This is Why Simon Cowell May Leave American Idol

Eep. If Simon leaves the show dies. I think last week’s judging fiasco proved that.

MJ, why are you still awake???

I think that Fox/AI will offer him the earth/moon/stars to keep Simon. I personally cannot imagine AI without Simon.

AI would just not be the same without Simon. they should end it if he goes otherwise it’ll be so embarrassing how hard they will fall.

I think that the potential income leaving and pushing X Factor would be more than what 19 and Fox can come up with. And Simon’s bored — that’s the one thing that TPTB don’t have an answer to.

I agree with hardkandy. Much as I hate to say, Idol just isn’t Idol without Simon Cowell. I remember him from the commercials for Season 1, and it was that Simon snark that got me interested to begin with.

I didn’t know Simon mattered so much until last week when we didn’t get his input on some of the contestants. It even felt sort of important that I got to hear what he thought about Kris the next night on results night, and I don’t even vote for Kris!, lol. Imo, the show would not be nearly as good without him and would ultimately fail (sooner rather than later).

Randy and Paula can be replaced. Even though it bugs me the way Simon is treating Anoop, the show wouldn’t be the same.

In order of importance:

Simon
Paula
Randy
and the other one.

Simon’s the glue that hold it all together but Paula’s the one who sees the talent the earliest and the most consistent, IMO.

The show dies without Simon.

He’s not the one you can easily replace. In fact the three are such fixtures to the show that no matter how nutty Paula gets and how annoying Randy is, we couldn’t replace any of them. (I’m leaving out Kara because she factors in little, they could remove her next year and I’d never miss her)

But Simon holds more value than Randy and Paula put together. I know I look forward to Simon’s comments more than anyone else. I hold more stake in what Simon says and in some senses I think the contestants do too.

Without Simon I probably wouldn’t watch anymore.

But Simon claims he doesn’t want to get bored, but if he even desired to launch X-Factor here, how much different is that show from Idol really? I’ve never seen the show, but isn’t it a singing competition just like idol is?

What’s the difference? Would the financial gain of it being his show keep him from getting bored?

I would love the x-factor here, he can turn idol into as he did with pop idol in Brtian. I would love the no age limit, and the groups.

But Simon claims he doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want to get bored, but if he even desired to launch X-Factor here, how much different is that show from Idol really? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve never seen the show, but isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t it a singing competition just like idol is?

It is a singing competition, but it more diverse. There is no age limits. It includes groups, they never win but its a nice change of pace. The judges are the mentors, thus the poorly hidden agendas they have in Idol are out in the open. The production value of the performances are significantly better. In all X-Factor is what Idol should evolve into. I’m sure Fremantle and Fox know it should happen eventually, I just wonder why they don’t just pull the trigger and announce season 10 will be the last season for Idol and 2011 will be X-Factor season 1. They could bring back the same four judges and it would work, God help whoever gets Paula or Randy as their mentors/judges.

This is very strange.

I know a lot of people hate change, but there has to be someone in the USA, who could take Simon’s spot and they could sell it to make ithe show more American.

But the point is if her says doing all three shows is to stressful, why would he want to lanuch anotjer show and be a judge

Next year would be a good year to wrap AI up.
AI has made so many bad choices this year, I think it’s pretty much ran it’s course. Don’t wait till it’s a ratings bottom dweller.

Have you guys seen Simon’s interview that he did with Craig Ferguson last night?

Simon talked again about his contract and I believe that he will leave after his contact ends. Also Craig asked him if he was thinking about another show to introduce to America after he leaves Idol and he just smiled and denied it. Too bad you can tell that the denial is absolute crap. I am willing to bet Simon is going to try and bring over the X-Factor to America with him on the show as a mentor/judge.

I would have no problem with Simon leaving. I’m bored with the way his agenda always shows and the tired little tantrums on the maybe three occasions he didn’t get his way.

The show gets boring when you lay out what it going to happen after watching the first show of the finals — and since Simon is the master planner, well, it’s O.K. with me if he leaves.

Yes, Simon, the show gets dull when you take away all elements of surprise.

What it all comes down to is when Simon leaves Idol is done. The show can’t survive without him, for one he is the only judge who gives and honest and understanable opinion.

I will be quite happy if Simon leaves. Change is always difficult as it involves everyone to come out of their comfort zone. People said the same thing when Seinfeld ended that watching tv will never be the same again, and look what happened, new things evolve and better things happen. Simon does not define music entertainment in America, I am sure someone will step in and bring newer and fresher ideas. It is time for a change. I will also be okay if Simon wants to take Paula as a parting gift.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Simon left. I’ve noticed when I see clips of him judging the shows in Britain over the years he seems so much more interested and even happy while here he’s mostly bored and testy. I don’t know if the show would survive without him but I can’t imagine them not trying. The problem is that they couldn’t do it with the other 3 alone.

