What Will Happen to 'Idol' and 'Factor' Now?

By Mike Hess Posted Jan 11th 2010 04:39PM

With word that Simon Cowell is leaving 'American Idol' after this season to start 'The X Factor' in the U.S., the fate of the 'Idol' juggernaut is uncertain. If Cowell wants to, he could offer up some stiff competition to his 'Idol' alma mater, leaving the show with a big "how do we compete against Simon?" conundrum. However, if he plays nice, he could work closely with FOX and 'Idol' on how to differentiate the two very similar shows. Also, does this open up the door for a triumphant return for Paula Abdul? We explore all of the 'Idol' and 'Factor' scenarios (including Paula) after the jump.

'Idol' and 'X Factor' go as such: Unknowns audition among a panel of judges, are then selected to compete, and then it's in the hands of the viewers to pick their favorite crooner. So without some major changes to one show's format, it doesn't seem like there's enough space for both right now. Cowell says he left 'Idol' because he "wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge." Aside from a title change, we'll go ahead and assume Simon's got some tricks up his sleeve to make 'Factor' its own animal ... because otherwise, what's different?

What's the Difference Between 'Factor' and 'Idol'? Not Much:

'Factor' Auditions

'Idol' Auditions

As for 'Idol,' they're losing their main voice and the reason that a good portion of its audience even watches the show. Face it: Simon's insults and overall grouchiness makes for good television whether you like it or not. So what does 'Idol' need to do?

"I suspect -- put this down as my crazy revelation for 2011 -- that Paula Abdul will return once Simon is out," Showbiz411 columnist Roger Friedman tells PopEater. "That will be a big PR event," Friedman adds.

As for the programs themselves, Friedman says "two shows are different enough," and that 'Idol' likely won't be going head-to-head with 'Factor,' but rotating during off-times.

The key difference between the shows is that 'Factor' lumps contestants into categories -- mostly by age and solo/group, whereas 'Idol' is everyone solo against everyone, no matter how old they are.

And if Paula isn't around, there's another judge already there who could take the 'Idol' reigns.

"We forget that Randy Jackson is very capable of taking over in a big way if he wants to," Friedman says.

However, it should be noted that Cowell started off in 2001 as a judge on Britain's 'Pop Idol,' and after leaving following the show's first season to start 'X Factor' (which resulted in nasty lawsuits), 'Pop Idol' lasted just two more seasons before it was replaced on the ITV network with ... wait for it ... 'X Factor.'

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Simon Cowell Snapshots

The always-cool Simon Cowell is seen here sporting some mean aviator shades as he leaves an 'X Factor' taping in November. Click for More Simon Pics >>>

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic.com

FilmMagic.com

Simon Cowell Snapshots

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, television personality Simon Cowell poses in West Hollywood, Calif. Cowell said Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 that this will be his last season on "American Idol." (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)

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

Jack/FilmMagic.com

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, paula abdul, PaulaAbdul, simon cowell, SimonCowell, x factor, XFactor

Comments

(88)

Monday 11 January

By Jim

Vote down Vote up Report this

Simon is a a--hole

By Zuphrora

Who is Simon? Simon is just the creator and executive producer of American Idol. If he wants to pull the show, it's his show and he can do whatever he wants.

By Christina

Simon FULLER is the creator and executive producer of American Idol, not Simon COWELL. Go to the AI website, it gives all the show info.

By JrMet

Who knows Maybe Randy will now be the Mean Guy

Tuesday 12 January

By bombsaway

Nah, he'll just continue to be the fat guy.

By Richard

What some people seem to forget is that the show is about the contestants, not the judges or the host.

By Tony R.

I hope and pray both shows take a big old nose dive. I already think Simon knows Idol was doomed since Paula Left, so that is why he is jumping ship. The real loser in all of this is going to be Ellen She is a great talent, and knows talent, but she is going to unfortunately have to take the fall with the show. Glad she has her own show to back her up.

By Jim Kozik

Danny Bonaduce could replace Simon; Jessica Simpson takes Paula's place and American Idol continues.

By Jackie McCafferty

I am 74 years young and I took the DVR with Brighthouse just to watch American Idol, It will never be the same without Paula and Simon.:) They were the highlights of the show.
Sincerely, Jackie McCafferty

By Brian Workman

Simon: Good Bye and Good Riddens!

By shell

The show was boring anyway it could have been good if they would have done a star search kinda thing ,I tried watching a couple times but after they kept going back stage and it turned into a "reality" show with whining and all the fake crap I got tired of it fast..

By jimmy

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

if i see one more lesbian on tv i will vomit - bad choice of judges = ellen wont be looking at the male singers - she will be hot in the pants for all the hot chicks - where did all the straight woman gone to?

By CracklinRosie

Without Simon there IS no American Idol, so Fox needs to pull the plug after this season and replace it with X Factor. I am very much looking forward to X Factor, but after Season 9 ends, we will have to wait 14 months for it, while we endure a Simonless Idol season and a terrible void from January-May. I will not watch ONE MILLISECOND of Idol without Simon. Today is the saddest day with the news that Simon is actually leaving Idol. I'm so upset, all my excitement about the new season is gone. It's going to be like trying to enjoy a night at your favorite club knowing that it is closing.

By Candie

I done with Idol....Its over for the show....

By Ralph Novak

Do what? There could be no one less interesting than simon Cowell.

By PETE

X FACTOR IS A MUCH BETTER SHOW THAN IDOL. SIMON HAS A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE ON X FACTOR. HE IS A NICER PERSON. AND BTW..HE'S AN IDIOT THAT MADE 43 MILLION LAST YEAR....WHO'S THE IDIOT.

By Ro

SARAH PALIN working for Fox or fux...good she has the IQ of a squirrel maybe a beaver to booty!!!

Wednesday 13 January

By Matthew

We can sit and argue about this, but Simon is the one that made it successful, and if we do not get someone like him, with that Harsh opinion toward bad singers, the show will not succeed. this is showbiz.

By wavechaser2003

What a waste of time worrying about Simon Cowell, the American Idol star search show or any celebrity story.....YAWN....how about getting past this waste of time & energy and thinking about REAL people and life...oh..I Dunno...how about....JOBS, regualr folks trying to pay their bills including the TV cable bill; Schools, our kids education, health care, survival of our planet beyond the next TV season.....If I was an alien and read this garbage I~d go ahead do the universe a favor and just vaporize the whole planet.

By d

I'm never watching it now with Ellen. All these sexual pervert lesbians on..They put these homosexuals even on kids shows now. If i had a kid i wouldnt let them watch tv.

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