'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 Mel

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No more idol for me with this Ellen on

By ratari

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Simon and Paula really added to the show, however to say Ellen won't be any good is a little premature and to make the bigoted remark about her flaunting her life style on the show is really stupid. What does it matter that she is gay? She is still a nice person. I say give the show a chance to see how she does and put your bias and weak egos aside. It's still a fun show to watch because ultimately it's the contestants that REALLY MAKE the show!

By marylamb62

I love Ellen - on her show but don't think she is a smart replacement for Paula or more importantly Simon. I love AI and Simon is my favorite.

By Retz

I don't think Ellen is qualified for Idol and about Kate G don't like her, not watching her in anything and I could care less about her hair!!

By Angel

I'm not sure if I will even be watching Idol at this point. I love Ellen but the show was made with Paula, Randy, and Simon. Now that Paula is gone and the fact that Simon may not be there may not be there next year is just crap. Pay them the money that they want so that the show that we all love stays the same. Is it really too much to ask. Many of us have watched Idol from the very beginning but I am not sure if as many of us will continue to watch it after all of our favorite judges are gone.

By Julia

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I'll watch as long as the contestants are good. I could care less who the judges are. Simon's a lucky jerk...Paula's bubbly and kind-hearted...Ellen's funny, but her judging qualities remain to be tested...Kara's annoying but has talent...and RANDY? He seems to be the only one with a good head on his shoulders, who offends no one yet judges with accuracy.

Al? As in Roker? I think you mean Randy. There is no Al on American Idol.

By PJ

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Hi, Julia:

I believe the writer was saying AI as in AMERICAN IDOL... not AL as in Roker. Heh

By al

Al, Randy, what the heck. They all act the same. I will never watch Idol again, as long as Ellen is there. She does not represent anything American. She should be on a Sodom and Gomora show.

By Toni

She dont not mean AL... She meant AI as in american idol!

Thursday 14 January

By Jennifer

Silly, its A and the capital letter I not the name Al. AI stands for American Idol.

By Wendy

LMAO... AI = American Idol hahahahahaha good grief

By DAWNDY

???? WHY WOULD YOU THINK JULIA...THAT THAT PERSON WROTE "A L" LOL LOL LOL GO BACK AND DONT YOU SEE 99 3/4% OF PEOPLOE ON HERE DONT TYPE OUT AMERICAN IDOL!! I WRITE "AI" YOUR TO FUNNY...AL HAHAHAH THANKS FOR THE LAUGH!!!

By Diane

Im not watching Idol without Paula! the show is already dead to me so I dont care which judge they focus on! I wont be watching

By Hey

I AM NOT WATCHING IDOL WITHOUT PAULA. I just dont have any interest in this show without her. Ellen? Yawn. Paula was the Excitement, the reason you tuned in every week not already knowing Exactly what you will get. I will not be watching Idol without her.

By Nessa

Im sure Idol and Ellen will be very happy together

I will not be watching though. I dont care for Idol without miss personality aka Paula Abdul. Would rather watch paint dry than Idol without Paula

By ma

bad boy simon we have learned over the last 8 seasons to love and dislike. he was the catalyst of the show. this is why he was paid 50mill per year to do the show. with this mega buck payoff he co-executive produced 2 shows: america's got talent and the x factor both of which are HUGE shows.some shows can survive w/o certain stars idol want w/o simon. american idol will be known as american idle.

By Bob

Idol is dead, dead, dead to me now. I WILL no longer watch I guarantee you. Paula was the first straw, Ellen Degenerate, who has ZERO music talent, did for me. Screw you Idol, but leave the horse you rode in on alone.

By wayne

Simon is the man, no one cares about that dyke

By Mary

"American Idol"...a great showcase for new and talented singers. Yes...Simon Cowell brought this show to America (Please correct me if I'm wrong). We thank you for this, Simon. However, why are we so hung up on who's hosting and judging the show? It is the 'kids' that we should be focused on. After all; this is a format for talented youngsters to get their start. Why is there so much hoopla on the judges? Just so long as they are fair in their judging.
I would also like to add that this 'phone in' judging from John Q. Public is all screwed up. How can you show a fair and just vote by voting umpteen million times for 'one' person? It should be ONE vote for ONE person per show. That is the fair way of doing it. Wouldn't that be something if we stuffed the ballot boxes on election day with a gazillion votes from one person for the President-elect? Besides, all of these votes that one is allowed to give to one person ties up the phone lines, making it almost impossible for someone else to get through. While we're so busy changing judges; how about changing the voting system and doing it right and fair?
Good luck to all talented contestants on this year's show.

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