'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 CracklinRosie

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This had BETTER be a joke. Simon IS the show, and the whole reason I watch, and stupid Ellen HAS NO BUSINESS BEING THERE AT ALL!!!!!!!!!! Simon is gorgeous, smart, witty, funny, and has that delicious accent. Ellen is just an annoying buffoon, and I DO NOT want to see more of her this season than Simon!!!!! If I wanted to see Ellen, I'd watch her stinkin' talk show. Idol is all about SIMON. Ellen already has her own show five days a week; let Simon have his show, for crying out loud.

By Emily1984

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They wouldn't be cutting him back if he still wanted to be more involved. This is his idea. I'm disappointed that he wants less time with Idol, but it's his decision.

By baby girl

no more idol for me wow no paula now no simon

By skank

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Ellen would be a refreshing change. She is very well liked by many people.

By rdt999

If Fox thinks Idol can survive without Simon, then they better think again. While he is sometimes brutal, I think he is the one in the end that the contestants want approval from. They know he is not going to sugar coat it and be honest. If Simon leaves, i go with him to x factor or whatever.

By tom

Paulas gone and so am I, If Simon goes, there goes the shows majority audience.
Cara D is a mistake I was still trying to cope with. The show has jumped the shark. It seems that the whole TV management is now catering to the gay audience. Howerd Stern did it and I see Jay Leno doing it with that freak that talks like a girl. I wish I loved to read more because the whole thing sucks.

By Kevin

No disrespect to Ellen, but what the heck does she know about the music business?!

By anni

American Idol staff is out of their mind.
Simom is American Idol. Bad enough tyou put
Ellen-who does not fit the Show, now you really
lost me as a fan. Nope, forget it I will no longer
watch American Idol if this happens. Your rating
will drop if you take out Simon. I like his sarcasticness. The contestant you let in for
trials is ridicoulous enough, you a Simon to get
rid of them or tell them the truth. The other judges are gutless. Sorry!

By Eric

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Thank God. Simon is such a jerk. That's also great that Paula left. All that's left is the show to go off the air too. Randy is pretty awful too

By Agatha

Idol doesn't seem the same to me without Paula....and the show hasn't even begun. Paula was the essense to watching. I'm sorry FOX....you made a terrible decision on this one! Paula will be missed by so many people. I am very disappointed with this move.

By Donllivi

With the addition of Ellen Degerate, Simon can see the writing on the wall. Why go down with a sinking ship. Leave as a winner. Idol has run its run!!

By linda

no more idol for me as long as ellen is on. talk about a show going down hill, you guys just put the icing on the cake. i used to love this show and watched it all the time, no more.

By Mary Lu

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My feeling is that if Simon leaves it will be the beginning of the end for American Idol. I question replacing Ellen with Paula, also. We'll see how this season goes. It'll be interesting. I'll still enjoy seeing new, talented unknowns, reach their dreams not matter what though.

By hal1carol2

Why not just cancel the show now. Without Simon and Paula
that's where it is headed.

Hal

By Jimmy

I like Ellen but NOT on Idol. it think if she replaces Simon, that will be the downfall of Idol

By silverscreencafe

I love American Idol and the judges as well, but because a judge leaves the show for any reason does not mean that the show itself is not worthy of my watching. I saw a young woman perform on stage who is now a grammy winner., peoples choice winner and so many other awards have been given to her. We know who I am speaking about Carrie Underwood. I was previliged to first see and vote her future on this show. The judges may leave and move on to other ventures but the goal of what the show is about is still there and that is to discover another new talent and another new American Idol. I have to add that I also believe that Donny Osmond would make a great judge.

By ItsOnlyMyOpinion

silverscreencafe, I agree the show is and should be about the contestants and their wonderful talent. I think it is good that the judges change. Donny Osmond would be a very nice addition as judge. And, yes, I like nice people.
It's Only My Opinion.

By Jack

Simon and Paula made the show worth watching. Why they would choose Ellen I will never understand, she has no music background. I could maybe see Donny and Marie as judges together with Marie playing the role of Simon. At least it would be funny. I will watch out of interest but don't expect it will keep my interest long.

By Gil

Look at the poll results. Nuff said.

I would only have agreed to Ellen replacing Simon on Idol if Adam had won prior. The choice of Ellen would tend to take the focus off of the participants and onto her. Her gender preference seems to be receiving more pub lately, and that hurt her in the past. She can prefer what she wants. I don't want to read or hear about her lesbian lifestyle. Sorry.

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