I think I’m the only person around who doesn’t care about American Idol in the least. I’ve never sat down and watched a complete episode, I’ve never voted for the people, and I barely care about the careers that were made on AI. But one thing I do enjoy is talking about the money, and the money situation at AI is very interesting. Anyway, long story short: after more than a year of whining and leaving cryptic hints about how unhappy he was, Simon Cowell has decided that this season of AI (starting tonight) will be his last. One theory: Simon is secretly in love with Paula Abdul, and his heart couldn’t go on without her. Second theory: it’s all about the money.
Simon, out!
Simon Cowell — the tart-tongued British music executive who debuted the cultural phenomenon known as American Idol in 2002 — has announced that he is leaving the hit Fox show when his contract ends after the 2010 season.
He will judge and produce an American version of his British hit music show, The X Factor, on Fox in Fall 2011.
“Because of that this will be my last season on American Idol,” he announced Monday at Fox’s Winter Television Critics’ Association press event at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, Calif.
“I felt like doing something different,” he explained. “I want to leave Idol this year bigger and better than it’s been before.”
As for rumors that former Idol judge Paula Abdul could serve as a judge on The X Factor, he said: “I adore Paula. Whatever happens with her, I will be working with her in some capacity because I miss her.”
Rumors of Cowell, 50, exiting have been floating for weeks.
Late last year, his brother Tony said on his weekly podcast The Cowell Factor that “a press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everybody expected: Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of The X Factor to U.S. TV in 2011.”
Cowell was mum when new judge Ellen DeGeneres asked about his rumored departure in a recent Entertainment Weekly interview. “If Simon goes, I go!” she said. Cowell laughed and squirmed when she said that before adding: “Oh, Ellen! … That’s quite a tricky situation you’ve put me into! I think right now we have to concentrate on the next season and just get through that and worry about everything else afterwards.”
Last September, it was announced that DeGeneres would take a permanent seat on the judging panel after Abdul quit. The show’s host Ryan Seacrest also renewed his contract for the next three seasons. Last season’s new addition, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson are under contract until the end of the current season.
Last year, Cowell was the top earning man on prime-time U.S. Television, according to Forbes, earning an $75 million last year.
[From Us Weekly]
So, is this the death of Idol? Can it go on with Simon? Maybe. But probably not. My prediction is that the ratings will get worse and worse this season, AI will return next year, and then next season (the first non-Cowell season) will be the last. Though I can’t find an online article for this, I saw on the Today Show this morning that Fox was offering Cowell more than $100 million to stay on Idol, and begin The X Factor America. Simon walked away, claiming that he wanted the “challenge” of starting The X Factor by himself, which I kind of admire.
Paula Abdul’s replacement Ellen DeGeneres quipped about Simon’s move on a show airing today. Ellen said: “He announced he’s leaving on my first day. I’m trying not to take it personally. But seriously, I am going to be very, very sad to see him go, because I think he’s made the show what it is. He’s a huge part of that show but he wanted a change. I wish him all the luck in the world hosting The Tonight Show.” Chuckle… that’s actually not the worst idea!
Simon Cowell leaving ‘The X Factor’ studios in London on December 13, 2009. Credit: WENN.
I wish someone would offer Fox an insane amount of money to keep Idol off of tv.
Hate that show and all the hysteria and hype around it.
I last watched that show the year Kelly Clarkson won.
Simon is the neccessary thread that holds the show together. I think he’s irreplaceable.
He knows the business, he recognizes talent, he’s pretty much a truthteller, and he’s a giant sh*thead, refusing to succumb to the overblown praise other judges typically bestow on mediocre talents.
The show can’t survive without him.
Simon pls stay…i will feel sad if u go…LMAO
I totally agree with Tess. He’s the only one who knows what he’s talking about.
LOVE LOVE LOVE American Idol. It’s my guilty pleasure.
I’ll try watching if Simon leaves, but it remains to be seen if the show can go on without him. A huge factor will be who they get to replace him.
I’ve watched a couple of seasons but stopped years ago. I agree that Simon is the only one who knows what he’s talking about, and the only one the audience wants to pay attention to. Without him, the show is going to tank.
I’m sort of sure that there’s a plethora of snotty, critical British men who can take over Simon’s job belittling people. Isn’t there one on that America’s Got Talent thing? Piers someting or other.
But yeah, he’s the only one I watch the audition shows for. He does know his stuff and isn’t afraid to say when someone sucks.
I just realized AI starts tonight. I would have been sad to miss the first show! Simon needs to stay.
I will never understand what is it about Simon Cowell that people like. He is just an arrogant, rude, bitchy, uneducated wanker who used his father’s contacts in the music industry, to build a career on exploiting One Hit wonders.
He doesn’t know anything about music (he didn’t even finish school) and is utterly insufferable as an individual.
Also, he has left FOX probably because he wants to monopolize ‘The X Factor’ franchise, which will indubitably provide him with greater profits than if he had to strike a deal based on a pre-existing contract.
However, America should be overjoyed, because the chavtastic Cheryl Cole is going their way! By the way: Afro-Americans, beware! Don’t approach her when she’s drunk, or else you’ll end up in hospital after receiving a plethora of racial epithets and several punches. Classy gal, our Cheryl.
I have no interest in watching a show where crappy, boring singers are told how awesome they are all day long. Ergo, without Simon there would be no reason to tune in.
I prefer the idea that he’s in love with Paula but I heard it had less to do with direct payment of money as “on air talent” and more about his owning a piece of the Xfactor pie- he has a vested interest in making Xfactor work, and take over Idol’s reign.
Sadly, that makes the most sense. I wonder if Ellen is pissed, tho’.
pontneuf- I like Simon because he is smart, usually dead on correct in his assessments, and frankly I dont find him to be terribly mean.
He’s a helluva lot nicer than what these people would otherwise get if they were trying to break into the business by traditional means.
the show is nothing without simon. the producers are very stupid paying idiot ryan so much and paula so little. I don’t blame her for leaving and I admire Simon for leaving.
ryan is the worst part of that show, always unable to stand him, and he seems to think it is his show, well with good reason the amount of money he gets for it!
on a side note, Victoria looked so aweful last night I just wanted to scrub her down she looked so dirty and sticky the gloppy makeup and stiff nasty grandma hair, wow I think she probably would have looked better freshly showered and clean sans makeup hairspray fake orange tan spray and lord knows whatelse. Poor David B.