Simon Cowell Leaving 'American Idol' for New Show

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Jan 11th 2010 03:42PM

Simon Cowell, the lovably cantankerous music expert, is officially leaving 'American Idol' after this current season. The biggest star on TV's biggest show will depart in 2011 to begin his role as the face of 'The X Factor,' the show he created in Britain that he has plans to make a hit in the States. FOX will air 'Factor' as well, so Cowell is staying on the network.

Cowell and top Fox executives made the announcement to reporters in Pasadena at a meeting of the Television Critics Association, saying they had reached an agreement only a few hours before.

"I was offered a lot of money to stay on," Cowell said. "But that wasn't the reason behind it. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge."

He said he didn't want to leave 'American Idol' at a time when it was fading in the ratings. "You want to leave on a high," he said. "I'm very proud of what the show has achieved."

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Simon Cowell Snapshots

Simon Cowell is seen on December 10 in London. Check out more pics of the TV judge >>

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic.com

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Simon Cowell Snapshots

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, Simon Cowell poses on the press line at the Elton John Academy Award viewing and after party in West Hollywood, Calif. Cowell's brother says the next season of "American Idol" will be the judge's last. Tony Cowell said in his weekly podcast, "The Cowell Factor," that a statement was being prepared that would certify that the acerbic British judge was leaving the popular Fox signing competition at the end of 2010. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

FILE - In this March 20, 2008 file photo, Simon Cowell attends the Details magazine Party in Beverly Hills, Calif. A grass-roots Facebook campaign has spoiled American Idol mogul Simon Cowell's Christmas of 2009 by denying one of his new acts the prestigious "Christmas No. 1" spot in Britain. Thanks to a Facebook campaign that capitalized on growing unhappiness with Cowell's cookie-cutter approach to pop stardom, the antiestablishment Rage Against the Machine came out ahead of Joe McElderry, winner of Cowell's popular "X Factor" TV competition. (AP Photo/Phil McCarten, file)

X-Factor judge Simon Cowell is seen on December 10, 2009 in London, England. X Factor Finalists Sighting - December 10, 2009 London, England United Kingdom December 10, 2009 Photo by Neil Mockford/FilmMagic.com To license this image (59115842), contact FilmMagic.com

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic.com

Simon Cowell arrives at the X Factor Studios on November 27, 2009 in London, England. Celebrity Sightings In London - November 27, 2009 London, England United Kingdom November 27, 2009 Photo by Jack/FilmMagic.com To license this image (59020703), contact FilmMagic.com

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©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM British royals attend Day 1 of the Royal Ascot races. Picture Shows: Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell NON-EXCLUSIVE June 16, 2009 Job: 90616X3 Berkshire, England www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com [KGC-55]

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Cowell's decision is the biggest threat yet to what has been the country's most popular TV program and a true cultural force. This season, original host Paula Abdul has been replaced by Ellen DeGeneres. But Cowell, with his caustic commentary, has long been seen as the big star of 'Idol.'

He said that it would have been hard for him to participate in both shows. While he makes a reported $36 million a year to be on "American Idol," he owns "The X Factor" and could make much more if the show takes off.

Peter Price, chairman of the Fox Broadcasting Co., would not speculate on possible replacements for Cowell.

"We have to take our time on that," Price said. "We have to make sure the chemistry of the judges is as good as it can be."

In a statement released by FOX, Cowell added, "I'm thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of THE X FACTOR, and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX. We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this."

"We have had a very successful relationship with Simon Cowell for many years, and we're absolutely delighted to continue our relationship with him. THE X FACTOR has been a massive success around the world, and we can't wait to bring it to the U.S. in 2011," said network President of Alternative Entertainment Mike Darnell.

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, simon cowell

Comments

(24)

Monday 11 January

By Amy

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

This is bad news for Idol fans. Well, it's gonna be the nail in the Idol coffin. Boo!

By Shirley Bocock

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Nail in the coffin for American Idol. And if they have the same sorry contestants like they had last year, I'll probably watch it even less this year. Throw out the losers and give the ones that can sing a chance to be recognized. Who cares about the idiots that dress like freaks and act like morons.

By SecretPact

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

No question about it, Simon was good for "American Idol"

Wednesday 13 January

By Amar Singh

Simon was the worst for the American Idol. I'm glad that he is in oblivion now.

By Marty

That means I probably won't watch American Idol after this year. To me Simon makes it interesting. He is honest about singers even though some folks don't like his way. Bye Simon, I will miss you.

By BigTinyLittle

I doubt I'll be able to sleep at all this week...

By Nancie

Great news! Can we also get him to leave the country???

By rss

bye paula bye simon hello ellen bye american idol

By johnny

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I will miss simon - the show will suk this year - Im not looking foward to see 3 men as judges this year- and if ellen gets up and dances like paula I will vomit - and its not fair to the male contastants this year that they have a non talented 50 year old man hater judge who thinks she looks like a 20 year old boy with that boyish haircut - and this is what my children have to look at all season - its not right

By josetyre

Oh Johnny I bet you're a hottie. I wonder how your children will grow up thinking that beauty is in the eye of daddy. God bless America!

Saturday 22 May

By Ron Lumme

Right on !! Ellen Degenerate is a waste of protoplasm! The show is crashing and with Simon leaving even thou pert he knows his music .Ellen was a pall parrot . I have a Masters in Music she was pitifull probably token gay!

By TW

He should have left with Paula if he wanted to leave on a high note. I'm not going to watch it this season because I don't think Ellen is qualified to judge (although I like her as a talk show host.)

By hammer

Get Leno...........he's looking

By jbjg24m

bring back Paula in his place !

By Mitser Happ

"Idol" is nothing more than a crock of nonsensical, artificial SHlT, anyway. How anyone like Cowell can make tens of millions of dollars off such spoon-fed crap is a testament to the general gullibility and stupidity of the masses.

By sarahb

I am very sorry to read that Simon is really leaving. Without him there will be nothing worth watching. I have never watched the Ellen show and can only surmise that she is no one's idol for the same reason Adam didn't make it. He had the talent, but he was not what America wanted to represent them as their idol, as well as Clay. Everyone knows Clay had the talent locked in but talent just does not get the overwhelming vote. After simon leaves I predict Idol will go down the Tubes. He was the only one that was truly honest with the contestantrs and actully, his critisizm helped them improve. Goodbye Idol, Hello X-Factor for me.

By jerry

oh simon your the man - at least your not a worn out 50 year old man who dresses as a woman and goes by the name of ellen - lets get real now - this world going down the tubes - i bet we have a lesbian for president next election -

Tuesday 12 January

By Bejay

...and what's your point here?

Thursday 14 January

By June

Couldn't care less. The guy makes too much money for doing nothing and is too arrogant. Was glad to see Paula go too.

By Elise

I'm not sure I even will watch this year. Ellen DeGeneris is a judge and I can't say I value her opinion on anything. I hear Howie Mandell will be a judge too. What if any music experience do these people have? Zippo. Count me out.

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