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.'

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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.

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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 >>

MATEI/SCOTT/bauergriffinonline.com

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

Vote down Vote up Report this

AI had a successful formula of three Judges each contributing to the recipe Well, they added another ingredient, Kara, which really soured the mix, removed Paula an integral part of the mix, and now some guest ingredients and destroying the original Formula. 10 Thumbs Down!

By Phantom

Simon get's 45 randy get's ? paula get's jack and no job will pay her 10 after 'Idol' so she is the dammm one

By Geordi

Simon Cowell isn't worth 4.5 chihuahuas.

By CLETUS

SIMION ISN,T WORTH 45 MILLION WHEN IS COMING OUT OFF CLOSET.HE IS A BRISH FAG

By Paul Roscoe

After watching every season of American Idol, I will no longer watch this program anymore. Without Paula's presence, American Idol will descend into a stinking cesspool of insults punctuated by sporadic emmanations of wisdom

By CL SmooV

......way to go Paula. They were trying to rob you. The show will never be the same without ya. trust.....chances are they ask you back after a season or two, just make sure you say no. i feel this is a sexist issue, and you are doing the right thing. your investment to this show over the years is worth way more than 4 mil.

By franksdream

I WOULDN'T GIVE THIS LOW LIFE BASTARD 45 DOLLARS A WEEK. HE SUCKS

By jx

I like paula...so what she is loopy..it makes the show fun. after a few weeks the show kind of loses steam as they go from 32-16...I don't like the new judge. I don't know why but I don't. It's somehow like they pre-tested her before they got rid of Paula. Who is next Randy? After looking at the pictures of the AI crew during the last season with the classic lineup I find it quite dislodging to see the new pictures without Paula. It's like the Beatles without Ringo. I was getting bored with the show but this will really change things...

By darleene

without simon american idol is not funny,he may not be worth 45 million but he's funny.laugher is great.

By All-Done-With-It !

I had a feeling since last Idol's season, a 4th judge? c'mon! No wonder, its the soft he-ho and your OUT!.
Too bad for Paula,
but now i WONT WATCH THE SHOW ANYMORE. AT ALL! EVEN THOU I LOVE RYAN S.

By ps7603

I think Paula will be luck to find any work ... she should have beged them to keep her old job at whatever salary they were paying her. Dumb dame!

By AWE

Tivo is the only reason I can watch American Idol --- I fast forward right through Paula's drug-induced rambling waste of air time to get to the only judge who has anything to say that's actually worth hearing...and that's Simon. The real tragedy will be if other good shows like DWTS or SYTYCD ruin the integrity of their judging panels by adding vapid, vacuous, vacant Paula. How anyone can't see through Paula's vainglorious posing as the self promotion as America's nice girl (gag) that it is is beyond me. She's a poseur. He's the real deal.

By Tim

Paula should of been given the pay raise. They will soon realize that Simon isn't as worth 1/10th of the money they are paying him. Come on Fox, you should of paid her what she was asking and took it from what were paying Simon. You Simon if you really wanted to keep her then give her half of what your getting.

By Janice

I love Simon and his comments, but do not believe any of them are worth $45 million a yr. I will miss Paula and her rambling, she just has such a big heart and cannot seem to critize any of them the way Simon can. Randy is ok. I do not like the new lady, can't remember her name, but she just doesn't seem to fit. Maybe she will grow on me.

By diplobrat

It's ridiculous. The money thing, I mean. Athletes, actors, entertainers- all exhorbitantly paid circus clowns. However, it's a vicious cycle: The products are promoted for far in excess of their worth. The net gain of advertising vs. revenue is likely seriously deficient. But are you gonna stop watching? Do something more...enlightening? Didn't think so. P.S. Wipe the CHEETO dust off your face, fatass!

By Wanda

NONE of them are worth the money they're paid. My opinion is based on what I like. I do not care what the judges say about someone OR who does nothing but introduce them!

Saturday 15 August

By patty

I understand that paula waould be getting a lot less than simon...but i can hardly feel sorry for any of them....who...in this economy would turn down $10million a year...sooo many people have lost jobs and are homeless...I think they are all overpaid even though i love the show.

By denise

We have a group that would meet at each others home every week on elimination night, and have been doing so for years. That's seven of us and when the husbands and kids are all there it can be up to 20 of us. Well we've come to a decision that we're not watching any longer without Paula! How rotten FOX is to have been so low and rude. We hope they just go away!!!!!!!! Bye Bye!!!!

By Jenny

It's sexist, period. It started with the 3 of them and then then brought in the new one. Now Paula is out? I don't even like her that much but it is the principle of it all. I'm done with the show. Peace Out!

By KG

It's not fair to compare Simon Cowell to what Paula's asking to receive in salary. Simon introduced, produced and signs the contracts for the contestants. Simon Cowell is the show! Paula was introduced as a judge and should've been humble and grateful to have had her job this long, as she truly is a disgrace to professional, intelligent women, her incoherent rants, and her oozing over the young male contestants, is disturbing and disgusting. No one is questioning what Randy is making.
Simon is now making $9 million per year, and is asked to come back for the next three years at $15 million per year, totalling $45 million per three years. Paula has no right to ask for $10 million per year, for three years. She's a judge, nothing more, nor efficient enough, nor qualified enough to be kept this long on this show. She wants not only the money, but for them to pick up first class travel expenses, for her hair, make up and clothing. Her immaturity and greed are her downfall. Please, enough now, let her stay behind the scenes trying to sell her gawdy jewelry on QVC/HSN...
DWTS have sophisticated, honest and intelligent judges, Paula hasn't enough coherent critiques, nor does she have what it takes to critique ballroom dancing. SYTYCD, was I believe why she was leaving AI, and when they did see her choreography, that went out the window, as was her inept choreographing the contestants on AI, and her own routine in song and dance, were all so not original or eyecatching, they were utterly inept and forgettable! That is my intellectual opinion, and I personally, had enough of Paula on Idol, that I truly don't want her on other shows that I have enjoyed over the years! Too bad, we were forced to tolerate her on Idol, but enough now!

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