"America's Got Talent" may not be back on the NBC airwaves until this summer, but the roundup of talent has already begun -- and judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel (along with host Nick Cannon) are already hard at work. They took a break from sifting through the talent on Monday morning to join TODAY's Matt Lauer on the plaza to talk about the newly-configured judging panel, whether last year's winners were the right ones, and what kind of bikini top to wear during a water rescue.

Fortunately, the group seems to be getting along famously. "The female energy is there!" crowed Mel B.

"Literally from this television show I'm getting 10 new wrinkles," said Klum, who also sits in judgement on Lifetime's "Project Runway," because I'm laughing all day, because they're all so funny."

"I've taken Heidi under my wing, Matt, and I'm teaching her about judging -- that's why she'll be excellent," declared Stern. 

There is tension, admitted Mandel, but it's a "respectful tension. I don't agree a lot with some of the other judges." He also doesn't always agree with America, saying that last season's winners (the Olate Dogs) were not the best act. "I would have picked another act to win," he said. "But America chose them. ... America is buying the tickets."

As for that water rescue --  Klum raced into the ocean while vacationing in Hawaii when her son and one of his nannies were caught in a riptide at the end of March, and she talked about it during the visit. "It just shows you in your life you never know what's going to happen," she said. "In one second, everything and then all of a sudden the next second your son is smooshed by a wave in the ocean." But her kids have been swimming since they were 2 years old, she added, so her son was able to help save himself.

Stern, naturally, learned a different lesson than to teach your children how to swim. "And your top fell off," he noted. "In a rescue, make sure to wear a tight top."

"America's Got Talent" returns this summer on NBC.

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Howard Stern

Howard Stern is adding his voice to the very public, very messy back-and-forth between Kelly Clarkson and Clive Davis. The radio shock jock, who is known more often for slamming celebrities than defending them, took a surprisingly sympathetic stance toward the "American Idol" alum's accusations that Davis had "bullied" her during their collaborations -- and mischaracterized her in his memoir, "The Soundtrack of My Life."

"I always find it sickening when management guys like to set the record straight about how f--king creative and what geniuses they are," Stern said on his show on Wednesday, Feb. 20. "And, like, this guy's trying to diminish what she does? Doesn't he have enough in life? Can't he sort of tell his story without f--king degrading her and putting her down?"

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Earlier this week, Clarkson, 30, took to her blog to slam what she called Davis' "memory lapses and misinformation."

"First, he says I burst into 'hysterical sobbing' in his office when he demanded 'Since U Been Gone' be on my album. Not true at all," she wrote of her 2004 album "Breakaway." "I cried because he hated ["Because of You"] and told me verbatim that I was a 's--tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.'" 

The legendary 80-year-old record producer defended the details of his memoir, though he did own up to "a few creative differences' in their years working together.

PHOTOS: Kelly's funny night at the Grammys 2013

"As anyone who has read 'The Soundtrack of My Life' knows, I think Kelly Clarkson is a tremendous vocal talent and performer," he wrote on Twitter one day later, on Wednesday, Feb. 20. "In the book, I provide an in-depth look at our years together during which we shared major multi-platinum success, as well as a few creative differences. I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together."

Stern's comments Wednesday similarly praised Clarkson's vocal prowess, though he too saw Davis' memoir as a knock on the "Stronger" singer's talents.

PHOTOS: Kelly's body evolution

"I think she has an amazing voice, and the girl has worked hard to get to where she is," he said. "I don't understand Clive Davis' motivation for knocking this chick down."

The 59-year-old radio host is no stranger to controversy himself, having come under fire earlier this year after calling 'Girls' creator Lena Dunham a "little fat girl" and likening the HBO show's sex scenes to "rape" -- he offered Dunham an on-air apology a few days later.

"It makes me feel bad, and I think she is getting the impression that I somehow think she's just a talentless little fat chick," he said.

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Brendon Thorne / Getty Images file

Mel B. is officially joining "America's Got Talent" as the new judge.

"America's Got Talent" may have said goodbye long-time judge Sharon Osbourne, who left the show at the end of last season, but they've found a reality TV vet with plenty of stage experience to fill her big shoes: former Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

"This exciting addition of the dynamic Mel B to our lineup of judges promises that fans will see a strong, talented and opinionated woman match up against our equally outspoken judges Howard Stern and Howie Mandel,” said Paul Telegdy, the president of alternative programming for NBC, in a statement Thursday. "Her presence has powder-keg potential for lots of fireworks this summer as the No. 1-rated 'America’s Got Talent' will return with even bigger and more exotic acts than any year before."

