Radar Online reports that Simon Cowell is negotiating a new multi-year deal with FOX that would allow Simon to bring the X Factor to the US and keep all of Simon’s shows exclusive to FOX.
Sources say it’s likely the X Factor would come to the US by the second half of the new season. The talks have also raised the possibility of Simon extending his role on American Idol.
See, I knew Simon’s goal was to become a media mogul. At 50, he’s not satisfied with sitting behind a judges’ table critiquing karaoke singers–no matter how much money and fame it brings him. He’s looking for power.
His new partnership with British retail tycoon Sir Phillip Green will help Simon in his quest to take over the world. Or at least the US. He’s already conquered the UK. Now it’s time to make his mark across the pond…
Also, the UK’s Daily Mirror is reporting that Simon is set to quit Britain’s X Factor to pursue new interests.
I would not be surprised if Simon signs a new deal that would keep on as an American Idol judge, with a bigger piece of the pie, in addition to producing the X Factor in Idol’s off-season…
Read more about the FOX negotiations at Radaronline HERE. More on Simon’s deal with Sir Phillip Green HERE. And the Daily Mirror’s report HERE.
I think having both Idol and the X-factor is overkill and will lead to talent depletion. A singing talent show twice a year? blech.
I hope only one would stay (x-factor
)
edit: let’s keep this thread on topic
God, how much pie is there?
Greed is gonna bite him in the butt when we all have had enough of his power trip, and I believe that day will come sooner than he thinks.
Look what Adam did to Simon. I think Simon is now more challenged to discover exciting, unique new talents.
What is the difference between American Idol and X Factor?
Simon owns the franchise over in Great Britain so he is really going cash in on this new deal when X-factor comes here.
I agree that having both may be a little much. I think American Idol, while ratings have slightly decreased, it’s obviously the biggest show in television. They should just stick with that. After all, they are the same type of show, even if they have some differences. I just think one of them is bound to fail and I’d hate to see American Idol fail because of another show just like it, regardless if Simon was on it or not. American Idol has become basically part of pop culture. It would just be weird to have two of the same shows.
X-factor goes from hollywood week, straight to the top 12 where the 12 contestants are split up into 4 groups of 3 each: boys, girls, over 25s, and groups…and each of the judges (there are 4 judges) is assigned a category to mentor and they pick their songs for them. Also, they only do a btm 2 and then the btm 2 have a sing off and the judges choose to eliminate one of the 2 (last year there was shananaganz with this process). Also, Cowell goes all out with the production of the music numbers- dancers, theatrics, pyro…you name it.
I might wet myself if Idol and X-factor are one each once a year. *drools*
Let’s all hope the new quest for power on AI doesn’t include veto power to overturn the public vote for anyone he’s not personally pimping. I’m kidding … that couldn’t happen…could it?! Nightmares commencing.
Yes, X-Factor divides up the competition, initially, with groups competing, younger contestants, older contestants, etc. Each judge is assigned one of these subgroups and becomes their mentor, getting much more involved in what they sing and how they sing it. For instance, last fall, Simon was mentoring a young male singer by the name of Austin Drage. Well, despite the fact the guy’s style is completely different from David Cook’s, he made the poor guy sing David Cook’s take on Chris Cornell’s version of “Billie Jean.” Just didn’t have the punch of David’s. He obviously hoped that Drage could repeat David’s success, but the big difference was David — as well as all Idols — picked his own songs; songs which suited him. When the judges get to pick, it certainly doesn’t always work out.
It scares me that Simon wants even more control over AI. He had enough influence over this past season and look what it got us! The show was all about the judges. They got to pick a portion of the contestants without viewer input; they got to save a contestant who was booted off; they got to mentor a contestant during top three, etc. I thought he was turning AI into the X-Factor already! And, with having an additional judge, they obviously had to talk more, meaning less music…. Oh! And let’s not forget the group lipsynching. Ugh.
Frankly, if he’s bringing the “X-Factor” over here, than they should revert back to Season 7’s rules regarding “AI” just to maintain some kind of distinction between the two shows. Keep “AI” about the *live* singing, about the contestants, and about the American public picking the Idol. Downgrade the judges.
I’m with Sassycatz. Let’s get a petition going! Nah, just kidding. That would be pointless. Besides, I’m way too lazy.
I think there could be room for two musical talent shows on US TV, but only if they were produced by different companies, with very different formats, and different resident personalities as mentors/judges, presenters whatever. They’d be in competition, striving to improve. This would be more like a monopoly.
I seem to recall, back in the UK some years ago, there was a series called “Fame Academy” (or something like that) around the same time as Pop Idol and both were popular, but very different in format. Fame Academy concentrated heavily on the polishing and training of the few chosen as worthy to compete.
I’d dread watching more of El Cowell on screen, in two series though. At least let him stay in the backroom.
