'America's Got Talent' 2015 Finale Bids Farewell To Judge Howard Stern; Will Simon Cowell Replace Him In Season 11?

After a long and strange run as a judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” Howard Stern bid his final farewell during the Season 10 finale. The actor previously revealed that he’s stepping down from the hosting chair and won’t return for the next season, begging the question: Who should replace him?

As Variety notes, Stern’s sendoff after four seasons was surprisingly emotional, heartfelt and family-friendly given the radio host’s propensity for being off-color. The black and white tribute showed the 61 year old walking around his native New York City, underscored by Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.” In the video, below, he expresses his love for the city and exhibits pride that he was able to bring “America’s Got Talent” -- which USA Today notes was the summer’s most-watched series -- to the Big Apple.

“I felt really fortunate that I could be the guy responsible for bringing the show to New York,” he said. “You know what, I did the most shocking thing of my career. I did a family show.”

Stern revealed that Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent” would be his last during an airing of his popular radio show in June. At the time, the judge indicated that another opportunity in television was drawing his time away from the show and that he was simply too busy to continue on. This has many people wondering who will come around to fill the vacant fourth chair left alongside returning judges Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Mel B.

A lot of speculation has been directed at “America’s Got Talent” executive producer Simon Cowell, whom fans of the early seasons of “American Idol” and “X Factor” will note has quite a bit of experience judging for reality TV. Stern first brought up his name during his radio show announcement. According to Deadline, Stern reportedly said, “Simon Cowell wants it anyway. He would be good at it.”

Although nothing has been confirmed by the network, U.K. news site The Sun is reporting that Cowell has already accepted the job as the replacement for Stern in Season 11, meaning he’d have to split his time between the show and two other’s he’s a star of in the U.K.

Would you like to see Simon Cowell return as a judge on American television? Check out Stern’s sendoff video below and comment or tweet your thoughts to @TylerMcCarthy.