The network confirmed in December that shock jock Stern would be returning to judge a second season. The upcoming eighth season of the show will be Mandel's fourth as a judge.

"I’m thrilled to be part of this season of ‘America’s Got Talent’ and to get to work with Howie and Howard," said Mel B, formerly known as Scary Spice. "It’s so exciting to be bringing some Girl Power to the panel!"

Her reality TV experience includes competing in season five of "Dancing With the Stars," in which she placed second; judging "The X Factor: Australia" for two seasons; co-hosting one season of "DWTS: Australia"; and starring in the Style Network's reality show "Mel B: It's a Scary World."

What do you think of the addition of Mel B. to "AGT"? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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Winter storm Nemo didn't stop radio host Howard Stern and wife Beth Ostrosky Stern from getting out and enjoying the snow. Beth Stern tweeted a series of photos, taken by her husband, showing her in knee-deep snow wearing sleeveless gowns and, in one instance, a bikini.

Beth and Howard Stern wed in 2008. She has worked as a model and actress, appearing in the 2000 Amanda Peet film "Whipped" and the 1996 Ben Stiller comedy "Flirting With Disaster," and has been named numerous times to FHM's 100 Sexiest Women of the Year lists.

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Reuters / Getty Images file

Lena Dunham called in to Howard Stern's show Wednesday to address his comments about her and her show "Girls."

Typically brash Howard Stern surprised both fans and critics alike by issuing a public apology to Lena Dunham on his radio show Monday, Jan. 14, so the "Girls" creator did what any gracious Hollywood starlet would do: She called in.

The 26-year-old director/actress/writer dropped a line during Stern's SiriusXM Radio show Wednesday, Jan. 16, to reassure Stern that his comments were water under the bridge -- and call him out on one comment in particular. 

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"I don't even know where to begin with all of this," an apologetic Stern began. "The reason I felt so awful was because when Perez Hilton wrote his article, he told half the story. ...I started to compare you to Woody Allen ... the whole thing came together for me.” 

The shock jock, 59, continued with a declaration: "I guess I just wanted to tell you I love you and I think you're terrific." 

On Monday, Jan. 7, Stern caused an angry buzz online after he slammed both Dunham and her hit HBO show "Girls." 

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"It's a little fat girl who kinda looks like Jonah Hill and she keeps taking her clothes off and it kind of feels like rape. She seems -- it's like -- I don't want to see that," he scoffed at the time. 

Dunham admitted Wednesday that she first learned of his cruel comments after castmate Jemima Kirke, who is a huge fan of Stern's show, tipped her off that the radio host was comparing her to the "Superbad" actor. 

"I thought that was a good line, actually," Stern chuckled, trying to make light of the situation. 

Dunham responded gamely, but made sure to still get her point across. 

"I'm not that fat, Howard," she said. "I don't mean to take major issue with you about this. I'm not super thin, but I'm thin for, like, Detroit." 

Photos from Us: Lena Dunham and other stars at the Golden Globes 

Stern agreed, explaining that he just meant that she often played up the "fat angle" on the show. 

"You're not obese or anything," he allowed. 

"Thank you. Another thing for my gravestone," Dunham laughed, referring to comments she made on the "Late Show" last Thursday, Jan. 10. "Howard Stern says, 'You're not obese or anything.'" 

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Fred Armisen.

"Portlandia" and "Saturday Night Live" star Fred Armisen was nothing if not frank during his Jan. 3 interview with (equally frank) Howard Stern. The two covered quite a bit of ground during the radio interview and among the topics was Armisen's brief marriage to "Mad Men" star Elisabeth Moss. The two knew each other for a year before marrying, and of their union, which lasted less than a year, Armisen told Stern, "I was a terrible husband."

"I want it all -- fast ... I want to be married," Armisen said. "The amount of girls I’ve lived with -- right away -- and then somewhere around a year, two years, I get freaked out. Freaked out emotionally ... and I actually feel like, 'oh my god, who is this stranger in my house?'"

