America’s Got Talent is a wholesome, family show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the ultimate prize of $1 million. The Parents Television Council is already making a fuss, declaring primetime TV is no place for Stern.

Forbes agrees Stern is “a terrible choice for NBC” wondering if the shock jock can “rein it in for network television” and how NBC can justify both Stern’s high salary and the additional cost of moving the production to New York City (to accomodate Stern).

When asked about his salary by TMZ, Stern dismissed reports that he is earning a whopping $20 million, responding “Do I work for that little?” It’s worth noting that SiriusXM shells out $400 million for Stern’s five-year contract.

Entertainment Weekly contends “NBC has finally done something right,” predicting the publicity alone will immediately boost ratings and that Stern will deliver “blessed directness” to the boring banter often plaguing reality TV talent shows. 

It’s been awhile since I heard his radio show, but I’m not sure Stern has been funny since he married model Beth Ostrosky Stern or, for that matter, divorced his first wife of 23 years. I always thought Stern’s humor represented the everyman, a neurotic husband and father coping with the absurdity of suburban family life through dirty jokes and lusting after porn stars. When Stern’s fantasies came true and he actually started dating porn stars, strippers, and models, he fell into the cliche playboy stereotype, taking himself too seriously to recognize the irony. A decade later, perhaps Stern’s role on America’s Got Talent can revive the mainstream, average joe humor that grew his early following.

—Whitney