According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox is working on a deal to order more episodes of American Idol — with or without judge Simon Cowell, whose contract expires at the end of 2010. (Cowell’s brother Tony announced on his podcast Tuesday that Simon plans to leave the show, possibly to focus on bringing his UK hit The X-Factor to the States.) Fox’s current contract with 19/Fremantle extends through 2011; the new deal would reportedly be for at least another three years. A rep for Fox had no comment.
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No Simon – no viewers….
No Simon, more viewers…
Uhhhh, no Tarc.
In fact, a recent poll out showed that nearly HALF of American Idol viewers would watch the show LESS without Simon
(and another little tidbit…only 5% of survey respondents like Kara LOL)
http: //tvbythenumbers.com/2009/12/22/nearly-half-of-american-idol-viewers-would-watch-show-less-if-simon-cowell-leaves/37035
Uhhh, No EWsMom.
Half of the viewers watching less does not mean no viewers. It means the ratings may decrease, but not necessarily by much. There is also no telling how many people who are put off by this jack-a** would start watching the show (like myself). Yeah, it’s possible the show’s ratings may dip, but it’s just as possible they would actually increase.
Which tells me they will bribe Simon with mucho amounts of money to keep him. They have to know without Simon; loss of viewers. As much as it’s a talent contest but it’s common knowledge if any judge can sway the public it’s Simon. So with Simon; the audience goes… So they will pile on the money to get Simon to stay… And are using this to get buzz for the new season…There are rumors after and before every season.
“Whatcha talkin’bout, Willis?”
No Simon, No show, period.
Idol is long overdue for a revamp. Aussie Idol is *vastly* better – they provide the contestants with lesssons, with mentors that really mentor, and have a judging panels of people that know what they are doing and understand what *constructive* criticism is. Their recent finale was better than everything American Idol has ever done – collectively.
I would love to see an idol without Simon and put in more of a an American Legendary Music Icon with good critique.
I’d still watch if they replaced him with someone good. But just Randy, Kara, Ellen, and Seacrest…no thanks. I love Ellen, but I can see her every day on her own show.
American Idol = Simon Cowell + Paula Abdul + Randy Jackson + Ryan Seacrest (and we can throw in Kara DioGuardi, too)
I think there are 11 different Idol shows from around the world, some of them much better than the US version, so no, the current cast does not – in any way – make it Idol.
Go get some air. Are you seriously going to reply to every. single. post. that shows disdain for the idea that American Idol without Simon won’t be entertaining? We get it: you think the show could do without him. You don’t need to keep saying it every second or third comment.
Lala you got it exactly right.
So… Ben Folds, how’s your schedule looking?
My thoughts exactly! Except that I still think Ellen DeGeneres (who I love on her talk show) will be a disaster this year, so we’ll see…
I think they will do in the US what they did in the UK. They will phase out (American) Idol and replace it with X Factor, on the same network. That way Fox still keeps Fox but they add a breath air by changing the format into the new show, X Factor.
I meant Fox still keeps Cowell.
Fox has to know that American Idol is starting to die away, replacing Paula with Ellen was a BAD mistake (everyone knows that) after moving the show to 9 o’clock to get it away from the powerhouse that is NCIS, going on without Simon would be pulling the trigger with the gun against their head. No Simon and the show will drop like a stone.
Can someone who knows explain what exactly is different, other than the name, about “X Factor?” Is it not the same concept as “Idol?” Is there more to it, like a swimsuit competition or something? I know nothing of this show, other than it’s also a singing competition, and I can’t see what the point is of having two of these shows around.
X factor starts out with city rounds of auditions like american idol. Then they have their version of a “hollywood round” where the contestants get cut down. Then they get put into categories, boys, girls, boys/girls over 25 and groups. Then each of those groups gets assigned to a judge. Then at each of those judges houses those groups do more “hollywood round” cuts until there have the final 3. Then the final 12 get brought in together for the live shows just like american idol where they sing on day one and get voted out on day 2. The judges they’re assigned to are their mentors and the competition is sort of for them too because their groups compete against eachother. Anyway, its much more entertaining then american idol however its a bit of a popularity contest with people voting for the person who have a certain judge.
Just get rid of that douchebag Kara and the Degenerate.
I don’t buy that Simon won’t be back. If he leaves, tries X-Factor out, and it fails, then what? He’s either going to let Idol run its course, then do X-Factor, or he’ll do them both. I also think it’s hilarious that people think that everybody watches for Simon. Last I checked, it was supposed to be about the singers, not Simon. I think the show could survive without him, though I still stand by what my first statement. He’s not going anywhere.
Since when does anyone care about the singers, really? Simon is the reason people watch the show.
Yes, thank you for repeating what I said. I care about the singers. I don’t watch for Simon at all. I might be one of the few who watches for the singing, but at least I get the whole idea of the show.