Armisen's comments come months after his ex wife broke the ice about the demise of their marriage. In an interview with Page Six magazine in March 2012, Moss said, "It's so hard to talk about ... One of the greatest things I heard someone say about him (Armisen) is, 'He's so great at doing impersonations. But the greatest impersonation he does is that of a normal person.' To me, that sums it up ... And I think that's ... that's it. I've never told anyone that. And I don't want to waste any more of my life talking about it."

Speaking of impersonations, another change that came for Armisen in 2012 as that he was no longer impersonating President Barack Obama on "Saturday Night Live" -- a role he played since the 2008 presidential campaign. "It's not like breaking news, it's a discussion with ("SNL" executive producer) Lorne Michaels," Armisen explained.

And when it was decided that Jay Pharoah would take over the Obama role, Armisen was completely cool with it. "I get to do so much on that show. They let me do the craziest most experimental things," Armisen said. "I trust what the show is. So it feels nice to hand it over and say, 'yeah, great, whatever works best for the show' ... I loved doing it and it was fun, and for some reason it's fun not doing it. It's great to see it change over. "

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Robin Quivers, Howard Stern’s longtime radio wing-woman, announced last week that she would be undergoing "a procedure" to remove a newly discovered tumor on her bladder, a procedure that reportedly was performed on Wednesday, May 23.

Quivers was noticeably vague with her initial statements on the issue, stating on-air on “The Howard Stern Show” on Monday, May 14 only that she would undergo "a procedure" to remove a grapefruit-sized growth on her bladder, which had awakened her the previous weekend, preventing her from urinating. Reports Examiner.com, following the emergency, Stern’s co-host of more than 30 years had a CAT scan, which revealed the tumor, and came to work the following Monday attached to a catheter.

“When you see me, I’m peeing,” Quivers joked. “It could be something not so bad. It could be really bad ... Hopefully it's something that can just be cut out.”

In response, Stern replied sarcastically, “Think of me for once. You'll be dead and I'll still have to do the show."

It was also Stern who suggested Quivers’ surgery took place on Wednesday, offering an emotional tribute to his cohort during his broadcast that day, and commenting on her absence, "Doing a show without Robin is like cutting off my left arm. Or my right arm. Or maybe both.

"She was my backbone, you understand," Stern said. "Where I would lose courage, Robin always had the courage. She always is the brave one. Always the brave one with me. I could go to her, and I could always rely on her.”

While the results of the operation are unknown, the 59-year-old Quivers mentioned she’s had non-cancerous fibroid tumors in the past, and is hoping the current condition is similar. Also reported by Examiner.com, “The Howard Stern Show” producer JD Harmeyer is equally out of the loop on Quivers’ condition, remarking, “I know as much as the audience does. Clearly she doesn’t want the full details of what’s she’s going through out on the air, because she hasn’t given the full details and I think the less people here who know the full details, the better chance she will have of them not spilling out.”

Stern has said a few times now he would not continue the program without Quivers, which may not be a far stretch considering his current position as co-host of “America’s Got Talent,” and ongoing contract dispute with SiriusXM radio, which broadcasts his show. Reports USA Today, after signing a five-year contract with the network in 2010, the self-proclaimed King of All Media sued the company for $300 million in March 2011 over a bonus dispute. The suit was dismissed by a judge in April, citing the ambiguous language of his contract, but Stern said he will appeal.

Whether or not Quivers’ potential exit would be reason enough for Stern to cut ties with the satellite radio company is speculation, but the host appeared disheartened by his colleague’s struggle.
 
"I'll f***ing kill you if you have cancer," said Stern when he heard the news. "I'm not doing the show without you… I'm quitting if you're not doing the show."

"Oh, don't make me cry," she replied.

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Once, May meant that all television shows were ending and a season of reruns was ahead. No more. Now we've got a year-round TV season, so you can choose from small-screen or big-screen entertainment pretty much year-round. This week, "America's Got Talent" is just about to get underway, and some of the movies you've been hearing about for months are arriving in theaters.

Here are our top three entertainment picks for the week ahead.

1. MONDAY: "America's Got Talent" premiere
Yes, fans are divided about radio host Howard Stern joining "America's Got Talent" as a judge when the show premieres this week. But Stern himself told Matt Lauer he plans to be a "very serious judge" and confesses he even hugged one young auditioner who didn't make the grade. Can he change the opinion of those who know only his raunchy radio image? Tune in and find out. (Premieres May 14, 8 p.m., NBC.)