I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be surprised at all if Simon left. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve noticed when I see clips of him judging the shows in Britain over the years he seems so much more interested and even happy while here heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mostly bored and testy

I think it’s just the fact that he knows to make it in America you have to be special, so that is probably why he is more judgemental on idol then on his British shows.

My guess is that it will indeed be that: Season 10 of American Idol will actually be Season 1 of X-Factor USA – starting in fall 2010 or winter 2011. They should ensure the Idol legacy stays alive though, i.e. having past Idol contestants frequently on the show as guests/mentors. (That is especially true if the Season 9 winner is successful)

Simon can leave for all I care. And you can bet I won’t be watching the American version of the X Factor.

Bring in Dicko to replace him.

My guess is that it will indeed be that: Season 10 of American Idol will actually be Season 1 of X-Factor USA – starting in fall 2010 or winter 2011. They should ensure the Idol legacy stays alive though, i.e. having past Idol contestants frequently on the show as guests/mentors. (That is especially true if the Season 9 winner is successful)

This could be true, except it would probably come on the same time due to the fact the British x factor is ending in the winter

I think Simon is just trying to not go down with the ship. He wants to get out of Idol before it becomes a total joke, probably before it drops from the #1 show on television spot. It makes him look better. Idol has to end eventually, and I would personally love to see Simon bring X Factor to America. That way, we’d still get a singing competition, we’d still have Simon, and there would be new interest in the show (ratings!). I would miss Ryan hosting, though.

ETA:

My guess is that it will indeed be that: Season 10 of American Idol will actually be Season 1 of X-Factor USA – starting in fall 2010 or winter 2011. They should ensure the Idol legacy stays alive though, i.e. having past Idol contestants frequently on the show as guests/mentors. (That is especially true if the Season 9 winner is successful)

I agree, except it wouldn’t be in the fall/winter. Besides that, this seems like the best way to do it to me.

The best way to schedule it IMO is to start the British show a bit earlier, say in early September or even late August, for a mid-December finish. Auditions would have to be a two-phase process, with many cities to start (in mid to late summer) and only a small number of cities for the judges (maybe 3 or 4 in the fall), to minimize the number of trips back to America in between.

I would miss Ryan hosting, though.

Ryan could still host?

I won’t watch if he leaves.

Idol and X-factor are almost identical, aren’t they? In the UK they have X-factor but no PopIdol anymore, right? (I really don’t know.)

My guess is that it will indeed be that: Season 10 of American Idol will actually be Season 1 of X-Factor USA – starting in fall 2010 or winter 2011.

This idea seems the most co-operative with FOX. The alternative is that Simon debuts X-factor on another network and the shows compete.

It is weird that none of the judges have been even close to what Simon is on AI. I basically listen to Paula, Kara, and Randy to hear if they liked it or not and that’s it. The actual words they say are virtually irrelevant and often really irritating because all three of them say stupid things. As rude as Simon is, he’s really the only one who says anything of any substance worth listening to.

I think that shows like this are a dying breed. I say they all ought to ride this while it’s still in the top 5 then bail. Go out almost on top. It’s unprecedented for a show to remain on top for as long as it did under the circumstances. If any of the original triumvirate plus it’s trusty unflappable host leave, it will be a death blow to the show.

Simon should remember that adage about birds and a bush…… Hell aren’t most of us bored at work? It pays the bills though.

Truthfully only Ryan and Simon are irreplaceable, but it just wouldn’t be fun to not have Randy and Paula to poke fun at. Now if they did just merge into the other show, I actually think Randy and Paula would make awesome mentors. Especially Randy. He might not be articulate, but he’s an awfully good producer.

Anyway, I love Simon. While I’ve always enjoyed the show, and have my favorite contestants, Simon is the show for me. My mom pesters me about it because she thinks he’s mean. I tell her he just plays that character on teevee. I think he’s a softy.

It is weird that none of the judges have been even close to what Simon is on AI. I basically listen to Paula, Kara, and Randy to hear if they liked it or not and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s it. The actual words they say are virtually irrelevant and often really irritating because all three of them say stupid things. As rude as Simon is, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s really the only one who says anything of any substance worth listening to.

