Simon Cowell Bids Goodbye on the Ellen Degeneres Show (Plus Randy Jackson on Lopez) – VIDEO

By On 05/25/2010 · 36 Comments · In American Idol, Ellen DeGeneres, Simon Cowell

UPDATE: Randy Jackson told George Lopez last night that he thinks Lee DeWyze will win. Check it out HERE or after the jump.

Simon Cowell sat with Ellen Degeneres on her talk show to discuss his remarkable run as judge on American Idol, and to predict this year’s winner.

Simon says Lee DeWyze will win American Idol, but we knew he’d say that. (He claims that if you asked him 5 or 6 weeks ago, he would have said Crystal Bowersox).

Video after the JUMP…

Part 1 – Simon predicts the winner of American Idol

Part 2 – Featuring  Ellen Video hijinks

Randy Jackson on last night’s George Lopez

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  • Refl

    I bet if Crystal gives superior performances in the Finale, Simon would comment:
    ‘I completely misunderestimated you’

  • unique28v

    Simon was on the Crystal train 5 or 6 weeks ago. Even when Crystal gave bad performances, he rarely called her out on it, like last week. Last year, Simon changed his mind and said he thought Kris was going to win so he can change his mind this year too. I see nothing wrong with that.

    Crystal peaked 5 weeks ago and Lee just started peaking. We just have to wait to see if he waited too late to peak or if its perfect timing.

  • Banished

    Simon also predicted that Adam or Danny would win last year, and that Archie would win the year before. Guess he still has yet to understand America’s. voting demo. Although, he could be playing head games and saying this to get people to vote for Crystal. Hmmm…

  • unique28v

    Simon always saw potential in Lee since the Semi-finals. He believed in him when no one else did. Even Lee has just begun to believe in himself. Crystal has been the same throughout the competition. That can be good or bad depending on what side of the fence you’re on.

  • AIaddict

    I am gonna miss Simon.

  • unique28v

    Although, he could be playing head games and saying this to get people to vote for Crystal. Hmmm…

    Nope. Simon wanted a Taylor Swift relevant type artist. He’s not getting either no matter who wins.

  • tessa

    Although he “predicted” Archie would win two years ago, I believe he wanted David Cook to win. Declaring it a knockout in favor of Archie drove Cooks fans to vote hard. He plays mind games and who knows who he really wants to win this year.

  • Suzanne

    I think that, being wrong especially last year, Simon is just parroting the odds-makers, who do have Lee as the favorite.

    (Feeling kinda bummed. I really want Crystal to win–Lee is a lot like David Cook with weaker pitch. It would be better for Idol to have Crystal win.)

  • songsungblue

    Interesting that you can call for a winner BEFORE anyone has sung. Trust me, he’s going to say that Lee is the Second Coming if he comes on stage and throws tennis balls at the audience while singing “I am a Little Teacup.”

    So obvious. The only thing that can stop this is Lee coming out as gay onstage at the Nokia, and french kissing Tim Urban. :)

  • Trina

    I said this in the rumors thread but I’ll repeat it,Simon didnt predict Archie for the win until AFTER the performances. On Ellen two days before the finale, and the press he called it for DC. Sometimes he’s right, sometimes he’s wrong. I think with Lee he just wants him to win.

  • gangreen29

    Crystal peaked 5 weeks ago and Lee just started peaking. We just have to wait to see if he waited too late to peak or if its perfect timing.

    How does that Kool-aid taste lol?

  • songsungblue

    It’s just perplexing. Lee has had so few performances that are even interesting. The Boxer? Was off key and he stood like a lump. Treat Her Like a Lady? Okay, but he was praised for an arrangement he didn’t even do. Falling Slowly was a gift from Crystal, who kept him on key and picked out the song. He didn’t sing it well, it was bombastic. Simple Man was his best, but he doesn’t bring anything new to it, and don’t get me started on Halluejah! What really gets me is the “You’re a great person!” How is that even relevant?

    The supposed arc of improvement is just manufactured, IMO, so that the season won’t be inevitable. Oh, I’m sure he’ll record an album that people will buy. But he’s got 1/10th the talent and musicality of Crystal, and he’s being rewarded for being a blank slate.

    I just…okay, whatever Simon. You’ll get the winner you deserve.

