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The end of 'Idol'? (Simon Cowell to leave American Idol to start US version of X-Factor?)
New York Post ^ | 12/17/2009 | Michael Starr

Posted on 12/17/2009 9:17:52 AM PST by SeekAndFind

Simon Cowell could be leaving "American Idol" at the end of the season and starring in an American version of his British hit music show, "X Factor," starting in 2011, according to reports.

Cowell, whose "Idol" contract expires in May and who has been in talks with Fox since last summer, is preparing to announce the new arrangement with Fox early next year, the Times Of London reports.

The future of "Idol" would be thrown into serious doubt if the show's indisputable star leaves, it would appear.

Officials from Fox, "Idol" and Cowell's own company yesterday refused comment.

"X Factor" is produced by Cowell, who's also a judge on the show just like on "Idol."

Unlike "Idol," however, Cowell and two other judges help mentor the "X Factor" contestants.

Viewers vote on which singers stay or go -- but the aspect of judges competing against each other adds a new twist to the "Idol" formula.

Since its debut four years ago, "X Factor" is by far the most popular show in Britain. Last Saturday night, the finale episode of the latest season practically brought the country to a standstill.

It drew an audience of over 19 million people, in a nation where 10 million viewers is considered a runaway hit.

The report in yesterday's Times of London said Cowell is "considering" stepping down from "Idol" to do a US version of "X Factor" -- and that he told this to Fox entertainment chief Peter Rice at a meeting in London six weeks ago.

Fox apparently would broadcast "X Factor" here -- which means the network would either have to end "Idol" or broadcast both series at different times of the year.

"Among the judges, Simon is first among equals," says industry analyst John Rash.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: americanidol; simoncowell; xfactor
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1 posted on 12/17/2009 9:17:52 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

Simon created idol. He was the only one who was blunt enough to say what we all felt inside. Everyone else was too concerned about hurting the contestant’s feelings.

I see Simon’s loss as the death of the series.


2 posted on 12/17/2009 9:19:02 AM PST by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: SeekAndFind

Given the addition of Ellen DeGeneres who stated she knew nothing about music.........was the end of my watching any episodes at all.


3 posted on 12/17/2009 9:20:47 AM PST by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)
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To: SeekAndFind

Yeah.....but......they’ve got Ellen now.


4 posted on 12/17/2009 9:22:03 AM PST by bereanway (Sarah get your gun)
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To: SeekAndFind

“starring in an American version of his British hit music show, “X Factor,”

Which is EXACTLY what he did in the UK when he left Pop Idol to create X Factor so he could own the show solely. I think Nigel Lithgow is realizing that American Idol is on the wane and caught up in So You Think You Can Dance and probably doesn’t care anymore.


5 posted on 12/17/2009 9:22:18 AM PST by autumnraine (You can't fix stupid, but you can vote it out!)
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To: SeekAndFind

I know I’m out of touch. My television viewing lately consists of Glen Beck and DVR recordings of Gunsmoke and The Rockford Files (I do love Burn Notice when it’s in season). I’ve never watched a single minute of American Idol...so will someone please tell me what “X-Factor is?


6 posted on 12/17/2009 9:22:31 AM PST by VR-21
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To: VR-21

It would probably be educational to learn something about American popular culture, simply to understand the sort of entertainment people patronize these days.

But since you ask about what X-Factor is, here it is in a nutshell :

The X Factor is a TV show franchise originating in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol (the British precursor to American Idol and other similar shows worldwide).

The X-factor programs are produced by executive producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco TV (which will be merged into Greenwell Entertainment as a result of a recent partnership with Sir Philip Green).

The competitions, now held in various countries, pit talented contestants against each other. These contestants are talented aspiring pop singers and performers drawn from public auditions. The “X Factor” of the title refers to the undefinable “something” that makes for star quality. The prize is usually a recording contract (in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants).

The format creator is Simon Cowell who also judges and mentors on the UK series. The UK version is responsible for the launch of British pop stars, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS and recently, Joe McElderry.


7 posted on 12/17/2009 9:26:52 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind
"X Factor" is by far the most popular show in Britain. Last Saturday night, the finale episode of the latest season practically brought the country to a standstill.

