The Biz: Is Network TV Ready for Howard Stern on America's Got Talent?

Howard Stern Howard Stern calls themself the King of Media, but he's never really mastered TV. He'll have that chance later this season, as he joins what's been probably the most viewed summer time show, NBC's America's Got Talent, like a judge. It isn't a move without risks for NBC. America's Got Talent didn't need fixing. However when Piers Morgan made a decision to leave the judges' panel, executive producer Simon Cowell made the decision the show needed some trembling up and thinks adding Stern can perform it. The move has made head lines, as Stern's edgy, boundary-pushing humor (and skill at self-promotion) makes him a effective use radio for 3 decades. Before he headed to satellite radio, Stern would be a magnet for FCC scrutiny, which hampered the prosperity of his TV projects. Within the late the nineteen nineties, he obtained rankings together with his syndicated Television show for CBS however, top-having to pay marketers, sensitive over protests and boycotts, remained away. "It had been challenging to obtain premium clients in," states an professional associated with the show. NBC is not concerned about mainstream acceptance of Stern this time around around. Entertainment professionals in the network believe he is able to be funny inside the parameters of broadcast TV and will not change AGT's family-friendly character. "It is a brand which has always meant PG viewing, and you will find no intends to change that," states one NBC insider. As the typically conservative Parents Television Council has registered its objection, Madison Avenue is less responsive to raunchy content. For instance, CBS doesn't have problem selling out its Monday-evening comedy selection, a 2-hour festival of sex jokes. Kaira Adgate of ad-purchasing firm Horizon Media states AGT sponsors nervous about Stern is going to be changed by brand new ones who'll provide the show another look: "Any slack could be acquired by Howard Stern enthusiasts - mostly more youthful males - who might not watch lots of broadcast television." Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!