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 ...
The finale of X-Factor drew about 20 million viewers.
I’ve heard of it and I’m in the U.S.
If Simon leaves Idol and judges on his own U.S. version of the X-Factor then Idol is finished. It could be argued it’s been on it’s way out since Hicks won the show. It hasn’t had a real star emerge since that season, and it was someone who didn’t win.
I haven’t noticed her on any of the promotional commercials. Paula’s been edited out but Ellen is absent.
“Besides, it can’t be equaled anymore without David Cook.”
Just wanted to second that. ;-)
I’ve been a loyal watcher of Idol since the beginning and I won’t watch this year due to that disgusting Ellen Degenerate being hired to replace Abdul.
Ellen did a promo on Fox for her new season and I cringed just watching her...there’s something very weird and sick about her.
Ed
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