(Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)On Monday night, Howard Stern will make his debut on the judging panel of "America's Got Talent" — and the King of All Media is beyond ready to share his opinions. At a press conference for the NBC reality show held earlier today in New York, he got candid about the current reality TV judges that he loves — and hates. Look out, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears!
The King of All Media said his judging style will be very different from what is currently on TV. "We've got to be honest, we've got to be direct and we've got to help the talent," he said of fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel. "This is one of the problems [with the other shows]. You watch 'American Idol' and you could throw up. Listen, J.Lo. — I don't understand what she's doing there. Not every contestant can be wonderful. You have to be upfront with people. If I sit there in a beautiful dress and just tell them they're wonderful they're not going to get anywhere. I'm not doing it to be mean. I'm doing it to be helpful."
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Stern also addressed the news that Spears has inked a deal to be a judge on "X-Factor" in the fall. "I think it's a wonderful decision," the 58-year-old entertainer said sarcastically. "You know, Britney still thinks the earth is flat. I think we're going to tune in to see if she can sort of function through this. As far as any criticism I think Simon [Cowell] and L.A. Reid will be doing that."
So how does he envision Spears' judging style to be? "I think Britney is going to stand there and eat a lollipop and wear a sexy outfit," he said. "I don't anticipate any great opinions from her. I think she'll sit there like J.Lo and say: 'Oh, you're wonderful and terrific. Think I can get a perfume endorsement out of this? Think I can perform on the show?' I think that's what it's about it. I'll tune in to see what kind of trainwreck she is — absolutely."
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So whose judging skills does he like? Here's his short list: "There is always one judge [on a show] that you care what he has to say. I'm a fan of Simon Cowell's. I was a fan of Piers Morgan's when he was on 'America's Got Talent.' Len Goodman from 'Dancing with the Stars.' I like that guy L.A. Reid. Adam Levine is good on 'The Voice.' In my case, I'm that judge that you care about. It's amazing. My honesty is infectious."
Stern adds that if judges don't actually judge and offer candid opinions like he's promising to do, "this type of television risks going the way of the disco ball. If the judges don't step up and offer real criticism, then these types of shows will get too dull. I’m hopefully going to add some energy to it."
