Howard Stern 's well received start on America's Got Talent has gone down well with at least one advertiser on the show. Bosses on the family friendly programme were criticized for hiring the controversial shock jock as a new judge, with some industry experts warning his behavior could cause lucrative advertisers to pull out.
However, Stern made a surprisingly mellow start to the show this week, and one of America's Got Talent's biggest sponsors, Pizza Hut, says it has no plans to remove its ads from the show. A representative for the company tells Tmz.com, "Pizza Hut strives to maintain the highest standards of quality and excellence in our communications to the public. Our advertisements are no exception, and are designed to draw attention to our products and appeal to a broad audience", adding, "Unfortunately, we may not always succeed in generating a positive impact on every guest, and we apologize if our methods offend some". The news comes after the Parents Television Council sent a letter to all of the show's sponsors threatening to cut ties with them should they endorse Howard Stern's appearance. In the letter written to 91 advertisers, the Ptc cites Stern's violent and crude language as a reason to boycott the programme. They claimed the shock jock has no interest in judging talent, saying he's only an expert at "looking at insecure, naked young women and telling them whether or not they were hot enough to pose for Playboy".
During this week's season opener, Stern was described by the Washington Post as "downright sappy". After one audition in which a 62-year-old father and his 18-year-old daughter received a standing ovation for their rendition of 'You've Got a Friend', Stern told the man, "Every father in America is wishing they have what you have. You have perfection".