  • abbysee

    How does that Kool-aid taste lol?

    Spiked with a lil’ somethin’, somethin’ perhaps?

  • http://www.comcast.net KAT80

    I am really going to miss Simon because more times than not, his critique of the contestants is spot on as well as his predictions of who was going home during an elimination week.

    As far as his winner predictions, IMO he predicts the winner based on his/her talent or potential talent, but he might change his mind at the competition’s end when he notices where he believes the american vote is focused. It does not always mean that is the contestant he wants to win and since the voting is discretionary and not limited, the best vocalist/artist may not always win the competition. JMO

  • gangreen29

    It’s just perplexing. Lee has had so few performances that are even interesting. The Boxer? Was off key and he stood like a lump. Treat Her Like a Lady? Okay, but he was praised for an arrangement he didn’t even do. Falling Slowly was a gift from Crystal, who kept him on key and picked out the song. He didn’t sing it well, it was bombastic. Simple Man was his best, but he doesn’t bring anything new to it, and don’t get me started on Halluejah! What really gets me is the “You’re a great person!” How is that even relevant?

    And just TWO weeks ago his Kiss From a Rose was one of the worst performance of any contestant all season, so how on earth has he been growing and peaking at the right time? Even if he was improving, when did this become America’s most improved idol? If that was the case earlier we would have had luminous winners like Diana Degarmo, Phil Stacey, and Kristy Lee Cook

  • TwigLA

    Simon is no different than the rest of us in having favorites or making predictions. Sometimes a majority likes our favorite and sometimes they also vote for them. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

    The difference is that Simon is in a position of influence and has the platform to sway people. That can work in favor or against whomever he names.

    These clips from The Ellen Show were fun. I loved Ellen in the rabbit head. Very funny!

  • springboard

    But he’s got 1/10th the talent and musicality of Crystal, and he’s being rewarded for being a blank slate.

    I don’t agree that he lacks talent or musicality at all. His problem is singing technique and it can be worked on. He has also improved a lot in terms of stage presence, he was good in his homecoming videos.

  • Laury

    I’m so happy that Simon is predicting that Lee is going to win, it probabily means that Crystal will WIN!! Thank you Simon!

  • unique28v

    Even if he was improving, when did this become America’s most improved idol?

    Its always been about that “story”. Even though the most consistant often do better after Idol, usually they don’t win the show. Its been that way for 8 (maybe 9) seasons now. Even with shows such as Dancing with the Stars and SYTYCD. Its the same thing.

    Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

    I like this!!

    How does that Kool-aid taste lol?

    I don’t know. How does your kool-aid taste for Crystal? lol Just because I can see where Simon’s coming with (I’m not buying the mind-game conspiracy theories) doesn’t mean I’m drinking anyone’s kool-aid. But the show has always been about that dark horse. It happens every year. Maybe this year will be different. We’ll just hae to wait and see.

  • OvenMitt

    I guess we change the title from “American Idol” to “Most Improved Idol”.

  • gangreen29

    I don’t know. How does your kool-aid taste for Crystal?

    Delicious lol

    Its always been about that “story”. Even though the most consistant often do better after Idol, usually they don’t win the show. Its been that way for 8 (maybe 9) seasons now. Even with shows such as Dancing with the Stars and SYTYCD. Its the same thing.

    I know Idol is about the story, but since when was it this awful most improved story? Kelly wasn’t most improved, Ruben wasn’t most improve, Fantasia wasn’t most improved, Carrie wasn’t most improved, Taylor wasn’t most improved…So I guess with Jordin…

  • unique28v

    I know Idol is about the story, but since when was it this awful most improved story? Kelly wasn’t most improved, Ruben wasn’t most improve, Fantasia wasn’t most improved, Carrie wasn’t most improved, Taylor wasn’t most improved…So I guess with Jordin…

    LOL Yes. Jordin is my least favorite Idol winner. Season 6 was all messed up for me!

  • springboard

    I think that it will be decided on the night, but if they perform the same level as last week, then Lee has a chance. Although Hallelujah was overrated, Simple Man was very good and the only enjoyable performance of the night for me. People may think that that the general public buys into the judges hype, but it’s clear that it’s not always the case, so may be there is something that make them vote for Lee. May be they like his raspy tone and his ability to make old songs sound current and fresh, and may be this is what Simon hears too.

