TRIPLE THREAT: Howard Stern is the only member of the “America’s Got Talent” judging panel who has confirmed that he will return. (Stephen Brashear/NBC)
TRIPLE THREAT: Howard Stern is the only member of the “America’s Got Talent” judging panel who has confirmed that he will return. (
)
The King of all Media will once again be the judge of all talent.
Howard Stern confirmed yesterday that he’ll be back for a second season of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” — and he wouldn’t mind working alone.
“Believe me, if I was the only judge, I think the show would be terrific,” he told listeners on his Sirius XM radio show. “You don’t need the other judges, but all right. I gotta to learn to play with others.”
Stern announced his not-so-surprising decision to return after months of speculation that he may walk away due to low ratings and long hours.
“It’s f – – king exhausting doing the show,” he admitted.
Stern joined the program last season, reportedly taking home $15 million to offer his commentary on everything from jugglers to dancing animals.
So far, the controversial entertainer, 58, is the only member of the show’s judging panel confirmed to return.
Sharon Osbourne abruptly quit last August after an ugly falling out with NBC. Howie Mandel has not yet revealed his future plans, but will debut a new game show on the network next month.
Stern didn’t offer any insight into whether Mandel would join him again or who might replace Osbourne.
Last month, The Post reported that Carmen Electra is among the names being considered for the job.
“If I don’t like the new judge, I’ll hit the ‘X’ on the judge while they’re talking,” Stern warned. “’ll be like, ‘Shut up, no one wants to hear from you.”
With Stern back onboard, “Talent” producers can now turn their attention to finding a home for the summer’s top-rated variety show.
Last season, its live shows were broadcast from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, but many viewers complained the venue was too large and distracting and the acoustics were terrible.
A source close to the show tells The Post that the production will almost certainly remain in the New York area and “NJPAC is still a contender,” but other locations are being considered, as well.
Due to the size of the production and the number of acts, “finding a location is challenging,” the source says.
“We loved having them,” NJPAC president John Schreiber says. “They were great neighbors, and we would love to have them back. We had 40,000 people at their live shows. I bet most of them had never been to Newark before.”
A rep for NBC had no comment.
Auditions for the eighth season of “Talent” will take place in New York City on Feb. 1 and 2.