NY shock jock Howard Stern said to be in talks to replace ankling Simon Cowell on American Idol.

With Cowell going and Paula Abdul already gone who will liven up the nationwideamateur hour alongside Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson?

"Idol is one of the few shows that could compete with Stern's $100 million-a-year Sirius contract, and Idol bosses think he'd be even nastier than Simon," a source told The NY Post.

Stern recently said he'll be looking for work when his current contract with Sirius Xm Radio expires next year. 

Stern also hinted on-the-air  he's being courted by top TV honchos about a new gig.

"Recently I was approached by a major TV network to take over a TV show and leave here and do that next year - and I did turn it down," Stern divulged.

"Well, I didn't turn it down. I started to entertain it and think about it, and then I probably think my demands are pretty heavy and they were attempting to negotiate and I said 'you don't have to'."

Sources told The ENQUIRER that Howard may just want to take a break from it ALL.