'Idol' Is Downsizing Simon Cowell

By Rob Shuter Posted Jan 7th 2010 02:00AM

With Simon Cowell on the brink of ditching 'American Idol' to take the throne of 'X-Factor,' insiders tell me that executives have figured out a way to ease him out of the conversation this year -- focus on Ellen. Brilliant! Nice is the new mean in 2010, and unlike Simon, you know we're always more nice than naughty. After the jump, more details on Simon's shrinking 'Idol' role, plus George Stephanopoulos scoop and a huge thank you -- because 'Naughty But Nice' is the biggest entertainment column on the Internet. Seriously!

'Idol' Is Downsizing Simon

Sources tell me that producers of 'American Idol' have a plan on how to make sure the show survives if Mr. Simon Cowell does in fact leave at the end of this upcoming season.

"Expect to see less and less of Simon this season. The focus is going to be back on the contestants and less on Simon's harsh criticisms of them," an insider tells me. "They also will be spending more time focusing on Ellen once she gets through her first few weeks live from Hollywood."

That might not be such a bad idea. Watching millionaires make fun of kids' appearances and laughing when they leave the room feels is so last century to me. After all, many shows have not only survived hosts leaving -- they have thrived. (Katie Couric, anyone?)

FOX, never one to beat around the bush, tells me: "FOX has no comment."

The brilliant Adam Hanft, CEO of marketing firm Hanft Projects, agrees. "Ideas outlast their hosts. It was and is true for the 'Tonight Show' and 'The Today Show' and it's proved true for '60 Minutes.'

So while we're being all warm and fuzzy, can I suggest Donny Osmond?

George Stephanopoulos Gets His Throne

You read it here first that the fabulous George Stephanopoulos was joining the gang at 'Good Morning America' family, and now I can report that the adorable height-challenged Greek is making the set his own.

"The biggest challenge for the crew when George arrived was finding the perfect height for his chair. Co-host Robin Roberts is so much taller than him that she towered over him even sitting down," a friend tells me. But fear not! George will be sitting high thanks to a chair ordered from the Staples catalog.

George, the lovable and gracious chap that he is, actually responded directly to me, joking: "I would have been happy with phone books, but I'm glad they found a solution."

Great things come in small packages. Kisses, George!

5 Columns, 4 Million Views -- THANK YOU! We are Number 1

Thanks to you, 'Naughty But Nice' is now the number 1 entertainment column online, my boss Jason in the tie tells me. We've logged 4 million pageviews in one week of columns. That, my friends, is absurd! Let's all pop some bubbly together!

Who would have thought that little old me would number 1 at anything? Certainly not my mother, or my piano teacher, Mr. Biggins. How do you like them chopsticks!

Big shout out 'The Diane Sawyer of Entertainment TV' Lara Spencer and DJ Petroro at 'The Insider' for always having me on. If you're not watching, you must -- you're going to love all that news with those opposing views!

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Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, ellen degeneres, EllenDegeneres, simon cowell, SimonCowell

Comments

(272)

Thursday 07 January

By morethanenough

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no more idol for me, not as long as ellen is on....

By Jane

DITTO !!!

Friday 08 January

By Fed Up

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Ellen gets on a last nerve. I can only hope they don't let her dance.

By basbleu

Who is Ellen?

By Emily1984

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I felt the same way you do at one time. One day I watched her show and couldn't help but love her. I think she will add a touch of "real person" to the show. She doesn't seem the least bit stuck up like Simon. I do love Simon, though.

By labrada dunham

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I feel American Idol is great and it has brought many minds together.
I also think Donny Osmond would make a very good judge.

By Wish Belkin

The show stinks on ice, requardless of who is on it.

By M SWIFT

PAULA AND SIMON MAKE IDOL FUN TO WATCH. KARA IS DULL.
ELLEN IS GOOD FOR HER SHOW, BUT DOES NOT FIT IN IDOL,,
I WOULD THING DONNY OSMOND WOULD BE GREAT, HE HAS IT ALL.
IF PAULA & SIMON BOTH GO, I WOULD NOT WATCH IDOL ANY MORE.
THEY MADE IT A HIT

By bill

Why? Are you a gay-hating Christian? Stupid.

By gmc

no more for me to

By Goodbye

I do like Ellen but she can't replace Simon. The show needs Simon or a Simon clone to speak the truth that all America is thinking. Simon speaks the side of us that we would all like to say. Simon may be a little too frank at times but he is usually dead on the mark. As many are saying it is time for AI to fade away. If Cris could win last year over Adam it is time for a spike to be driven into the heart of AI. They just played Cris' new song on the radio and it is so trite It is a cute little ditty with no substance or style unlike Adam or Alison can do. Watching Cris versus Adam or Alison is like displaying the winner of a third grade finger painting next to a Monet.

By ken k

i agree, isnt this show about judging music & talent? what are ellen's credentials? when simon leaves the ratings will drop like the Hindenburg...

By Sharon

I'm with you. The show may be able to stand losing Simon, but I won't watch Ellen...

By maser

right on, she is hard to watch

By James

Most women have a gay streak, that's why ellen is popular with them. Ellen will lick it for you.

By Dave DAVIS

NO MORE IDOL AS LONG AS "THE DEGENERATE" IS A JUDGE!!!!!!!!!

By DeAnna

Same for me... No idol as long as Ellen is on there. Besides, what does she know about singing talents?

By MrsBwwjd

Me either! I used to watch Ellen until she started promoting the gay agenda!

By Leslie

We will miss you lol

By Marsha

I said the same thing, however I'll give her a couple of looks to see how I like her before I stop watching. Now if Simon leaves, that quite another story. He's half the reason why I watch the show...you know for the reality. A lot of these people need a reality check and he tells it like it is and it makes for more interesting TV.

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