Howard Stern has been tapped to replace Mr. Nasty, Simon Cowell on “American Idol”

It was said earlier this year that Simon would be exiting American Idol to focus on xfactor America

An “Idol” source 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.”

Howard may not like jumping around to listen to people audition for the singing competition, though. On his radio show, he said, “I was approached by a major TV network to take over a show and leave here and do that next year — and I did turn it down… I’m not even sure if I want to be working. I’m waiting to see what happens.”

The “Idol” source added, “They know he would be great TV and would clash with the other judges such as Ellen DeGeneres and the contestants. ‘Idol’ will do what it takes to sign him.”

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