Suzanne: you are right in that Simon has steered away the attention from all of the other judges, and this is exactly why I want him to leave. Paula has for the first time, beginning to make sense, and I would attribute this more to Kara coming on board than other things. Randy as incoherent as can be, still has good ideas and I think he can step it up if Simon leaves. Simon was good in the first few seasons, not anymore. These days, he seems keen only about his pocketbook and displaying extreme cynicism and/or favoritism towards these young kids. I did not even know that the prize for winning the British Talent Show would be to sing to the Queen – extreme silliness in my opinion, and only the British can come up with such outrageous servitude. I cannot see such rewards work in America, so he is better off judging his own people. I truly feel sorry for Susan Boyle that she is doing all this to sing to a queen. oh boy! when was the last time we read about such things in our history books!

IMO X-factor is better then idol. You have groups, all ages and the singers each performance have a concert with props and sometimes dancers. It is more realistic. Plus they have the judgers metoring them with advice on song choices and more. I would replace Kara wiht Sharon Osborn though

Bring in Dicko to replace him.

My thoughts exactly. I actually liked him on The Next Great American Band.

But yeah, Idol absolutely would not be the same without Simon Cowell.

Eh, they could replace him with someone like Quentin Tarantino and the show lives on another 8 years.

I’ve been saying since even before the season got underway that I thought all the changes in Idol for Season 8 were part of a systematic plot (not unlike the whole anti-government “starve the beast” meme) to undermine the Idol franchise so that Simon could launch his “X Factor” franchise over here.

Simon’s getting bored; we’re getting bored. It would be nice if the show went out with a bang instead of a whimper. Season 10 seems ideal to be the last season of American Idol. As long as there’s something bigger and better waiting in the wings to replace it, the vast majority of the audience should be happy.

This of course means they need to walk a fine line during the next two seasons of improving the show over this year (that shouldn’t be hard) and keeping it from being so good that nobody can let go. I have no doubt that the diabolical geniuses at 19E can figure out how to do that.

Wow. AI is the only show I really watch. If Simon leaves, I’d be curious how they’d try to continue without him, but most likely it’d tank.

I don’t even know what the X-Factor is. Is that kind of like AI, but with video diaries and stuff? I don’t get it.

I completely agree with the folks who would be happy (or not be sad) to see Simon go. His self-indulgence and ego are getting really old. I like the idea of Dicko as a replacement. He was great on The Next Great American Band. Even David Foster would be a good replacement and he certainly knows the American music business.

If Simon leaves the show will go down the hill very fast

In all honesty, AI will be complete and utter shit without Simon.

Nooooo, not David Foster, LOL.

Dicko would be great in Simon’s place if it should come to that. But I would miss Simon.

I do think the show would suffer a great deal without him. Boy, if Simon scans this blog, his head will grow even bigger!

I really can’t see Idol surviving without Simon. At the very least, he’s always good for a snarky soundbite that’ll make headlines the next day.

I’m not all that familiar with X-Factor but from what I’ve read here, it’ll be interesting to watch it unfold and see if it works here. With groups and all ages, it at least opens up the talent pool a bit more.

Even David Foster would be a good replacement and he certainly knows the American music business.

Well there’s a guy with an ego as big as Simon’s, LOL! Foster has undoubtedly spotted some amazing talent in his day, but he would turn American Idol into Adult Contemporary Idol. They’d never win back that younger demo they’re constantly trying to hold onto.

Seriously, the only way I can see the show going on without Simon (and I think it’s very risky, given that AI cannot continue indefinitely–how many “Idols” can the over-saturated music industry absorb?), is if Simon handpicks his successor.

Who is the modern day American who is like Don Rickles ? ( see his remark to David Letterman : “Who did your outfit ? Stevie Wonder ?” )

That would be a great Simon Cowell replacement.

It’s obvious that all of them–Simon, Randy, and Ryan especially–have become bored by the Idol process and have developed a somewhat condescending attitude toward the contestants. A change of scenery may do everyone some good.

If The X-Factor is brought to the US, they should definitely bring Randy on board. For all the flak he gets for his vapid judging, he’s a good musician and producer. I can imagine him being a strong mentor for young bands and/or R&B-type singers.

For Idol S9, move Kara into a full-time mentor role. That lets her keep a job and gets her away from the judges’ table. It also diffuses the Kara/Paula rivalry. Whoever does a good job during AI: S9 can have the third spot with the X-Factor. I would lean toward Kara because she’s a songwriter and that gives the show an instant route to a coronation song.

I love the Idea of Doing the X Factor on USA. The show is more entertaining, and broad.

