Howard Stern Responds to Censorship Groups: “I Feel a Responsibility to the People Who Love This Show”

If the selection of Howard Stern as a judge for America’s Got Talent was meant to drum up publicity due to his controversial reputation, NBC has totally succeeded on that front.

It seems that entertainment news has been heavy on Howard Stern mentions since the shock jock made his first appearance as a judge on the competition, and predictably, censorship groups have taken a particular interest in the network’s selection of Stern as a host. In a letter sent to 91 advertisers, the Parents’ Television Council said of Howard Stern’s suitability for the America’s Got Talent gig:

“[T]o our knowledge his only previous judging experience consisted of looking at insecure, naked young women and telling them whether or not they were hot enough to pose for Playboy.”

However, Howard Stern fans are well aware of the DJ’s appreciation for and in-depth analysis of show’s like America’s Got Talent, and in the wake of the criticism, Stern has been addressing his critics in multiple interviews and press conferences about his intent for the show. Stern underscores his own genuine appreciation for the genre, and says:

“I really feel a responsibility to the people who love this show already… In no way do I want to get in the way of it. I want to broaden it and make it better.”

To critics that Stern says “just sound awfully foolish when they haven’t seen the show,” the radio host explains that he accepted the gig solely as a labor of love. He says:

“I didn’t need the money… I didn’t need more fame. I certainly feel famous enough. I’m comfortable in my life. I just love the show and thought how much fun it would be to do it.”

America’s Got Talent execs have said they believe Stern is the closest alternative to Simon Cowell, whose straightforward and unvarnished assessments shaped the genre.