Well this is odd. I've lived in Britain all my life and the first time I'd heard of this 'X-factor' was just now, reading this post.

Not saying the article is wrong. I'm saying that something can be a huge success while 2/3 of the population have never even heard of it.

8 posted on 12/17/2009 9:37:58 AM PST by agere_contra
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To: Carley

I had already made the decision not to watch this year because of Ellen. I hated that other woman and I think in the case of Idol 4 was a crowd.


9 posted on 12/17/2009 9:39:45 AM PST by tiki (True Christians will not deliberately slander or misrepresent others or their beliefs)
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To: Hodar

It will be interesting to see what happens with 19 Entertainment, on of the show sponsors and the agency that represents contestants and winners. They have been called out for planting contestants in the top 32 and even top 12. I believe one contestant dropped out due to publicity about her relationship with them. There was enough publicity surround this that the show is losing credibility with fans.


10 posted on 12/17/2009 9:40:20 AM PST by PrincessB ("if government X-rays are anything like the photos the DMV takes for your license, count me out" A.)
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To: agere_contra
I'm saying that something can be a huge success while 2/3 of the population have never even heard of it.

This is a pleasant surprise. 2/3 of the British population aren't addicted to the Idiot box.... you still have hope.
11 posted on 12/17/2009 9:42:34 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: PrincessB

The best part of Idol are the first shows where Simon tells the delusional what their parents should have told them long ago. Especially the transgender divas.


12 posted on 12/17/2009 9:43:34 AM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: tiki

I made the same decision for the same reason, although I forgot why until you reminded me (of Ellen). Besides, it can’t be equaled anymore without David Cook.


13 posted on 12/17/2009 9:46:09 AM PST by FrdmLvr ("The people will believe what the media tells them they believe." Orwell)
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To: PrincessB
They have been called out for planting contestants in the top 32 and even top 12.

I have a very strong suspicion that a lot of those lousy but funny auditions (with few exceptions like say, William Hung ) are "planted" actors, placed there for the entertainment value.

I remember this guy Keith who sang a horrible but rib tickling version of Madonna's "LIKE A VIRGIN" ( I still laugh today just thinking about it ). I believe he is a planted actor. His scene just looks too contrived to be real. But then, I can't prove it. It's just my feeling.
14 posted on 12/17/2009 9:46:26 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

There was a guy a couple years ago who did the funniest rendition of “Let My People Go.” I laugh my head off when my son does a dead-on imitation of it.


15 posted on 12/17/2009 10:01:18 AM PST by Mangia E Statti Zitto
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To: Hodar
Simon created idol. He was the only one who was blunt enough to say what we all felt inside. Everyone else was too concerned about hurting the contestant’s feelings. I see Simon’s loss as the death of the series.

Heck, for half the amount of money they pay him, I'll go on the show and crush peoples dreams and spirits :-)

16 posted on 12/17/2009 10:04:07 AM PST by Turbo Pig (...to close with and destroy the enemy...)
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To: Mangia E Statti Zitto
There was a guy a couple years ago who did the funniest rendition of “Let My People Go.”

As I said, some of them are too contrived for me to believe that they are "real" auditions. Some reporter should really investigate the background of these auditioners and determine of FOX actually pays them to do these TV auditions.
17 posted on 12/17/2009 10:16:41 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: Mangia E Statti Zitto
There was a guy a couple years ago who did the funniest rendition of “Let My People Go.” I laugh my head off when my son does a dead-on imitation of it.

If you want to laugh at a time when you're sad, here is the video of the legendary "Let My People Go" audition for you to replay.
18 posted on 12/17/2009 10:20:20 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: Mangia E Statti Zitto
There was a guy a couple years ago who did the funniest rendition of “Let My People Go.”

I still think this is the funniest version:

"When Cameron was in Egypt land....Let my Cameron Go!"

19 posted on 12/17/2009 10:20:22 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: SeekAndFind

Thank you!


20 posted on 12/17/2009 10:29:36 AM PST by Mangia E Statti Zitto
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