NEW YORK (AP) — New “America’s Got Talent” judge Howard Stern says that his critics should watch before attacking him.
Mr. Stern debuts Monday as Piers Morgan’s replacement on NBC’s summertime talent show. Yet a group that calls attention to bad language and risque content on television has already written to advertisers asking them to stay away. The Parents Television Council said the radio shock jock’s addition “will likely result in a sharp increase in explicit content.”
In an hour-long, expletive-free news conference on Thursday, Stern dismissed those concerns and said that he fully understands that “America’s Got Talent” is a family show.
“I really feel a responsibility to the people who love this show already,” Stern said. “In no way do I want to get in the way of it. I want to broaden it and make it better.”
Stern said his critics “are entitled to their opinion. They just sound awfully foolish when they haven’t seen the show.”
Still, his reputation precedes him. Stern noted that before an appearance on “The View” Thursday, executive producer Bill Geddie came over to instruct Stern on what he could or couldn’t say on the air. “I know the rules,” Stern said. “Bill, I’m 58 years old. I feel like I’m 14” getting a lecture, he said.
“Hopefully America will like this and put everybody’s fears to rest,” he said.
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