Noting rumors that Howard Stern may succeed Simon Cowell as a judge on “American Idol,” the Parents Television Council (PTC) is demanding that Fox publicly address the rumors. Meanwhile, PTC is rallying members to tell Fox it should have nothing to do with the “King of All Media.”
“Given ‘American Idol’s’ extreme popularity with family audiences, I hope that Fox will put the rumors to rest and announce that it has no intention of adding to the show one of the most profane, sexually explicit and anti-family performers in the history of the broadcast medium — either as a guest or as a judge,” PTC President Tim Winter said in a statement.
“Unless Stern intends to undergo some sort of moth-to-butterfly metamorphosis – though in his case the change would be more like rattlesnake-to-Labrador Retriever – adding him to ‘American Idol’ would spell immediate death for one of the best franchises in American family entertainment,” Winter continued.
The PTC took note of the comments Stern recently made on his satellite radio show about the potential Idol gig, particularly his “rude remarks” about past winner Fantasia.
“Fox should move immediately to repudiate these rumors and instead commit publicly to keeping ‘American Idol’ safe for family viewing,” Winter insisted.
The PTC has placed an online petition on its website and is asking members to sign on to keep Stern off Idol.
The petition reads:
“To: Kevin Reilly, President of Fox Entertainment & Simon Fuller, Executive Producer of American Idol
WHEREAS American Idol has come to be trusted by America’s Families as reliable, family-friendly entertainment.
WHEREAS Howard Stern is one of the most profane, sexually-explicit and anti-family performers in the history of the broadcast medium; and in discussing the possibility of becoming a judge on American Idol on his radio program gave audiences a preview of what he would bring to the table as a judge, talking about getting “little boys hard.”
AND WHEREAS bringing Howard Stern on American Idol, either as guest or judge would immediately render the program unsuitable for family audiences.
BE IT KNOWN that if the reports about Mr. Stern prove to be true, we will no longer watch the program; we will share our concern with our friends, family and others in our social circle; and we will contact every sponsor and urge them to consider whether they should associate their corporate image with a man who talks about “getting little boys hard.” And if Stern says anything that we feel is in violation of broadcast decency laws, we will take immediate action by filing complaints with the Federal Communications Commission against our local Fox affiliate. We ask you to immediately repudiate these rumors and commit publicly to keeping American Idol safe for family viewing.”
