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According to MTV.com, controversial radio personality Howard Stern clarified that the interest that the Fox Network has in hiring him to replace ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell is mutual. He discussed the possibility of replacing Cowell earlier today on his satellite radio program. It was confirmed back in January that Cowell will be leaving the ‘American Idol’ judges panel voluntarily after this season in order to launch a separate talent show in the fall of 2011, which will be the American version of the U.K.’s immensely popular ‘X Factor’.

Industry experts are speculating that Fox executives are expected to match Stern’s current five-year, $500 million deal with the offer that they will make to him when his Sirius XM contract expires in January of next year. Stern recited a report on his radio show earlier today that indicated that Cowell himself was the one who suggested hiring Stern as his replacement.

The popular Sirius XM radio personality elaborated on his opinion about serving as an ‘American Idol’ judge by describing it as a dream job, saying, “There’s not a better job in the world than judging a [expletive] karaoke contest.” Stern went on to say, “If I do say so myself, I can't imagine anyone else but me replacing [Cowell]. I mean, how else are they going to make that show work? Who knows how to broadcast and who knows how to be interesting? And who's not afraid to speak their mind?”