  • LaurelG

    If that was the case earlier we would have had luminous winners like Diana Degarmo, Phil Stacey, and Kristy Lee Cook

    Well, I hear they’ll be performing a number together at the finale this year, so there ya go. :)

  • Trina

    LOL so Kara,Simon and now Randy are calling it for Lee. Are they all trying reverse psychology?

  • http://www.twilightslo.com Mateja

    LOL Yes. Jordin is my least favorite Idol winner. Season 6 was all messed up for me!

    Well, Jordin is the last winner that I liked. Season 6 was a little weird, but it was still better than season 9. I thought that Melinda was the best singer that season, but she looked older than she really was. Idol want winners that look young and I’m sure that TPTB also wanted someone youthful after Taylor Hicks.

  • springboard

    LOL so Kara,Simon and now Randy are calling it for Lee. Are they all trying reverse psychology?

    There is also the possibility that Lee is considered more marketable that Crystal, I don’t know which is which.
    It’s going to be obvious tonight.

  • unique28v

    I thought that Melinda was the best singer that season, but she looked older than she really was. Idol want winners that look young and I’m sure that TPTB also wanted someone youthful after Taylor Hicks.

    Which is why I laugh when people say American Idol is a singing competition.

  • cookcricket

    Suzanne:
    05/25/2010 at 10:35 am

    I think that, being wrong especially last year, Simon is just parroting the odds-makers, who do have Lee as the favorite.

    (Feeling kinda bummed. I really want Crystal to win–Lee is a lot like David Cook with weaker pitch. It would be better for Idol to have Crystal win.)

    WORD to this entire post.

    Actually, I’m wondering if the story arc of the past two yrs. are influencing Simon and the odds-makers…Lee has followed that. Someone perhaps chosen for top 24 as fodder, an ‘everyday’ type WGuyWG, ends up receiving more votes than ever expected, never in the bottom three…

    I’m still hoping that Crystal simply ‘brings it’ tonight and blows us all away!

    BTW, other than seeming to be TCO, Crystal does not follow the story arc of the past two RU’s. I’m still hoping…

  • weese

    In some ways, Taylor Hicks ruined American Idol. He was the first to strategize and play the game(soul patrol) better than the producers themselves. We have seen blatant manipulation on AI’s part ever since.
    I for one really like Lee’s voice. And have loved him since his bagpipe performance.

  • sweetsweatredheat

    “Kiss from a Rose” is not good but I don’t think it’s part of the worst performance of the season category. Personally I can name you 30 others. I guess, plainly, you just don’t like Lee and that is ok.

    I love Crystal (Holy Toledo on repeat) but I do get it why people vote for Lee. The guy is talented. The people around him – that are with him most of the time including Crystal, know it and for us to dismiss him and believe otherwise based on a few minutes of clips here and there is simply presumptuous. Yes, he’s got the potential to be a star but he’ll definitely need help. After weeks and weeks, the guy has proven he’s worth standing there with Crystal by working hard. In the end, if Lee wins, good for him.

    I’ll be sitting back and enjoying the show tonight. Voting if I get blown away by whoever delivers – and yes regardless of what the judges think or say. I’ll trust my own judgement, thank you.

  • Pam

    Voting if I get blown away by whoever delivers – and yes regardless of what the judges think or say. I’ll trust my own judgement, thank you.

    That’s the way it should be. It’s really sad in some cases when America needs a judge to tell them who is better. I didn’t like the overzealous pimping of Jordin during season 6 (yes, Melinda was the superior vocalist imo) and I certainly don’t like the OTT obvious pimping of Lee.

  • alxsavage

    Simon can have his favorites and I don’t care. But com’on…the paint salesman who has zero experience? Yeah right.

  • BootStar

    And that he is amazed by his story and that he’s talented. *barf*

    What “story” is he talking about? Did I miss something? Isn’t Lee the guy who has not one but *two* albums released on an indie label?

    WTF is Simon talking about?

    Or is he so incredibly lazy it’s possible he really doesn’t know anything about Lee besides what’s been fed to him on his Teleprompter?

  • inghinyero
  • Nina1

    The only thing that can stop this is Lee coming out as gay onstage at the Nokia, and french kissing Tim Urban

    I’ll vote for that. It would make for one terrific show! Go Lee!