Just as I reported a while back, Simon Cowell is definitely going to be bringing X-Factor to the US in 2011, which means he will almost certainly be saying ta-ta to his judging spot on American Idol after this season.
Now I’m hearing Simon has been negotiating with Fox execs this week who are desperate to keep him on Idol, but apparently Simon has already made up his mind to leave and concentrate on X-Factor USA. If any of these execs actually watch the show, they’ll know that Simon’s decisions are usually final!
Cowell produces and judges X-Factor in the UK whereas on Idol he’s simply a judge. Bringing X-Factor over will mean more control (and more money) for the sharp-tongued mogul.
And while Fox are trying to assure audiences that Idol will go on without Simon, everyone knows that Simon is Idol and it wouldn’t be the same without him. Ellen’s going to have to make a big impression to convince me that it will still work if Simon goes. Luckily, we’ll still be able to get our Cowell fix when X-Factor starts in autumn 2011!
