American Idol fans, start preparing those goodbye tributes: Simon Cowell announced today that this year’s ninth season will be his last. The irascible judge told the nation’s TV critics in Pasadena, CA that he will team with Fox to launch a stateside version of his popular UK show The X Factor in fall 2011. “We did talk about me staying on both shows but when we looked at the practicalities of that, it was impossible,” Cowell told the press. “In my opinion, it’s like having a good player and a good football team. The two have to be okay together. I believe it’s not my show, but it’s still very close to me. We made sure when we did this, that I would be protected. I’m confident it will continue to be the No. 1 show. Everyone is committed to keeping it that way.”
Like Idol, X Factor is a televised talent search that pits contestants against one another and the prize is usually a recording contract. The UK version was responsible for the launch of Leona Lewis, among others. The show divides contestants into four categories — guys, girls, groups, and singers of all ages — and already airs in many countries. “It’s a big, big production,” said Cowell, who literally signed his contract with Fox at the press conference today. “There is no upper age limit on X Factor and groups are allowed to enter. We gave ourselves time to set it up. It gives us time to work out who the judging panel will be.
“I’m doing X Factor in America because I believe I can find someone incredibly talented through this process,” Cowell continued. “This country, thank God, has got thousands and thousands of people still waiting to be discovered. I want to find a star at the end, I genuinely do.”
Cowell said he was offered more money to stay on Idol but it wasn’t about the cash. “I felt like doing something different,” he said. “I want to leave Idol this year bigger and better than it’s ever been before. Having already done the auditions, it feels fresh, it feels relevant. I like the contestants this year. This final year for me feels different. I never would have wanted to walk out when the show was No. 21 in the ratings. You want to leave on a high. It’s been a fantastic time. We’re going to do something new. America needs a different type of show.”
As for Cowell’s replacement, the Fox suits said they have plenty of time to figure out how to make up for the huge void. “We are not going to find a Simon clone to do what he does because he is one of a kind,” said Peter Rice, Fox entertainment chairman. “The reason we are making the announcement in January is to give ourselves time and allow people to come forward. We were frankly surprised at the enthusiasm in replacing Paula. We have to make sure the chemistry is as good as it can be. So I don’t think we will rush into that.” As for Ellen DeGeneres’ quip to EW recently about her threatening to bolt if Cowell leaves, Rice deadpanned, “I think she was making a joke.”
Speaking of Abdul, Cowell did have some promising news about the ex-Idol judge: ”I adore Paula. Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity because I miss her. You’re gonna have to watch this space!”
X Factor sounds the same as America’s Got Talent. Come on Simon…at least bring something NEW to America. That’s why Idol was as successful as it was.
X Factor is NOTHING like America’s Got Talent. AGT showcases mostly cheesy acts like you would see at a state fairs, beauty pageants, school talent competitions.
X Factor is much closer to American Idol, only better because it presents a much wider range of music than just a singer or singer-songwriter. For instance, all those singers that leave their bands to audition solo for Idol? …Now, the entire band can audition together and try to make it big. The contestants on this show are the caliber of contestant you will see in Idol finals, not the “everybody gets through” contestants you see on Talent.
You see the X-Factor last year in the UK? Idol calibur they were not. X-Factor is a win for big productions over legitimate talent.
I’ve seen “The X Factor,” and it’s not quite like “America’s Got Talent.” It’s purely a singing competition, but groups and older people can enter.
X Factor is a rip-off of Idol…pure and simple. I’m surprised that Fox and Fuller will allow him to do it…but he rips off a lot of TV shows doesn’t he? AGT is nothing more than Star Search or Amateur Hour reboot.
There are just too many singing contests out there…and the Sing-off this summer, with low ratings showed that Americans are getting tired of them all.
I doubt that Idol will have great ratings numbers & X Factor will cut into its audience. With both of them on Fox, the public will get tired.
Also, another different element to “X Factor” is that the judges mentor the contestants in one of four chosen categories. So not only do you have the competition between the singers/groups, but you’ve got rivalries between the judges to see whose acts get through. Simon has gone toe-to-toe with the judges on some occasions and the fireworks were fun to watch!
