I believe Simon Cowles the judge is not a producer of the show. He is not listed on the credits as a producer.
Simon Fuller and another guy brought the deal to FOX from England, where the other Simon was also a judge. Open to other info.............
I know Simon's a big dog in this. He's from the British show, his company (BMG, I somehow cross bread that with EMI last night) is the one the winner gets the contract with.
OK, I think I'm ahead of the run. Here's from Ananova:
http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_677645.html?menu= "
Simon Cowell is setting up his own TV production company.
He has had talks with the head of record label BMG about
setting up their own TV company.
It is expected to focus on music TV formats.
The company that makes Pop Idol and American Idol is owned by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller.
It employs Cowell to act as a judge on the shows as well as release the winners music.
But that means Cowell makes no money from the sale of the show around the world reports Variety.
"
I remember hearing that he was quiting both shows (American Idol and the original Pop Idol in England) to concentrate on production, I'd mistakenly thought "production" meant of those shows. Oops.