knows is the general difference between C, D and double D. Idol has always been mainstream. Howard Stern is the antithesis of mainstream. No doubt he must have a fan and audience base since Sirius radio was dumb enough to pay him $100 million a year as the anchor for their business model. A model which has bled money from day one and is barely viable now.
Hard to deny that crassness and sophomoric “humor” sells though. A number of entertainers have as their trademark shtick, the obnoxious, juvenile, over the top goofiness that is reminiscent of a spoiled teenager. If in fact, they were teenagers, you could at least remark condescendingly, ” how sweet”. The fact that many of these entertainers are well into middle age and still try to pass off rudeness as precociousness is tiring at best, pathetic at worst. Guys like Letterman, Stern and some others are reaching way past their demograhic when trying to be edgy for the 20 to 30 set. Conan may be able to throw out the sexual double entendres, but when the Sterns and Lettermans do it, it’s just creepy and lecherous.
If someone’s willing to pay Howard Stern $100 million bucks because he’s “entertaining”, that tells you that there’s a bear market in talent. Couldn’t they just outsource a younger obnoxious host from say, India? Or China? The networks would save a lot of money and the funny accents alone would be an audience draw. They can bring Stern’s crassness to the judging as in:
“Begging your pardon, but you have no talent, please to show us your bosoms.”
It’s safe to say that in the entertainment racket, audience is everything and with the imminent departure of Simon Cowell, Fox is looking to get someone with some sizzle to maintain ratings. Howard doesn’t seem to be the right guy to nail the 13 to 25 female demographic…in a manner of speaking. Besides, it looks like some publicity ploy to get more money from Sirius. If Stern is considered, why not Bill Clinton, or Hugh Hefner? They would bring as much buzz to the show and both have better haircuts. On second thought, none of the above are suitable. No males would ever win.