Ugh. Another judge-fest – that’s Idol’s biggest liability IMO. I don’t care about the judges and I hate the bickering so X Factor sounds like something I’d avoid.
There are rumors they’ve brought in Paula for X Factor. If that’s true I’m definitely passing on X Factor because the last thing I’m interested in is more Simon-Paula nonsense.
There was nothing new about Idol. It was a remake of England’s Pop Idol, just as America’s Got Talent was a remake of Britain’s Got Talent. It’s American television that has no originality, not Simon.
Just outta curiosity, is Pop Idol still on in the UK, or did X-factor replace or kill it off? I was wondering if this will spell the end for AI…
They felt that the voters were up to shenanigans with Pop Idol so they ended it and started X-Factor which includes the judges opinions with the votes…kind of like DWTS.
Simon and Nigel created Pop Idol and brought it here as American Idol. BGT was brought here as AGT by the folks who created it. So they weren’t “ripoffs” as they were created by the same people. But, I remember back in the early 1980s when Howard Stern was on WWWW (aka W-4) and he did an American Idol type show where local singers were brought in before a panel of 3 industry judges. One was usually an exec, one was usually a talent scout, and one was usually a singer (like Mitch Ryder.) So, in a way, AI ripped off Stern only 20 years later.
I watched the first season of X-Factor. I hope it’s changed a lot since then because I couldn’t stand it. It feels like way more of a reality show since there’s segments where the judges “train” the contestant to perform better. I agree with the poster that said that it feels more like AGT, since you’ll have acapella groups competing against old people or even dance groups. And much like AGT, you get to see far fewer performance per season by each contestant than you do on AI.
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On a more positive note, I’m actually glad Cowell is leaving Idol. He may have been the best judge on the show, but he’s quite mediocre compared to judges on Austalian or even Canadian idol. Some new blood will be nice. Now they just need to replace that non-sensical buffoon Randy.
X-Factor is like Star Search. They had groups on that as well. So it really isn’t nothing new.
They’re very different. I just don’t know how AI and XF can be on in the same year without causing fans to burn out and tune out. Fox should just kill AI and replace it with XF. AI has had it’s day, now bring on the “fresh face” that doesn’t have an arbitrary age limit, and allows groups. Maybe Simon will hire Paula as a judge?
I’d watch for the return of Paula and Simon. I was getting bored with AI and with Paula gone I plan on skipping it this year, but if X-Factor brings back the duo and mixes it up some, I’d be ready to watch again.
Darclyte — Totally agree. Too many singing shows. The public didn’t take to “sing-off”….there are too many dancing shows on TV too…The only reason the networks are going for these type shows is the cost is low compared to real creative drama.
American Idol wasn’t new, just a US verson of Britian’s Pop Idol. America’s Got Talent is the US version of Britain’s Got Talent. And now Simon is bringing X Factor here, 3 different shows with 3 different US versions.
I think Simon FULLER cocreated Pop and American Idol, not Simon Cowell. Cowell cocreated America & Britain’s Got Talent and XFactor.
Exactly right. People confuse the two.
Well I guess I’m watching X-Factor from now on. Simon made American Idol into the cultural force it is now and hopefully X-factor US can find some good singers; because the last good winner we had on AI was Carrie Underwood.
Simon should not leave. He is the most qualified.
Will miss Simon on AI.
And THIS… is the DEATH… of American Idol. (please read in your very best annoying Seacrest voice)
lmao…that was good
rofl very funny. and true.
lol nice..so true
Nah! There are several things FOX can do to replace Simon and still have a hit show:
#1 – His replacement needs to be British or Australian or some other nationality. Americans don’t mind listening to someone be rude if it’s in an accent we like.
#2 – His replacement needs to be as opinionated as Simon. Don’t have the same opinions, just need to tell it like it is!
#3 – His replacement needs to have Fresh sayings. As much as we all like Simon, his remarks are becoming stale and predictable. Find someone with new sayings, new phrases and Americans will fall in love with them too!
OR, FOX can do a Reality Competition to find the next AI judge. Let US pick who we want to listen to every week.
After Simon’s obvious Glambert pimping last season, I’m glad to see him go. I will not be watching X factor and Idol will be better off without him.
