Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol
Credit: Dave Benett/Getty Images
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."
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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."
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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."
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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.
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Last year, Cowell was the top earning man on prime-time U.S. Television, according to Forbes, earning an $75 million last year.
Tell Us What You Think
47I think so because I do not think there will be an American Idol much longer. By the way I found a website that give you prizes for your opinions,here is the topic about this Tv Show> http://opinion.ezwingame.kom/topics/will-simon-cowell-leave-american-idol-next-season
There won't be any use in tuning in to AI after Simon has departed. It won't be the same without him. He makes the show and is irreplaceable! I wish him all the best with his new endeavor.
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A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
Now Paula AND Simon are leaving.I think the ratings of the show will sink rapidly if this happens.I'll still watch it though.
Simon is a softy! I know he is...
A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
I hope he stays, he's half the reason I watched it.
i wouldn't be surprised if simon changed his mind & decided to stay after all.
Simon has asked Paula to be on the X-Factor show!!
bye bye Simon!
And Paula is so smart to quit ahead of all this. I don't blame her if she got pissed Seacrest getting 15 and she's getting 3-4 mills.
Actually, I am getting bored with AI. It's just for entertainment and recent winners does not seem to make any impact in the industry (oh so high after carrie and Daughtry). And why would Simon make money for Simon Fuller if he has the chance everything goes into his pocket. If they allow groups/bands with X-factor, that would be great. Time to move on and just shut down the AI franchise.
A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
A GIRL DIED IN 1993, A MAN BURIED HER IN HER OWN home when she was still alive. The murderer chanted, "Toma sota balcu" as he buried her. Now that you have read the chant, you will meet this little girl. In the middle of the night she will stand at the side of your bed starring straight int your eyes. She will suffocate you like she was suffocated. This story is sadly true. If you post this 5 differnt times she will not bother you
the show will now officially go downhill after this.
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