Devil In Disguise? Howard Stern Shows Softer Side In America's Got Talent Debut

On Monday, his conduct was just fine, as the Private Parts star showed he was ready very serious about evaluating the country's hopefuls, and not doing a prime-time version of his randy radio program.

"These executives at NBC must be out of their mind taking a risk on me!" said the radio legend, who was famously fired from the Peacock network's radio division in 1985 after repeated clashes with management. "I say I won't make it through the first show -- what do you think?"

The King of All Media made it through with flying colors however -- showing his chops as a judge after years of discourse about shows such as American  Idol and Dancing with the Stars on his radio show -- with well-spoken assessments of the contestants and what they brought to the table.

After the dance troupe Light Wire Theater took the stage, Howard delivered a touching soliloquy to the hard-working performers.

"We are the greatest country in the world," he said. "We have the most creative people. You're everything that makes America great. I applaud your originality, and I thank you for lifting everyone's spirit."

Howard, a proud father-of-three, was also moved by Maurice and Shanice Hayes, a father and daughter who performed a duet of I'll Be There.

"You guys are spectacular together," he said. "I think every father in America right now is like, 'Wow, that's the kind of relationship I want to have with my daughter.'"

Magician Aoni Jackson didn't impress the 6-foot-5 New Yorker all that much however, as Howard gave him the "X," saying, "I think the X has a lot of power! I like hitting it."

Howard brings his larger-than-life personality and inimitable voice in replacing former judge Piers Morgan on the summer talent show alongside incumbent judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel.

In a chat with Ryan Seacrest Monday, the radio icon said he hopes to eliminate the niceties and be honest with the aspiring performers, as American Idol judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have been criticized for being misleadingly nice to singers who just don't have it.