Maybe they can have a American Idol 9 as the last season, and next year start with the X Factor.

I’m not a big Simon fan, but he is important to the show, obviously. After reading this article, I could understand him leaving idol. He can’t do all these shows on this schedule forever, and if anything is going to give, it sounds like it would be idol. Simon has always struck me as more a business man than anything and if there is larger profit to be had elsewhere, then I can definitely see him moving on. I have NEVER watched because of the judges–I’ve watched because of the potential to see real talent realize itself in front of a national audience. It can be thrilling to watch. But Idol seems to have lost something, not sure what. It feels incredibly controlled and predictable at this point. Almost nothing feels like a genuine moment anymore. I would be curious to see if they could bring someone else in, but I’m not sure the majority of viewers so hooked on Simon’s “criticism” would go for it.

I’m not going crazy over the Susan Boyle thing like a lot of people are, but it is interesting that a couple of contestants from that show have generated so much excitement, even internationally. I know Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are two different animals. And Britain and the US are different countries. But I must say I was a little envious of the British audience to have that moment of “discovery” and surprise. I’ve had a few moments like that on Idol over the years. But this season in particular has felt incredibly choreographed.

If Simon left, I’d want to see someone who knows more about the industry and music history here which means an American pretty much. Simon has trouble with some of the themes because he didn’t grow up listening to the music here. I even have trouble sometimes because I spent my teen and 20s/30s in Canada where there’s a Canadian content law on the radio. A lot of bands that were huge there didn’t make any impact here and vice versa.

Well, there’s a new show right there. Audition potential judges for American Idol…

But this season in particular has felt incredibly choreographed.

Yeah, for me too. Even with Allison and Kris coming out of nowhere, its like it took TPTB too long to move on from their pre-ordained favorites. They’ve been really stubborn this year… Lil was over a long time ago, and Megan never really got started. And don’t even mentioned the uber Danny pimpage, which is JUST starting to show signs of stopping. Blech.

I would give Idol a chance without Simon, maybe half a season. But if they can’t replace him I’d probably move on after that.

ETA: I could get into an X-factor like format if they added the ability to play original songs somewhere in there, and found other ways to make the contest a bit more relevant to today’s music scene.

David Foster? How fast can I turn off my tv??

They say that no one is indispensable. The exception for that is Simon Cowell on American Idol. Indispensable.

I wouldn’t mind at all if Simon left. But they need someone great to replace him.

Not David Foster, he’s too abrasive.

It doesn’t have to be someone mean, but someone colorful, accurate, honest, and with charm and charisma.

p.s. The judges at Dancing With the Stars are a good example of judges who are fun to watch but not mean-spirited and don’t make you cringe. Len and Bruno are superb judges, extremely sharp, honest, and interesting to watch. Simon is not the only such person in the universe.

I do like the removal of the maximum age limit (what is the minimum age for X Factor?) though.

Wow, Simon’s seem to have brainwashed a lot of people to think he is the only one, who can do the job.
There are a lot of Idol franchise shows in other countries, where other people play the same role.
He maybe the prototype, but it could be time for the next, improved generation.

On second thought, maybe AI has run its course. I do agree it’s gotten really predictable and that equals BORING. I can only imagine how bored they must be — and Simon has looked extra bored (especially when you see the stark comparison of him looking alive on the British shows).

Bring on the X-Factor — the more I hear about it, the better it sounds. Kind of like a fixed up AI, so we still get our fill.

Another idea I had is if they kept AI running on the side… morph that Ozzy show into Idol and have the Osbornes as the judges. I’d love to see Ozzy himself take Simon’s place, next to Sharon and either Jack or Kelly. :laugh_tb:

David Foster? From what I’ve seen on — what was it? — Celebrity Duets (which apparently used the Idol set during a summer “downtime” period and got Wayne Brady prepped for DFTL) he may have the gravitas of s Simon, but not the star quality. He also comes across as being a no-fun-at-all party pooper.

With Simon’s apparent boredom with Idol, and this new information about the potential economic advantages of leaving Idol, and the tinkering that’s being done with the judging on Idol, it seems more and more likely that he will leave and soon. He’s no fool, he’s made his millions, and he can take such calculated risks.

Idol is still strong, although the ratings are coming down. I call it a market correction .

It’s now an engine to promote current pop artists (along with Ford and Coke and Fox product) as much, if not more than a machine to grind out the next “superstar”. The “contest” is a subterfuge.

The judges at Dancing With the Stars are a good example of judges who are fun to watch but not mean-spirited and donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make you cringe. Len and Bruno are superb judges, extremely sharp, honest, and interesting to watch. Simon is not the only such person in the universe.

