Simon Cowell: Ryan Seacrest "Popping Champagne Bottles" Over My Exit
Credit: Kevin Parry/WireImage.com
Simon Cowell jokes that host Ryan Seacrest probably isn't too choked up after his shocking announcement Monday that he is leaving American Idol after this season.
Though Seacrest -- known for quarreling with Cowell on the show -- sent him a congratulatory message, Cowell tells Extra (in his first interview since his exit announcement): "I heard a lot of popping champagne bottles. There will be a fireworks display outside his house tonight."
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Cowell said he thought about juggling both Idol and the American version of his British hit music show, The X Factor, but decided it would be best to "concentrate on one main show." The X Factor will air on Fox in 2011.
Leaving Idol - which he helped launch in 2002 - is "emotional," he tells Extra. "It did feel a little bit emotional when I [made the announcement] because then it's real... and then you remember all the good times you had."
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On her talk show Tuesday, new judge Ellen DeGeneres says she is "trying not to take it personally." Joking, she added, "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."
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Judge Kara DioGuardi says she was "the last person to know" about Cowell's exit. "He is so important to the show," she said on 104.3 MY FM's Valentine in the Morning show in Los Angeles Monday. "He will be missed."
Tell Us What You Think
18i like simon but i can't stand kara. american idol is doooomed!
I am so sorry to see Simon Cowell go. Until Kara showed up, he was the only judge to tell it like it was. He didn't sugar coat it and try to give them false hope like Paula. He is the one person that I will miss. Congrats to him on his new show. I wish him well.
im not going to watch it, paula, simon and ryan made that show. now it sucks. i will watch this years auditions and that is it. i wont watch the rest of the season! im going to watch x-factor next yearrrr! i hate kara and neither ellen nor kara are fit judges for american idol. GO SIMON AND PAULA!!!
Bette Midler would be awesome!
does this mean this boring, overrated show will finally go away???...she asks hopefully :)
Put Bette Midler on the show!!!
With Simon leaving, the show will be a BUST in 2011, even with my favorite person in the world, Ellen. He has a gifted ear for talent, so with him gone, who knows what kind of "talent" will make it thru the auditions.... I am sick to hear this... I will miss you Simon...You are genius, not rude. You know what you like and don't like. Missing you already! Jan
Agree. the show is done
First Paula, now Simon. To me the show was different without Paula. Now it's going to be worse without Simon. And even though Ellen is funny and engaging, I think she suits her talk show, but not a singing competition show. And her saying she's nice and Simon is sometimes nasty was not nice. Even though Simon was rude sometimes, whatever he said still made the show interesting. I think it's the end of American Idol.
Everyone knows Ryan and Simon love each other! I wonder who will replace Simon? Will the show be able to recover from losing him? I mean, we can ALL do without Paula's botox/crack c*cktail induced slurring rambles, but Simon was the (often cruel) voice of reason!
OMG First Paula Now Simon. I will greatly Miss you so much. You two made the show what it is. Exciting and fun. It seemed as Everyone hated Simmon because he alawys told the truth. is the last straw that broke the camels back. when he leaves I leave. Take Care Simon. I will see you tonight on American Idol tonight that is. lol
Exactly Ave. tell me what does a comedian know about tallent? And dragging Kara in was bad enough, Paula left and now Simon, cancel the show. It won't be worth watching.
Well If Simon Leaves they might as well cancel the show. It will be awful. I won't watch it any more. They need to go ahead and can Kara!!!
American Idol will definitely be over when Simon leaves! It's bad enough Paula is gone! They ruined everything by making a comedian a judge. Stupid decision!
Losing Simon and gaining Ellen will change the while tenor of the show. Ellen may be funny at times and I love to dance, too, but at least I'll admit I know nothing about how to spot future talent the way Simon does (even though he is immensely rude and hurthful at times). Bring Paula back and stop being so cheap and just pay her what she deserves already....she was the perfect alter-ego to Simon.
Idol is officially done. Well, it was a good run. American Idol 2002-2010 R.I.P
Ellen said if Simon Goes she goes... Maybe they need to get me on the show so the singers get some real advice oh how to sing and perform, not just bad judgement.
IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME IF SIMON IS NOT ON AMERICAN IDOL.. I WILL NOT WATCH ANYMORE IF THAT HAPPEN. PLEASE DONT GO SIMON. THEY MIGHT AS WILL TAKE IT OFF. FIRST PAULA NOW SIMON.