'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 ItsonlyMyOpinion

Vote down Vote up Report this

Mary, I agree the show is, or should be, about the talented young people. I agree the method for voting needs adjustment. The most talented should be the one that wins. The show should be about the talent, not the judges.

By Kevin

No Simon did NOT bring Idol to America .. whoever told you that is an idiot. Besides Simon's only real claime to fame is the Spice Girls

By What?!

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Face it, people. Simon rocks! Really. He was the one who helped the American Idol rating to skyrocket.

By Louise Williams

If Simon leaves, we all leave with him.

By JEANNE

I REALLY LIKED PAULA BUT I AM WILLING TO GIVE ELLEN A CHANCE BUT IF YOU DON'T KEEP SIMON I THINK THE SHOW WILL NOT GO BOTTOM-UP. SIMON IS GREAT AND HE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS............AND 99 PERCENT RIGHT. REMEMBER CARRIE UNDERWOOD PREDICTION.

By Kathy

Without Simon, the show is dead in the water. I, like so many, already tune into X Factor on YouTube. The talent on their show is awesome! And the judges know talent when they see it. Ellen is great on her own show...so not a talent judge.

By Lynne

Same. No good without Paula.....she was the heart and soul behind Idol. Simon may be callous, but he is usually right. Do not like Kara. I don't know why they messed with a good thing.

By S. Haran

Both are bad. I do not want to see them on the air

By RL

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Idol is so dead. Long live The X Factor. This show is so over. Why don't they just pick 10 singers. put them on Ellen show. one a day. and then give them a contract. How sweet. No need to put them through the "horror" of Simon. Bye Idol.

Simon makes "American Idol".............very POOR choice choosing Ellen to replace Paula! "Idol" sure has gone downhill!

By polly

This is definitely the beginning of the end of "Idol."

By TEXAS PRINCESS

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

i'm watching!!!! I love Ellen, the most "real" and genuinely, nice and clean humored star ever !SO IS SO POPULAR AMONGST THE STARS..THEY LOVE HER ALSO!

By Cyd

First off since Paula is off the show and the replaced her with Ellen. Who the heck can Ellen judge. She isnt someone who has a clue about music.
Secondly, Simon made that show. In this business,it takes people like Simon to push the singers to do well. Since Paula is gone and Simon leaves the show will not survive.
I surely wont be watching it.

Friday 08 January

By F Williams

Make no mistake, Adam Hanft may be brilliant but Simon Cowell is the entertainment on American Idol.

By ryan

You all have to remember that Simon is truly the only one who can see real talent. Sure your heart goes out to everyone, but this is a business, always was a business and always will be a business. Even though American Idol is pop-music and culture at it's roaring best, Simon was always the voice of reason. Look at all the Idols and see how many Simon said would have an impact on mainstream music and who hasn't. Idol has produced some quality acts over the course of it's tenure, but they should toss everyone else and keep Simon if Idol wants to have the credibility it took so long to build.

By Pnut

Gee, I have never seen Ellen on Idol to make a remark about her. If Simon leaves he will surely be missed.I will still enjoy watching the show and the talents of so many people out there. Pnut

By sktorok

American Idol was BLOWN OUT in Season 8 because of ADAM LAMBERT!! It will never be the same, even with the addition of Ellen...who I love BTW...But seriously, who can top ADAM???!! AI found their star!!

By Bonnie

I have nothing against Ellen, but this is a HUGE mistake for Idol! Simon is what makes the show...and his banter with Paula was sometimes nutty but always entertaining. And what a slap in the face to Randy Jackson and somewhat to Kara D. To feature Ellen prominently on the show is just wrong, and it will result in declining viewership. I'll watch for a week or two and if it is as much of a nightmare as it sounds like it will be, I'll turn the channel or read a book!

By debbie22264

Paula was a joke. I'm SO glad she's gone! Simon is the only one who tells the truth. It's sad when people expect everything to be sugar coated. If you're offended by his blunt talk get over it! Do you really watch the show? These folks couldn't sing their way out of a paper bag think they have tallent. Simon wasn't the only one laughing. Paula did her share of laughing and Randy too. I'm looking foreword to seeing how Ellen does on the show. How can you judge when she hasn't done anything yet. While were changing things...GET RID OF KARA!

By rxkev43

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Idol will never be the same without Simon. Ellen? I dont think so, never. If Ellen takes his place Idol will go down the tubes. Just my opinion.

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