Simon Cowell says he's leaving 'Idol'


4:17 p.m. EST, January 11, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size

PASADENA, Calif. - Simon Cowell, the acerbic Brit who has helped give "American Idol" some of its sharpest -- and nastiest -- moments, will leave the popular singing show after this season.

The cantankerous judge said that "The X Factor," a show he created and is a hit in Britain, will join Fox's schedule next year. Cowell will be on "The X Factor."

Cowell's decision is the biggest threat yet to what has been the country's most popular TV program and a true cultural force. This season, original host Paula Abdul has been replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

But Cowell, with his caustic commentary, has long been seen as the big star of "Idol."

He said it would have been difficult for him to do both shows. While he makes a reported $36 million a year to be on "American Idol," he owns "The X Factor" and could make much more if the show takes off.

Cowell and top Fox executives made the announcement to reporters in Pasadena at a meeting of the Television Critics Association, saying they had reached an agreement only a few hours before.

"I was offered a lot of money to stay on," Cowell said. "But that wasn't the reason behind it. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge."

Peter Price, chairman of the Fox Broadcasting Co., would not speculate on possible replacements for Cowell.

"We have to take our time on that," Price said. "We have to make sure the chemistry of the judges is as good as it can be."

Cowell said he didn't want to leave "American Idol" at a time when it was fading in the ratings.

"You want to leave on a high," he said. "I'm very proud of what the show has achieved."

___

AP Television Writer David Bauder contributed to this report.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

E-mail Print Digg Twitter Facebook StumbleUpon Share
COMMENTS (0) | Add Comment

I was under the impression that this was the last season of A.I. anyway.

36 fucking million dollars a year??!!!????

Ridiculous. This world is RIDICULOUS! I quit.

I used to think he was mean, till I came to the org.
Im sure there is plenty of critics here who could take his place.

36 million? I'm first in line.

The X-Factor is a much better format than the Idol shows.

There's a greater range of ages, and then you can have groups as well as soloists too.

Fury said:

really?

NDRU said:

.....and she brings NOTHING 2 that show. At least not 2 me.

Graycap23 said:

at least paula had sang on some hits, but her credentials were always in question. What has Ellen done in music?

NDRU said:

Corny ass jokes.

I find the whole show a complete joke, but I'll miss batshit crazy paula. She was the only reason to tune in.

Graycap23 said:

exactly, she belongs on a show that is ruining the stand up comedy industry!

TV Guide just did an article on how, even if AI loses 10 percent of its audience over this, it'll still be a huge show. Still, Simon was probably the only one on the show with any real ability to critique the contestants. But since the show has been declining in ratings overall, and it's getting a little long in the tooth anyway, it seems like a very smart move to jump ship to a new show that offers him a chance to earn more money.

Efan said:

exactly, he'll be associated with its glory years, and not sink with the ship--just like Brian Dunkleman!

Graycap23 said:

Yes. He has made it known he was planning on leaving due to other projects.

Same story, different year.

mostbeautifulboy said:

!!!!

LOS ANGELES — Simon Cowell confirmed speculation that has been going on for months: X Factor, the British talent series he produces, will come to Fox in fall 2011. The deal was reached at 11:30 a.m. PT today.
Cowell signed the agreement on stage before TV critics here, then announced he would appear as a judge — and "because of that, this will be my last season on American Idol," Cowell says. "I don't think it was right to do two shows in America."


'IDOL' CHATTER: Discuss the big news in our blog

X Factor is a huge hit in the U.K., launching the career of singer Leona Lewis, and has since expanded to 17 countries. Like Idol, it has performance and results shows.

But in some ways it's different from Idol: "The auditions are done live, and they have to sing to a backup track," Cowell says. "The age range can go to 14 and likely go younger than that. There is no age limit. You could literally be 100 years old. Singing groups are eligible. And the biggest difference is that judges mentor groups (of contestants), so (they) are responsible for everything that happens. So essentially the judge is as responsible as the singer."

Will one of those judges be Paula Abdul? "I adore Paula. Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity," he says.

Idol producer 19 Entertainment sued Cowell in 2005, claiming X Factor copied Idol's format, but the suit was later settled and Cowell extended his Idol contract, which had prevented him from bringing the new show to U.S. television. Cowell also produces NBC's America's Got Talent.

How will it affect Idol? Cowell says he wants to leave Idol in a stronger position than it was last year, with Ellen DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul as a judge. "I never would have wanted to walk out when the show is No. 21 in the ratings; you want to leave on a high."

But Cowell is considered crucial to Idol's success.

"Simon is irreplaceable, but it's incumbent on us to make Idol vibrant and entertaining," says Fox entertainment chairman Peter Rice. Other Fox execs privately say they hope he'll agree to appear on Idol next season in some capacity before X Factor's launch.

So this is the last year of American Idol then

minneapolisgenius said:

i know, and he probably wanted more. i haven't watched AI in years anyways it's gone downhill in the last couple of years

kpowers said:

As you know it.

GirlBrother said:

OMG, I hate the x-factor.

It had a bunch of uber-beautiful men on it who cried too much from what I can remember. It was very, very annoying.

But I've never watched American idol so I don't have anything to compare it to.

Good. Now maybe that stupid show will finally go off the air. It's gotten to where you can't even turn on the TV without having that shit being everywhere from the TV Guide Network, to the "Today" show, to "Larry King Live".

vainandy said:

It really should have left the airwaves 2 years ago. Once they brought in a 4th judge, it was over. And now Paula's gone, Ellen is somewhere in there, and Simon is leaving. These fucking talent shows are a dead medium. When it go to the next great dog groomer, I knew it was officially over.

ernestsewell said:

You have to treat these things as they are. Entertainment. They are not the saviours of music or art. They are light entertainment shows. And very popular.

If you don't like them, watch something else.

i always preferred Eurovision anyroad...

whistle said:

Graycap23 said:

I'll actually probably turn it on again for at least an episode or two and I haven't watched it for years.

I like Ellen.

whistle said:

minneapolisgenius said: