A little seven year-old from Philadelphia, who goes by “Mir Money,” performed a rap song on America’s Got Talent last night. Judges Howard Stern and Sharon Osbourne both buzzed little Mir when he was performing, which is what they’re supposed to do when performances aren’t up to par. When it came time for Stern to explain why he buzzed Mir he was very kind and nice about it, but Mir broke down and started crying anyway. Again, the kid is seven. Stern then went up on stage to comfort Mir, explaining that he wasn’t cut out for the job. Outlets are running this story like Stern made the kid cry, and he sort-of did but it wasn’t his fault. Here’s more, thanks to The La Times:
There were the memorable acts. Those included …
Mir Money, a 7-year-old rapper from Philadelphia who charmed everyone by admitting he was his favorite rapper and that, were he to win $1 million, he’d use it to take care of his family.
So when Stern and fellow judge Sharon Osbourne buzzed the adorable tyke and he dissolved into tears, well, we might all have been a bit shaken up. (“He’s only 7!” my outraged 6-year-old daughter exclaimed.)
Stern hightailed it onto the stage to offer comforting words and a hug. “I’ll fix everything. Let me fix everything,” he told us. “I’m so sorry,” he told the kid. “I don’t want to make you cry.”
“This job is too rough for me,” the shock jock said. “I don’t want to do it anymore … I’m not cut out for this.”
Stern, that softie, then voted to send the kid to Vegas, but Osbourne and third judge Howie Mandel proved to have thicker skin and a better grasp of the long-term effects. No, they said, explaining that they had no wish to prolong the wee rapper’s pain.
[From The LA Times]
I have a seven year-old son, and to me this is kind-of like sending your kids to do pageants. It’s not Howard Stern’s fault that this poor little boy was crying, it’s his parents. They’re thrusting their little kid in front of the world in a way that’s potentially devastating for them.
I also blame the producers of America’s Got Talent. They shouldn’t be letting kids on this show, unless they’re a part of a troupe and are not singled out. There should be a cut off age in which kids can compete alone, say 15 or so. (But that number is kind of arbitrary, I understand.) Either way, a kid of seven is not emotionally equipped to perform on a national talent show.
I agree 100%
Me too!
Yes CB, there HAS to be a minimum age for participating in these shows; Simply because of the pimping-parent factor.
Also, I would have believed it more from Simon Cowell, who simply tells it like it is. Stern isn’t known for bullying children, just adults.
+2
+3
That makes me like Stern.
Me too! I felt sorry for Stern!
The kid sucked and was full of himself. He deserved to be buzzed.
I agree, shame on his parents!
I mean, that’s the thing. I felt terrible for the kids but why are his parents offering him up like that? As a parent, you have to be aware that there’s a distinct possibility he could be crushed. AND on national television.
PS. I love your coverage of Stern, C/B. It always seems really fair.
TESTIFY!!!! i blame the attention hungry parents!
OMG it was so sad!!! Love Howard, he is doing great on the show 🙂
I was actually surprised to hear how well Stern handled it. It makes me think he’ll be okay for the job.
I also agree with te age cutoff. No child under 16 has any business being on AGT or Idol.
“This job is too rough for me,” the shock jock said. “I don’t want to do it anymore … I’m not cut out for this.”
Howard Stern a big softy, who knew? I like him, can’t help it.
The kid is really really cute — based on the video’s still image and the picture with Stern (I didn’t watch the video — I hate these shows).
I’ve always loved Howard. He said in some interview that going to therapy made him a more compassionate person. Very different from the Howard of the 90s.
I’m watching AGT just to see how Howard Stern is as a judge.I have to say I saw a completely different side to him last night.Howard handled the situation with some compassion and sympathy but also with some tact.Good on him.
Hi Eve! Anyone that listened to his radio for several years knows that he IS a huge softy. He’s made a career and a name for himself by being an (often times) controversial and sometimes (agressive) interviewer but he really is a good guy at heart (listen to the way he speaks about his current wife Beth, his ex-wife, his kids). Actions speak louder than words and even though he may say some not-so-nice things the guys treats his family, friends and co-workers like gold. He’s a very generous, kind guy…I could go on and on. I love Stern! Anyway, glad to see people who aren’t fans and have formulated an opinion about him based on negative media coverage are finally starting to see that side of him.
But I used to like him even when he was supposedly a “horrible person” 🙂 .
I just didn’t know he could also be such a softy — which is great, actually.
