Though his judging experience is limited to decades of radio
commentary on breast size and shape, Howard Stern is promising substance
over shtick when he joins fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie
Mandel for Monday night’s season seven premiere of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Already, groups like the Parents Television Council have condemned Stern’s addition to the lineup.
“Hopefully America will like this and put everybody’s fears to rest,”
Stern told reporters at a press conference yesterday, entering
Manhattan’s Friars Club as “Hail to the Chief” played over a
loudspeaker. “I’m not a beginner. I’m an elder statesman now.”
The 58-year-old Stern explained that he didn’t take the job to
alienate the show’s audience of 15 million viewers. “I just love the
show,” he said, adding that he wants to mentor rather than pander to
America’s next big act.