Len and Bruno are fun, but let’s not forget Carrie Ann. She is usually articulate, on-point and is refreshingly light-hearted when appropriate. The three together are a fairly well-balanced triad.

The original Idol judges are an interesting, and nearly iconic, combination, although not quite analogous to another iconic trio to whom they are frequently and derisively compared — the Three Stooges. The three stooges at their best were Mo/Larry/Curley, but while the group could survive several iterations without Curley with another competent stooge replacement, as long as Mo-Larry-and the shtick were in place, it was good. But the new Stooges’ are not time-tested vaudeville, but a TV show judges panel where Simon Cowell is in the driver’s seat. He’s the main ingredient and it’s more/less irrelevant who else is on the panel with him.

At this point, Ryan might be equally important to the show primarily because of his opportunities for cross-promotion since he is EVERYWHERE more than his ability as a competent host. Frankly, he seems a bit bored as well.

Idol will survive without Cowell. Just as The Tonight Show survived without Johnny Carson, This Week without David Brinkley, NighLine without Koppel, and Meet The Press did without Tim Russert. It’s a mega franchise and a branded show. The brand promise is to find the next American Idol. It’s still #1 -despite a decline in viewership. Sure, Cowell and Ryan provide a familiar anchor and format for each revolving new cast of characters. And yes, the show will be different, but it would not end without him. Just like Idols can be replaced each season, to some extent. That’s why the show is American Idol not Cowell’s Hour of Power. Everyone is replacable – even Cowell. Because it’s bigger than Cowell. Sure, it will have to be some dynamic, but again, the viewers will still tune it.

Well, thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a new show right there. Audition potential judges for American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Now that’s a show I’d pay to see. :jittery_tb:

I think they should replace Simon with Zack Werner from Canadian Idol. He’s a musician himself, besides running his own label and being an entertainment lawyer. He’s opinionated, but way more specific with his criticisms than Simon. He has much broader taste in music than Simon. Simon’s lack of ability to recognize good rock music, for example, drives me crazy. Canadian Idol is on hiatus for now, so Zack should have an opening in his schedule!

If Simon leaves, Idol’s days are numbered (*crosses fingers*). I’d give it two years after that. It’s not that Simon is irreplaceable in terms of what he actually does. But, it’s all about perception, and when Simon moves on, America may feel it’s time to move on too. AI will be delineated into the time period before and after Simon, and huge swaths of the existing audience will talk about how they “stopped watching it after Simon left”, and the audience will erode rapidly, and Fox will mercifully pull the plug.

With any type of “change”, if it is managed well then this can be weathered. If Fuller and 19E manage this potential PR crisis, Idol the franchise can remain intact. This could mean a 2 year change over or succession. Again, it’s the #1 rated show. It hasn’t even fallen to #2. Yes, it will be different. But this happens in corporate America all the time. This is what is meant by succession planning. Publicly traded companies with high-profile CEOs always have an hier apparent. Idol is a business: touring, music, and royalties. He’ll find a way to survive without Cowell. We have no idea what the behind the scenes are.Neither Fuller nor Fox will want to lose this cash cow. Fuller is many things, dumb is not one of them.

If Adam wins the show this year, how in the world will anyone else in future shows top that as far as Simon would be concerned. Simon gets bored easily and maybe with Adam winning will be a good time for Simon to leave.

I think a lot of things from x-factor would be an improvement on AI. One example is the possibility in one show to sing their original songs if the contestants are authors as well.

And the change in format could be the good excuse to change the judges who don’t add much (I think I would keep only Simon and maybe Paula).
A good judge can make a lot of difference, and it would be great to have a good musician/singer on the panel.
For example I watched sometimes the Italian version of x-factor, and know that most people tune in because of one judge (his name is Morgan, even if no one here will know him! ) who not only is a well known musician, but also quite a good speaker and an erudite guy (on music and literature).

Having said that, I still love to follow my AI for the time being

This is a good solution to this season’s mess:

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/american-idol-how-to-condense-the-show-to-20-minutes–254

But I’d go further and cut the DG out and let Adam perform twice.

Simon gets bored easily and maybe with Adam winning will be a good time for Simon to leave.

That would actually make for perfect timing.

Adam stands out this year amongst a cast of relative non-stand-outs, but it remains to be seen whether he will go down in history as the greatest Idol who ever Idoled let alone win the competition (although he likely will.)

Len and Bruno are fun, but letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not forget Carrie Ann.

Ah but I want to forget her.