Simon Cowell Is Worth 4.5 Paulas

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 12th 2009 10:12AM

Now we know why 'American Idol' producers were playing frugal when it came to Paula Abdul ... they were saving that cash bundle for their star judge. Simon Cowell is finalizing a deal with FOX to keep those ascerbic comments coming through 2011, and his payout is reported to be a gigantic $45 million a year -- up from $36 million under his current contract. Paula Abdul reportedly wanted a measly $10 million a year.

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Simon Equals ...

Now that he's banking $45 million a year from 'Idol,' Simon Cowell gets one of the biggest checks we know of. That's 1.6 Angelina Jolies! ... financially speaking, of course. See How He Stacks Up Against Other Superstars >>

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Simons Salary

At $45 million a year, Simon Cowell = 1.6 Alex Rodriguezes, who makes $28 million per year.

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At $45 million a year, Simon Cowell = 2.3 Charlie Sheen, who banks $19 million per year from 'Two and a Half Men.'

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At $45 million a year, Simon Cowell = 3 full Katie Courics, who earns $15 million per year as the anchor for 'CBS Evening News.'

WireImage / AP

At $45 million a year, Simon Cowell = 1.6 Angelina Jolies, who pulled in $27 million in 2008.

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At $45 million a year, Simon Cowell = 4.5 Paula Abduls, who reportedly wanted $10 million per year to stay on 'American Idol.'

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At $45 million a year, Simon Cowell = 112.5 Barack Obamas, who gets paid $400,000 to be the President of the United States.

WireImage / AP

Robert Sillerman, head honcho at CKX, the parent company of 'Idol'-producing 19 Entertainment, told the Hollywood Reporter on Monday that "obviously" they green lit FOX's efforts to secure Cowell.

"We've heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on 'Idol,'" Sillerman said.

"They, in their negotiations with Cowell, have asked us to pre-approve him not only for 'American Idol' '09, which has begun taping, but they have also asked us for approval for '10 and '11, indicating to us that they're finishing their negotiation with Cowell. We did grant approval for that quite obviously."

FOX and Cowell have not commented on the deal or the reported amount. His current contract runs out after the current season.

Fans of the show will likely be pleased to hear Cowell will be sticking around for a few more years, and may not care much about how much he receives (everyone agrees he deserves big bucks).

But one person who might be bristling at the news is Cowell's former colleague, Paula Abdul, who left the show last week after negotiations for a pay raise fell through. Sources say Abdul was itching for a $6 million pay raise -- from $4 to $10 million a year.

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'Idol' Judges Hit the Town

Take a look at the 'American Idol' judges and host Ryan Seacrest out on the town. More pics >>

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Idol' Host and Judges

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Paula Abdul arrives at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and is greeted by fans despite the recent announcement that the former pop star and choreographer will not be returning as a judge for "American Idol" after eight seasons. Abdul also seems to stay in good spirits while an airport cop tickets her driver despite her efforts to dissuade him. NON-EXCLUSIVE August 7, 2009 Job: 90807X8 Burbank, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

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Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, simon cowell, SimonCowell

Comments

(102)

Wednesday 12 August

By Bev

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AI should be cancelled. I'm sure the ratings will drop and Paula is getting a lot of good offers. I'm sure she's invested her money. Change is good for any one. I think the biggest change will be AI's Ratings. No Adam, NO Paula, NO THANKS !

By UncleD

Do it the good old fashioned American way. Watch the first show without Paula, make a list of the product sponsors...then boycott thier products and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. No sponsors, no more American Idol and no more ridiculous multi-million dollar contracts.

By t

Paula makes no sense there... as soon as she start talking I mute my tv.

Thursday 13 August

By jordan

BOYCOTT AMERICAN IDOL. it's just full of crappy singers and cheesy crap anyways. If they can spend 45 million to have him sit in a chair and say the same things over and over again, then they should pay me 10,000 dollars to do it and donate the other 44,990,000 dollars to charity and organizations that really need it. this is pure bullsh.it

By Alex

Michael Jackson's terrible secret revealed! Video here: http://cli.gs/0mV5r5

By grace

I think that since American Idol is the top grossing show on tv, $10 million for Paula is peanuts. I think they may not have wanted her back and perhaps that's the reason they brought in Kara. In any event, I certainly wouldn't be surprised if Paula shows up when the show finally airs.

By Bev Coffmon

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I for one certainly hope Paula comes back because that Kara is UGH!!! Does anyone really like her?? Doubt it. Their ratings will definitely drop A LOT if Kara's there again...she was worthless as a judge..they need Paula. A lot of people will stop watching Idol if they keep up this charade. Like it's been said, "IF IT'S NOT BROKE,DON'T FIX IT"...in other words, Randy, Paula and Simon is all we need!!!!!!!

By Janeisha

Simon Cowell is not worth no $45 million iif he was so nice he would give miss abdul some of his money so she can stay if he miss her soo much,but i guess he said this is my money deal wit wata jerk

By John Doe

Maybe if he were an uneducated brutha from da ghetto playing ball... then you would think he deserved all that money.

By Ibe American

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

When the chatter about the show is more about the judges than the talent, the end should be near. Tell me more about the top three or four from each season, not the self promoting ego hogs!

By lauren

Where have you been. The show has always been about the judges... namely Simon and Paula so where they get the idea Simon is worth 45 and Paula is not worth 10 is beyond me. They will be sorry

By robert

This immoral piece of crap get's all that money for the same reason those other 2 loser's Jon & Kate do---because of all these morons that have no life watch them.

By ginny

And you have a life replying to these posts?

By GUNNER36

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Puala will be missed,Simon's salary is outrages much like he is. Ryan seacrest's salary is even more outrages. makes one wonder if Ryan And simon are boyfriend and boyfriends

It's spelled outrageous and who cares if they are boyfriend and boyfriend. As long as Paula comes back Ryan and Simon could hump on the desk and I wouldn't care

By rickahight

Typical responses. More to do with not liking Cowell than what he makes. No one screams about the trasy actors and actresses making 20 or 30 million a movie plus a %. At least Cowell doesn't prance around with an arrogant, pompous, self serving attitude like most idiotwood entertainers.

They are all over paid so get over it. If a majority did not watch AI it would go off the air so as long as millions keep watching you will see it every year.

And by the way it will continue to be American Idol not the judges idol. Had the judges not been so overboard with Adam he might have won.

By Jon

You're kidding me, right? Cowell is THE standard bearer of that old British sniping insult hurler. Something Yanks supposed to hate about Mother Britain, but ditching the "Understanding and respectful" Paula for the insult hurling Briton shows America isn't all that different after all than her mother. We still love to beat up on people's feelings to make ourselves feel good.

By Mick

45 million bucks just to act like obnoxious stuffed shirt Tony Hatch clone? Where do I sign up?

By BonBon

Picture doesn't look the same without Paula, I see a steadily decline now since they screwed over Paula, shame on Idol, Simon Cowell and the producers. Seacrest isn't worth more than Paula. Thanks for shoving Kara on us another year, couldn't stand her.

By Tom

Paula was entertaining but WOW was she out there! If the show was not making the money than they could not pay these huge salaries. I for one could care less about what other prople make. I care what I make. This is a business, unlike Obamanites, it is none of my business. If you don't like the show don't watch. There will be another 10 million to take your place.

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Simon Cowell Is Worth 4.5 Paulas

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