I’ve never had much of an opinion either way when it comes to Stern but this is in no way his fault. He did his job, he was super nice about it, you could tell he felt bad. ALL the blame needs to go to the parents! I have a 7 year old son. He plays guitar. He does a decent job for a 7 year old but he’s no where close to auditioning for a vegas show! I think he’s the greatest kid on earth but I don’t expect everyone else to feel the same way and I’d never throw him to the wolves like this mother did and that is exactly what she did, throw him to the wolves.
Aww! Who knew Howard Stern was such a softie? I think I like him even more than I did before.
I agree that children should never be brought onto these sorts of shows because they do not really understand what is going on. This reminds me of being younger and my parents would wake me up to perform a song in front of “company” for entertainment. Except in this case they might make real money off of the little boy instead of just annoying the crap out of everyone. Which is somehow even more gross.
Also, the “company” you performed in front of most likely smiled and clapped for you. They didn’t have the potential to rip you to shreds in front of millions of people. Shame on the parents and shame on the producers!
You have not met my aunt.
But seriously you are right that someone with no tact would seriously think that it was ok to make fun of child. Saying that children need to learn how to lose or some other sort of harsh nonsense. No one deserves to be embarrassed at this level.
I am 100% agreement with C/B. First line is as a parent…nothing wrong with your child learning about losing or not doing good at something, but not on national TV at 7 y/o.
I so agree 100%! I said the exact same thing when I was watching it with my boyfriend last night – the kid’s mother should never have let him go on. I know people can be delusional about their own kids talents, but you would think this mother would have realized that there was no way her kid was going to get put through (all he did was rap a song, which if taught, most children could do). I’m sure some may think I am being harsh, but it disgusts me that some parents are willing to hurt their children to obtain some dream they have in their own heads. Howard Stern handled himself very well (frankly, so far he is the best judge on there – he shows real intelligence). Shame on the mother of this child and shame on the producers of America’s Got Talent.
Also, what would the kid have learned if they had been “nice” and put him through just because he was cute? I’m sure that’s what the mother was banking on. It’s better he was eliminated first round, rather than letting him think he has a chance and putting him through to the Vegas round.
Agree with everyone, the kid was cute, but not a million dollar act, shame on his parents for letting him do this, and when he started crying why didn’t his mother come from the wings and comfort him? Howard was right, right up until the time he voted yes after buzzing him, man up Howard!
It’s ok, you have goofy Nick Cannon who makes everyone feel better. 🙂
But 7 years old is TOO YOUNG!
Parents/producers shouldn’t have put a 7 yr old up there. End of it.
Did you guys catch it when they asked the little boy what he would do with the money if he won??
*paraphrasing here*
He said he would take care of his family.
gggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrr!
Yeah I thought that was very suspicious…
Why is a 7 year old boy be concerned with taking care of his family?
If you had asked me at that age I would have mentioned things like a pony and a barbie dream house and a race car. And yeah sure, something nice for my mom. But not “taking care of my family.” At that age you should not be feeling responsible for family’s financial situation.
No wonder he broke down crying, talk about pressure….
Oh.
This made me sad 🙁
How about min age of 18 that way they could at least finish high school if the music thing fails – which 99 per cent of the time it does.
We usually ff through the solo kids acts on these shows. Most of them are cringe worthy. Good for Howard! Now maybe a few more people out there will realize that the only people IN THE WORLD that think a 7 year old should be paid a million bucks for his/her “talents” are his PARENTS!
I really, really like Howard on AGT. I think he’s given the most constructive, intelligent criticism to contestants that I’ve ever seen on the show. All other judges so far have fallen short when it comes to coherently explaining what is/isn’t good about the acts; Howard succeeds with aplomb.
I know he is a “shock jock,” but amazingly, I end up liking him more every time I see him! He is, simply, honest. Yes, he is brash on his radio shows, but I am so impressed at how professionally he is able to modify his behaviour to adapt to whatever situation he’s in.
Hugs to Howard. Thumbs down for parents who put their children on display.
It’s definately not Sterns fault. I actually really like Stern on AGT. I, like alot of other people, was thinking about the Howard Stern “Radio” personality when I first heard he was going to be a judge on AGT. But, like I just mentioned, I think he’s awesome. I’ve watched AGT for quite some time and have heard Pierce Morgan say a helluva alot nastier things to people then Stern has ever said so far. BTW, the parents, as well as, other people cant seriously think children are going to get voted to pass on their “cuteness factor alone”? If so, then enter them in a pageant not an actual talent competition!