2. WEDNESDAY: "The Dictator"
Sacha Baron Cohen has been parading around as "The Dictator" for months now, even making a controversial appearance on the Oscars red carpet (he actually apologized for dumping ashes on Ryan Seacrest). Now the film, which features Baron Cohen as Admiral General Aladeen, a North African dictator who heads to America, where he finds himself having to fit in to the culture he's railed against. A scene from the trailer shows him leaning into a NYPD patrol car, asking the officer, "Is there any way you could lend me some money? Maybe ... $20,000,000?" Note: This film opens on a Wednesday, not the normal movie-opening day, Friday. (Opens May 16.) 

3. FRIDAY: "Battleship"
Yes, it's inspired by the Hasbro board game, leading to plenty of jokes as to whether Liam Neeson will growl "You sank my Battleship!" But if you can't lead into the summer movie season with aliens and a lot of explosions, when can you do it? You may need to put your brain on hold, but mixed early reviews praise the unapologetic action and escapism. Plus, it may be your first chance to see singer Rihanna act. (Opens May 18.)

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Kathy Willens / AP

Howard Stern

A judge has dismissed radio personality Howard Stern's $330 million lawsuit accusing Sirius XM Radio Inc of failing to pay him stock awards he was due for helping the dominant U.S. satellite radio company exceed growth targets.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Kapnick in Manhattan said Stern and his agent Don Buchwald were bound by the language of the 2004 agreement that brought the now 58-year-old "shock jock" to what became Sirius XM from traditional radio.

The case centered on whether to count subscribers of the former XM Satellite Radio Inc, which Sirius bought in 2008, to help determine performance-based awards for Stern's production company, One Twelve Inc, and fees for Buchwald. Kapnick agreed with Sirius that XM subscribers should not be counted.

"While it may be true that Stern and Buchwald hoped and expected to reap the benefits from any significant growth that Sirius experienced after they entered into the agreement, that subjective expectation cannot suffice to override the clear, unambiguous language of the agreement," Kapnick wrote.

The judge dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning Stern cannot bring it again. Kapnick issued her decision on Monday.

Seth Rothman, a lawyer who represents Stern, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Patrick Reilly, a Sirius spokesman, declined to comment.

Sirius ended 2011 with 21.9 million subscribers, up from 3.3 million at the end of 2005, when the New York-based company was known as Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.

Stern moved his radio show to Sirius on Jan. 9, 2006. He renewed his contract for five years in December 2010, only to file his lawsuit three months later.

According to the lawsuit, Stern's presence helped Sirius exceed subscriber targets by at least 2 million in each of several years beginning in 2006, triggering a new stock award every time.

Sirius awarded $75 million to One Twelve and $7.5 million to Buchwald after the first year.

Kapnick said the company could have owed One Twelve another $300 million and Buchwald another $30 million had all the performance awards been triggered.

She noted, however, that the only contractual provision that even mentioned XM or a potential merger called for Sirius to pay $25 million to One Twelve and $2.5 million to Buchwald if the XM merger took place. These payments were made, she said.

Last month, Sirius asked the Federal Communications Commission to reject an application by John Malone's Liberty Media Corp for 'de facto' control of Sirius. Malone is Sirius' largest shareholder, with preferred stock convertible into a 40 percent stake, but does not exercise full control.

Sirius shares rose 7 cents, or 3.2 percent, to $2.24 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq.

Are you a Stern fan? Tell us on Facebook.

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Dan Steinberg / AP file

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera wasn't on "The Howard Stern Show" this week, but Stern tried to get her fellow "Voice" judge Adam Levine to comment on the singer's weight anyway.

Asked the radio host, “This is a sensitive subject for women, but why do you think she's gotten so heavy? Is she upset?... And her clothes are too tight, right?"

In response, the diplomatic rocker said, “I’m keeping my f***ing mouth shut.”

Levine does admit Aguilera likes to wear tight clothes and is proud of her womanhood, but he refused to be drawn into comment as to her size.

“Yeah, but when you're a plus-size woman, you can't wear the tight clothes anymore," Stern continued, estimating that the 5' 2" Aguilera wears something over a size 12.

