Rumors have been circulating that Simon Cowell will soon announce that this will be his last season with American Idol. The infamous judge is purportedly looking to start an American version of his successful British show The X Factor and today, his older brother confirmed these rumors in his weekly podcast recording, saying, “Simon prepares for a new season of Idol, or should I say his last season of Idol — OK, I will, because it is.”
Tony Cowell added, “As I sit here in the sunny Caribbean with my family, a press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everyone expected: Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of The X Factor to US TV in 2011.”
Simon Cowell is an integral cog in the American Idol wheel. Sure, viewers tune in to see the latest talent America has to offer, but mostly, people just want to watch warbling, overconfident crooners get served a Simon Cowell truth bomb.
Perhaps the reason why Cowell is so appealing is because it’s hard to so savagely tell people what we really think of them and it’s refreshing to watch someone who can. On a daily basis, many of us are resigned to biting our tongues for the sake of propriety or other people’s feelings. We swallow down luke-warm lattes to save the feelings of the frenzied barista. We tip the hair stylist who cut off too much because – well – perhaps she was new. Each day, we dole out undeserved compliments, or tell white lies because it’s just plain easier to be agreeable. Simon Cowell, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to care enough about that stuff to cater to it. And his success on Idol proves that people like to watch someone eagerly distribute the jagged little pill of truth. Simon’s callousness is one of the reasons why American Idol is a ratings juggernaut. His shoot-from-the-hip-destroyer-of-dreams style is nothing short of admirable.
Cowell tells eager American Idol contestants when they’re overbearing, obnoxious or in one particular instance, when they have the “personality of a candle.”
And this is one of the things that has made Cowell a linchpin of American Idol; his uncanny ability to see into someone’s heart, find the truth they’re hiding from and share that painful truth with the them in front of millions of viewers. The show has become as much about seeing rising talent compete on a national stage, as it is about watching people cry after Cowell says things like: “You will never, ever, ever, ever have a career in singing.”
Now, with Cowell’s brother announcing that Simon is not renewing his contract, we are left wondering, how will the show fare and what will change after he leaves?
Will Idol attempt to replace Cowell and maintain the formula of cruel honesty? Will ratings plummet? Will Cowell’s new venture be a success? Since The X Factor is similar to American Idol, can both shows exist? Is Simon Cowell enough of a draw to make the difference? Sports Interaction has taken the liberty of posting X Factor odds on who will be the permanent female judge(s) if Simon Cowell brings X-Factor to the US. If you are so bold as to place a bet, choices include Paula Abdul, Tori Amos, Pink, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson.
Other Simon Cowell quotes, should you need them, include:
- “There are only so many words that I can drag out of my vocabulary to say how awful that was.”
- “It was a little bit like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger.”
- “It was a bit like ordering a hamburger, and only getting the bun.”
- “You’ve got to have a word with whoever’s dressing you.”
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