We hoped it was a horrible rumor. But it appears there's more truth than fiction to the report that Howard Stern is being considered as a replacement for Simon Cowell on American Idol.The shock jock took some time on his show this morning to discuss the Idol rumors and in a very Howard way, he managed to stir up even more controversy.

While FOX has denied approaching the shock jock, Stern confirmed that there has been interest in him permanently joining the Idol judging panel. Perhaps most shocking of all, Stern thinks he'd be just the guy for the job. "If I do say so myself, I can't imagine anyone else but me replacing [Cowell]. I mean, I don't know. How else are they going to make that show work? Who knows how to broadcast and who knows how to be interesting? And who's not afraid to speak their mind?"

If FOX were to hire Hoard Stern, it would cost them a pretty penny. The shock jock is finishing up a 5 year 500 million dollar contract with Sirius radio and Stern would require a similar paycheck to judge Idol. "They'd have to pay me a ton of dough because I already make a ton of dough." So, what is a ton of dough according to Stern? He says he could be persuaded to judge what he called a "f'ing karaoke show" for $100 million dollars. "Yeah, I would do that show for $100 million." How magnanimous of you Howard!

If Howard were to join the Idol judges' panel, you can guarantee that there would be some issues between him and the other new Idol judge, Ellen DeGeneres. When he wasn't busy demanding his bloated price or calling Idol a karaoke show, he spent his time lewdly dissing Ellen and the ways he'd shut her up. (Things I can't write about on a family friendly site.) While reports of a Simon and Ellen feud may strictly be rumors, I imagine the Ellen and Howard feud has already begun.

Here's to hoping that FOX realizes there are about a 100 million better ways to spend a 100 million than giving Howard Stern a place on American Idol.

(Image Courtesy of Sirius Radio)