Holmes: Jackie Clarke is gone, and I think we can safely say she wasn't the greatest success on the programme. Jackie Clarke's replacement, however, is yet to be found or announced but this morning we can announce to you a replacement for Paul Ellis has been found and the new judge is, shock horror, shock jock Iain Stables from ZM. Ian Stables, good morning.

Stables: Could they have picked anyone else worse for the job do you think?

Holmes: Probably not but I hope you're going to be very controversial and dark.

Stables: I think there is an expectation with the other Idols from around the world that there is a bit of a role that has to be played but I'm just gonna be completely honest. I mean, I don't know much about music to be honest. The whole thing is a bit of a gag really. I was talking to Frankie Stevens on our show last year and he asked why don't I come and do Idol. It was just a joke really. Then a couple of months later I was picking up the papers and apparently I was doing it.

Holmes: So you didn't formally apply?

Stables: Well, no. Not really. It was more of a throw away thing. It went from there and one thing went to another. I think with the whole judging thing, they're looking at different dynamics. Maybe they're looking for someone who is in a different part of the industry.

Holmes: Well, yes. After 14 years in commercial radio you get an idea of what works and what doesn't and who has got it and who hasn't. And that's what they want from you I suppose, isn't it?

Stables: Well, I can't think of anything else really. I think that's maybe what they're looking at. The good thing about it is that it's also a very good launching platform for New Zealanders. I've been an Idol supporter from day one and I think the other good thing about Idol is that whether you get through to the finals or you get in there and become the Idol or the runner up Idol, a couple of people have gone a long way off that program just by being noticed, their lives have been changed. If I can be a small part of that then I'm very happy to do that.

Holmes: You've got to go around the country and be part of that first elimination process

Stables: I'm looking forward to that. I think getting out amongst it from different parts of the country with people coming along with all kinds of exclusive little ideas and gimmicks and stuff, I love that kind of stuff. Raw and ready and new. And for the people who may have auditioned last year or the year before, we'll be looking for a few different things this year I think.

Holmes: You might have to deal with that ginga chick.

Stables: The Liz girl. The "crash and burn" girl. If I look at the last couple of Idols, there's probably two people who have used it and have capitalised on it. It would be Liz, who has managed to use Idol to become a bit of a household name for a few weeks. She's launched a career in the New Zealand light-porn industry and she went into the broadcast journalism school. She's used it in her own way. I'm not suggesting that's what you use it for. And then of course we have Michael Murphy who has gone on to some great things too.

Polly: I am in a huge dilema. I was kinda over NZ Idol but the thought of the new judge on NZ Idol has put a bit of a buzz in the groin if I have to be honest.

Grant: The guy with the glasses is gone. He's gone to do some work somewhere else right?

Polly: Yeah, the guy whose last name we could never remember.

Grant: So there's Frankie, and Jackie, and the new NZ Idol judge.

Polly: Who has put a spark back in my nether regions

Grant: Shall we let him introduce himself? Good morning new New Zealand Idol judge.

Stables: Good morning, and my name is Stables and until you start playing Ben Lummis and Rosita Vai 400 times a day, I have no comment to make.

Polly: What is going on?

Stables: I'm the worst person that could do this job. Let's face it. They're not going to put me on Te Karere are they? Considering I know absolutely nothing about music. I can't sing. I can't dance. I hate guitar. I mean, I'm terrible. And I'll be working at this stage with Frankie. I don't know who the third judge is yet or if there is one. There better be one. Who'd be the daddy if it were just me and Frankie judging?

Polly: I need to go through a few judging things with you coming from a former judging position on Sing like a Superstar (laughter) You can't swear. You understand that Stables?

Stables: I've managed to get through my entire career, Polly, you should know, without dropping anything on the air.

Polly: Yes. That's why I'm telling you this. Also, you can't sleep with any of the contestants.

Stables: Well what's the point? There are two ways to get through to the final. That's one way. That's also a good way to get into radio. The other way is to come and rock out a bit of Metallica or GnR for me and none of that soft soul RnB crap.

Polly: This is the only reason I will be watching New Zealand Idol because I have absolutely no idea what you're gonna do or say and it kind of scares me and fascinates me either.

Stables: I have no idea either. You've got to look at it as a bit of a platform. In my opinion, not that that matters a whole heap, there are a couple of people who have used Idol as a platform and have capitalised on it. It would be Liz, the "Crash and Burn" girl to start with. Everyone was making fun of her but she launched her career after that in the porn industry and then she went to journalism school. And then, look at Michael Murphy. The whole thing is that once you've done Idol, you've got to put the work in as well and I think globally, with the exception of only a couple, no one has put the work in at the end. It's not going to come to you on a magic corn cob. You've got to put the work in.

Polly: Stables, I don't mean to alarm you, but you're making sense.

Stables: OMG! Am I?! I promise, even if you're crap, if I like you, you'll probably go through.