'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 Z

Vote down Vote up Report this

no more idol for me too, not as long as ellen is on. Ellen sucks!!!

By Judy

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree... no Simon... no idol... Ellen has no business being on there... they are going to ruin it!

By Masenko

look, bill. I am not a christian but its clear that they don't "Hate" gays. they hate "Homosexuality" not the "Homosexual". its just like people against smoking. they hate the smoking, not the smoker. i don't know much about the bible or anything but i've gone to church once or twice and they made it clear God loves everyone, regardless of what they do.

By Daimao

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

did you see ellen on so you think you can dance? she said everyone was great and made dumb jokes the entire time. (Including the ones that sucked) things like "Are you a carpender, because you nailed it!" if she's going to say everyone was great even when they weren't i'll probably skip it.

By Geo

"Fabulous"? "Adorable"? Gee.. real "Guy" talk, eh? Looks like we have another gushing Perez Hilton sashaying his booty across the internet.

By divabrighton

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

And your point is...what? That gay men shouldn't write columns on the internet? Don't read it. From the article, this column is number 1, with or without you.
BTW, "sashaying his booty" isn't very manly talk either...especially when you know how to spell sashaying. LOL

By bill

Better Perez than some gay-hating repukelican Christian who believes in virgin births and folks gettin up from the dead!

By SuzyQ

Ellen does not fit on Idol...do not want to watch it while she is on. Bad choice to replace Paula with her.

Friday 08 January

By Cookie

I feel Ellen will be a great replacement for ths show and will bring in a lot of viewers. It needed a boost as I myself stopped watching, but will return because of Ellen. Great choice with a great personality. What a people person Ellen is. GO ELLEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday 11 January

By Cea

omg! it's abt the new talent struggling to get their big break, not the judges. i couldn't give a rat who the judges are. we have a lot of great artists thanx to idol that we might not know otherwise. plz don't let your dislike of a judge destroy a great show that has launched the careers of many great singers. the judges have made their marks. they just want bigger checks. really, they r insignificant. think abt the next kelly clarkson, chris daughtry, or fantasia before u suggest we stop watching idol over one judge.

Don't listen to this person. DO watch it with Ellen. She's warm and funny.

By jean

Elen has her own show if people want to watch her. I will not watch American Idol with these changes. I'm sure whoever could find a more qualified replacement. Simon and Paula made the show with their very different oppions.

By hey you, it's me

Who cares if she is "warm" or friendly or whatever? She doesn't know anything (professionally) about music & her opinions will not be based in anything that would actually help someone's future in music. Just because Paula was super nice doesn't mean the only qualification for filling her seat is "just be super nice" Being a nice person doesn't mean you know what you're talking about.
I won't be watching... not because she's gay or whatever, but because the show has stooped to bringing in Ellen when they could have gotten someone who actually knows something about music or producing music.

By Dave DAVIS

Your so right-on! No more for my family. Where is Paula?

By Cheryl

Im sure it will be irritating every show I so do not care for ellen do not think she is funny,I was ill when i heard she was replacing paula,then to hear no simon.....will never watch a show i used to love

By Carolyn

Cheryl, I totally agree with you.

By Don

I agree totally, after watching every season I will no longer be watching. I never cared for Ellen, don't think she is funny, and don't want her lifestyle flaunted in my face. I know many others feel the same way.

Wednesday 27 January

By lisbeth cohan

yeah-after last years's winner, I was pretty turned off, and now this?? Not to mention, Simon has the driest, funniest sense of humor I ever heard-the show's going to be a big love fest-no thanks-

By Charlie

No Great loss losing Simon, without Paula I wont be watching anyway

By ThisIsNuts!

We don't WANT warm and fuzzy! We ENJOY the caustic and crusty realism Simon brings to the show. FACT... he's was the one and only opinion that the majority of viewers actually agreed with. He was spot-on with his criticism every week, like it or not. I am a big fan of Ellen, however, American Idol won't survive without Simon Cowell. No matter WHO they bring in.

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