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Stern sticks up for Union

Longtime radio shock jock Howard Stern is no fan of Simon Cowell. After Gabrielle Union quit Cowell’s show, America’s Got Talent, Stern took Cowell to task, blaming Cowell’s boorish behavior for Union’s departure.

Stern, who is known for his brazen political incorrectness, even called the show a “boy’s club” and hinted that sexism was the reason Union quit the show.

“What he manages to do on all his shows is he constantly replaces the hot chicks with hotter chicks and younger chicks,” Stern said. “Howie’s (Mandel) doing a fine, serviceable job–why don’t they change him? And why don’t they change Simon? … This is the ultimate example of a boys’ club.”

Stern accused Cowell of keeping “old” and “talentless” men on the show for the long haul, while frequently firing and replacing the female hosts. “He sets it up that the men stay no matter how ugly [the men] are, no matter how old they are, no matter how fat they are, no matter how talentless they are,” Stern said.

Cowell did not respond to Stern’s barbs. However, representatives for Union have hinted that she endured racist criticisms from Cowell, such as that her hair and clothing styles were “too black” for a mainstream audience. Another female host, Julianne Hough, also announced that she would be leaving the show after the 2019 season.