Levine, noticeably uncomfortable by the topic, countered, "I wouldn't go that far, actually."

Earlier this year, Aguilera told press she was fine with her look. "I've been on all spectrums," she said, as reported by Us Magazine. "You can never be too much of anything. You can never be too perfect, too thin, too curvy, voluptuous, this, that. I've been on all sides of the spectrum, as far as any female in this business."

Some fans immediately came to the singer's defense.  Ijeoma Okere wrote on The Huffington Post, "Good for Adam for having some class. So she's not a stick anymore. She's also not a teen popstar anymore. She's in her 30s, she's had a child and frankly I think she's happier now than she has been in a long time." 

And others were glad Levine didn't follow Stern down the weight-speculation path. Wrote reader Clara on Gossip Cop: "Glad Adam didn't bite on trying to diss Christina Aguilera. I love all 4 coaches on The Voice!"

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Richard Drew / AP file

Happy birthday, Howard Stern.

OPINION

Howard Stern is 58 today, and there are many reasons to wish the self-proclaimed King of All Media a happy one. Wait a minute -- hear us out.

Say Stern's name and you're likely to get one of two responses: "Baba Booey to you!" or "Ugh! What a disgusting pig!" If you fall into the "ugh!" camp, 2012 just might be the year you start to come over to "Baba Booey"-ville.

Stern started the year on a very high note when he reached out to fans via Twitter on New Year's Eve, asking them to tweet him their phone numbers so that he could call them, thank them for their support and wish them a happy new year. The gesture thrilled fans and gave the man himself an emotional boost, which he shared with his listeners on his SiriusXM radio show.

This summer, he's making the jump to yet another medium -- primetime TV -- as one of the judges on "America's Got Talent."

The announcement brought condemnation from various parental watch groups and more than a few "I'll never watch agains" from the "ugh" crowd. But their vitriol is misplaced. Stern is an unbashed fan of the show, as well as "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars" and "X Factor." In his long career, he has seen a host of musical talent -- and the lack of it -- and is in a very strong position to offer truthful, and occasionally biting, comments to contestants. If you're expecting him to be nasty or vulgar, you may be disappointed, because ... wait for it ... he's actually a nice guy.

A devoted husband and father, Stern has been a vocal advocate for free speech, gay rights and animal rights. Listeners know that despite his bluster, he is a pussycat of a boss and has seemingly infinite compassion for his "whack pack." Just when you think he's finally done with Eric the Actor, he reaches out to help him yet again. He may rail furiously at Scott the Engineer or Benjy or Sal on Monday, but by Tuesday, all is forgiven.

So, on Howard's 58th birthday, we wish the King a very happy day, a very successful year and a heartfelt "hey now!"

Come on, "ugh" people. Give him a chance!

Are you a Stern fan or foe? Are you willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as he joins "AGT" this season? Share your thoughts on Facebook.

Richard Drew / AP

Howard Stern wished some fans a happy new year with a personal call.

Howard Stern fans who follow the radio host on Twitter had a chance to get up close and personal with the King of All Media on New Year's Eve.

Stern tweeted this message to his followers Saturday night: "Beth and I are drunk dialing. What's your phone number?"

Stern and wife Beth apparently followed through on that promise for the next few hours, at least according to Stern's Twitter feed, where he would tweet about who he spoke to. In numerous cases, he didn't reach the person, but tweeted that he left them a voicemail message.

One fan tweeted that he adopted his two cats because of advice from Stern, and Stern tweeted "Just called to hear about the cats. Got voicemail."

An equal opportunity pet lover, apparently, Stern also called two fans who mentioned their dogs, including one who said that he and his wife were staying home with a dog who'd just returned from the ICU.

 To another, Stern tweeted "sorry to interrupt the video games," and to another, he said "Drinking beer alone. What happened? You clammed up on me."

Some of the fans then reported on their calls via Twitter. The aforementioned video gamer wrote "Howard Stern just called me! This new year rules already!"

Another lucky fan tweeted after her call: "OMG! It was like the best thing ever! I started crying after we hung up!"

When he was finished, Stern tweeted "Just made my last call. Going to bed. Wishing everyone a happy new year. If u get a call after this...it's not me."

 Are you a Howard Stern fan? Tell us on Facebook.

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