UPDATE: STERN CONFIRMS FOX INTEREST IN HIRING HIM TO REPLACE COWELL ON 'IDOL' (TW)

By Wiretap Staff

UPDATED: Howard Stern on Monday confirmed a report that Fox is interested in hiring the shock jock to replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol."

The Wrap reports that Stern told his listeners on Monday that he is considering leaving Sirius - and radio altogether - to become a judge on the Fox show.

"There's not a better job on the planet than judging that f*ing karaoke contest," Stern said.

"It might be possible, we'll see," he said.

By the end of Monday's radio show, however, Stern jokingly offered what he might say as a judge - the kind of offensive material that's made him a legendary shock jock but would all but kill the chance of Fox hiring him, The Wrap notes.

PREVIOUSLY: "American Idol" producers are eager to hire Howard Stern to replace Simon Cowell, Page Six reports.

An insider told the Post that "Idol" producers say Stern is their top choice to take over from Cowell, who leaves at the end of this season.

Yesterday, The Wrap reported that the shock jock said he was approached about a return to TV on someone's existing show...