LOLOLOL…idol will be better off without Simon?!?!…what an idiotic moron this kristyn fool is!!! Without Simeon, and with faggot ellen, idol will fall on it’s face!!!!…and I can’t wait!!!!
Take your homophobia elsewhere.
Glad to see morons like you are able to type on a computer.
Faggot Ellen? That was so funny I almost forgot the idiotic meaning behind it! But I didn’t: You’re an idiot.
i had made up my mind not to watch this show this year because of the faggot Ellen Disgrace coming on board, I do like the show also I like Simon;;;;;
Well Simon did no favor to Adam by “pimping” him as you say. But it was a nice change to see Simon actually see a talent worth “pimping” about. Never seen him do that before. I doubt he would again. Standing O won’t happen again either. Bye Idol, w/o Simon there is NO Idol.
doesn’t Idol get like 100K applicants each year? 200 doesn’t sound like much to choose from.
I agree. That number can’t be right. Somebody fix that, will ya?
Should read 200,000
They should just cancel Idol after this season. Because it’s already gone downhill this season.
Um, how would you know? It hasn’t even started yet.
you’ve seen it already? Can I borrow your Delorean when you’re done?
Why would FOX cancel the #1 show in America?
Because it is NOT the number 1 show in America, that title belongs to a little show called NCIS
Shouldn’t be surprised, considering how long this has been in the works, but I kind of am. Hard to believe this isn’t going to end up killing Idol.
Yeah, I agree. Simon is one of the primary reasons I watch AI. it won’t be the same show without him. But he’s probably getting out at the right time…before it starts its inevitable decline.
Bring on Ben Folds, stat!
Yes, what Ramo said.
Absolutely!!! The sad part is that many people watch AI to see Simon Cowell be rude and scathing, at times, for no reason except that he was PMS’ing that day.
Totally agree Ben Folds was the best thing about that a cappella show. I think he would be a good dynamic for the show to maybe revitalize it since Paula is gone and soon Simon too. With the addition of Ellen the only original will be Randy.
Agree x 1 million!!!!
Ben Folds sits up there with Nina Garcia on the list of celebrity judges who are a) qualified b) articulate and c) know what they are talking about – and earn your respect because of it.
WHERE DO WE START THE PETITION? BEN FOLDS FOR AI!!!
My thoughts EXACTLY!!
200 is a typo. The X Factor received 200,000 applications last year.
Cancel Idol please
If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. If it’s still on, it’s because people are still watching.
Cancel Wendy’s comment please.
It’s about time. Maybe now they can find someone who understands what’s going on in the music industry today and not 10-15 years ago… or maybe Slezak and Kristen Baldwin can take over
SLEZAAAAK!!!! <3 A judge I can love.
Simon may be almost always right, but I really could careless abotu his depature, but I do think Idol will suffer.
I believe you mean you COULDN’T care less about his departure. Saying you could care less means you care a lot. Just here to help.
I love Slezak but that Kristen Baldwin with her so fake voice has to go. She is beyond annoying!!!
Yes, I realize there will probably be an announcement as to who will replace Simon, but, as of right now, the judging panel for “Idol” in 2011 is Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.
*vomit*
Cowell must’ve been laughing his azz off when they hired those two ladies. Fox helped him kill this show, he didn’t even have to lift a finger to gain leverage.
I knew it! The end of Idol is coming!
I was initially saddened by this news until I read about the X Factor US version – FINALLY I can audition for one of these stinkin’ shows!!
Signed,
A 35-year-old singer
AI will suck without Simon he makes the show its a shame X factor has more mentoring and that not the same as idol oh well cancel AI and just watch x factor!
I would recommend Anastasia Brown for the spot. She was excellent as the “honest” judge on Nashville Star. She was generally constructive, but could be brutal.
I recommend Anastasia Beaverhausen.
LOL Crispy. Hey man where you been? Have missed your witty remarks. Will and Grace anyone? LOL!
I’m still around! Mostly at the Avatar posts… there hasn’t been much Idol news lately. Can’t wait for the new season to start!
I can’t either. I heard there are alot of Adam wannabee’s on this season tryouts. Be orginal people, trying to be like someone else that has already been on Idol will get you laughed out of the room.