I completely agree that 7 is much too young for someone to compete on these shows. And yes, Stern was a real sweetheart in how he handled it…
Never in my life did I ever think I would be a fan of Howard Stern but I am after seeing him on AGT. Kudos to Sharon and Howie for having the integrity to say no. Too bad the producers and that poor kid’s parents didn’t have the same.
People are going to think I’m horrible but a little part of me wonders if the crying was put on. He did seem more angry at first plus, if it wasn’t why didn’t the mom go out there? I don’t know why but something about the kid from the beginning seemed too “coached.” His answers to the questions were just too…I don’t know, adult maybe?
That being said he is still an adorable little kid basically being exploited by his parents, which is sad part to me…
Stern was right, the kid wasn’t really any good. His mom should take the blame for shoving him out there.
as a lifelong Stern fan im sitting here crying while reading these comments…NOW you know what all of his fans know. He is the greatest. Im so happy everyone gets to see the real Howard finally!!! *sniiiifff*
I hear you Izzards Chick… I once loathed Stern because of his whole shock-jock persona, but then I watched Private Parts and I finally got him… I’ve had a soft spot for him ever since.
You are the BEST kind of fan, a convert! 😉
ha ha yep, I’m a convert – wish I had his movie so I could watch it again 😀
Ugh, how awful. Stern’s reaction seemed genuinely horrified. I’m genuinely horrified. Shouldn’t have been allowed to happen, shame on the show and the parents.
I used to listen to Stern when I was…uh, about this kid’s age (my parents, bless them, had odd ideas about child rearing), and you could always tell he had a soft side. Kinda like Gordon Ramsay- tough and shocking persona, but you can tell there’s genuine tenderness there…it only comes out under certain conditions.
I have always loved Howard. Sharp, witty interviewer, and funny as hell.
Now you are all in on what I have known all along.
I hate sharing Howard with everyone!
I am not a huge Stern fan. But he isn’t in the wrong here. As everyone else said, it is the parents. Or mostly like PARENT.
But Stern earned a lifetime pass from me on 9/11. Basically being the only real human being on the air that morning.
If they’re going to put children under 18 on the show, they *can’t* blame the judges if they cry!
Howard was kissing up to the CROWD, NOT the child.
He has no children, and he makes a living off humiliating people. He has the heart of a snake.
He has THREE children. You should get your information straight, as otherwise, you look foolish.
to the above poster Mooshi, he does have children, I believe 3 daughters infact. He is a pretty awesome guy, Private Parts was a love letter to his wife, he adores his current wife Beth, and if you listened to him, he talks about his family with a great deal of self deprecating humour and praise for his children, friends, and staff; who are also extremely loyal. One way to judge the truth about someone’s character is to notice their professionalism and how loyal and happy the people are who work with and around them. He is a pretty cool guy.
Alrighty then, I was wrong that he doesnt have children, Ill take a hit for that. Im an honest gal.
I am right, however, that he was playing up to the CROWD, and not the child. I suggest you rerun the clip.
And prove me wrong that Stern isn’t a RACIST who makes a living out of making fun of “gentiles”. He, Ricky Lake, Jerry Springer all made their millions off making fun of non-Jewish people
Now you get YOUR facts straight.
Stern was the reason I turned off my TV 10 years ago. The blatant racism from him is suffocating.
I’m happy to see Stern on the national stage again and that people are really seeing what a great personality he really is. He is one of the smartest people in show business and has with many facets to his personality. His job is to entertain you, keep you tuned in and engaged. I have spent many moments laughing out loud in my car, during long commutes to work for many years, thanks to Stern.
This kid’s mom is an asshole who likely is too stupid to realize how wrong she was for sending him to this audition. Just disgusting. People like that can never admit their mistakes.
**Edit above post**
“This is the reason I stopped watched TV 10 years ago.”
I can never listen to Stern again without seeing that picture of him, on his knees with that kid. It’s like seeing your parents have sex. We all knew Howard liked Crap on TV, just like we knew about our folks, but seeing him indulge in the Act is shocking and sad. Venality has always been part of Howard and part of his act. But this seems too much of “He became what he beheld”.
After Stern humiliates so many people, now he is a nice guy? I don’t believe it. Stern is doing what he thinks the people want to see so he is accepted in his new huge income role (radio show is diving along with sirus)
How would stern like it if someone were to say to him it is good his dog died, they should send him to the dog food factory. Well, that is who Stern is, a hateful person who cares only about his own ego and bank account,,,