Howard Stern in talks for 'America's Got Talent' (WSJ, NYT, DH)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Moore

Following Monday's shocking interview with erstwhile Oscars producer Brett Ratner, shock-jock Howard Stern is back in the news. NBC is in talks with Stern to replace Piers Morgan as one of the judges on summer talent competition show "America's Got Talent."

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news on Thursday and an executive briefed on the negotiations confirmed the story to The New York Times.

While The Journal said that Stern was being offered $15 million for the job, the NYT source said the figure was under discussion but had not been agreed.

Deadline notes that Stern is a huge fan of the show and has often spoken of his wish to be a judge on one of these sorts of programs.

On "Talent" he would join Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne at the judge's table.

Stern would continue to host his Sirius XM radio show which is based in New York. Although Morgan commuted from Manhattan to LA where "Talent" is shot, The Journal said NBC is considering moving the show to NYC, which would cost the network an additional $10 million, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Morgan said he would leave "Talent" earlier this week citing difficulties in juggling his responsibilities there with his CNN show.

Related Links

Stern Nears Judge Seat on 'America's Got Talent' (WSJ, sub)
Howard Stern Is in Talks to Be Judge on 'America's Got Talent' (NYT)
Howard Stern For 'America's Got Talent'? (DH)