I was hoping he’d quit “American Idol,” just as that editorial, dated June 6, 2009, on “What Not to Sing” recommended. They made a really good case for it.
I don’t think FA did nearly as well as Pop Idol though did it? It was a far better concept IMO, focusing on making the contestants better singers and performers, but I don’t think it really caught on with the public.
I much preferred Pop Idol to The X Factor, and would love to see it revert to the original format. But they are so similar that I don’t see the reason for having both on air, other than the opportunity it gives to older singers and groups.
The fact that the judges are actually competing in The X Factor is also worrying considering the rubbish we have to put up with on Idol when they’re supposed to be objective.
After seeing a clip of some freak show on AGT (last night), I’m not too impressed with Simon in any capacity. He’s basically a PT Barnum type who’s turned the old time talent competition into his gold mine. I’m not sure who provided American Idol with any class it still retains but it wasn’t Simon. How many similiar shows like Idol can Fox support before they burn out the concept completely?
The contestants. Not every one of them, obviously. But many of them.
I hate X-factor. It’s like having the judges on AI pimp out their fave contestant x100. I hate the fact that the judges also pick the song for their contestant as well as the big productions- everything. It’s them basically picking out a person who looks the part and molding them into who the judges want them to be as artists.
Yes, Simon does a horrible job. He basically picks songs that people have successfully done on Idol and chooses that song for the person. I’d bet that this year we will see someone do Mad World and/or Falling Slowly.
More complaints: they released Leona Lewis’s debut single as A Moment Like This! and the latest winner Alexandra Burke had Hallejuha (you know they were thinking of Castro’s version) except she diva-fied it with tons of runs.
hehe.. can anyone tell I really hate the whole premise of xfactor?
Yes, you’re right. Fame Academy only had one (or 2?) runs. Pop Idol was the more popular, but FA was a good idea, perhaps would have needed some polishing itself to get it into the big league. Perhaps it was too expensive to produce, as well.
What I find surprising is that America has some of the best entertainment people in the business, yet they allow a couple of Brits like Cowell and Green to take over what ought to be an American enterprise.
America’s Got Talent with 2 British judges….why?? Americans know what entertains Americans. I’m British by birth, but am not on the side of these show-biz vultures. :ponder_tb:
I personally think the world does not revolve around Adam.
Ah, Austin. What a heartthrob.
I love X-Factor formats more than AI
If he accepts the renegotiation to Season 14, he should be reduced to just a judging role on American Idol – he should lose all production power. He can do all that on X-Factor.
Meh, I don’t care about X Factor. The only reason I watched it was Cheryl Cole. She’s so pretty and has such a cute accent~~ If Simon will bring her to US with X Factor, then maybe I’ll watch it. HA!
Didn’t the UK used to have Pop Idol? And then it eventually disappeared once X-Factor came on the scene? It looks to me like Cowell is trying the same thing here. He wants the power and the money this will gain him. Say bye bye to American Idol if this comes to fruition.
After the second series of Pop Idol in 2003, ITV put the show on indefinite hiatus. This was because judge and music executive Simon Cowell wished to produce his own show, The X Factor, which he and his record label (Syco) held the rights to. In addition, Pop Idol’s second series winner, Michelle McManus, achieved little UK chart success, and ITV wanted a refreshed series (with more famous and experienced judges) of a similar format to take over à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ thus The X Factor was chosen as its replacement. The X Factor judging line-up was originally Simon Cowell, music manager Sharon Osbourne and Popstars: The Rivals judge and music manager Louis Walsh. This line-up was joined by pop singer Dannii Minogue in series 4. Osbourne departed The X Factor at the end of series 4, leaving Cowell, Walsh, Minogue and new judge Cheryl Cole (Osbourne’s replacement), who is part of the successful girls group Girls Aloud, created by Popstars: The Rivals. The X Factor has gone on to be one of the most successful reality TV series in the UK, with international spin-offs in countries including Spain, Australia, Denmark and Italy. In 2005, Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller filed a lawsuit against The X Factor producers claiming that the format was copied from his own show. The case was eventually settled out of court.
Source: Wikipedia
I ~think it had two seasons, though I only remember one contestant from either season – Lemar.
She’s the only thing that makes me consider turning off Strictly Come Dancing (which airs at the same time) and start watching The X Factor again. If they were to go back to Pop Idol and take her with it, while getting rid of Simon who I’ve lost all respect for, I’d be happy.
It didn’t disappear so much as turn into X Factor. IIRC it was almost marketed as basically the same show, but with a new format and new name. At least in the eyes of the casual viewer. Or maybe that’s just how I remember it since Simon was on both shows… We also had two seasons of Pop Stars (the second of which created Girls Aloud) but I’m not sure where they fit into the whole franchise
What exactly did Adam do to Simon?
Adam is fantastically talented, but I have no doubts there have been plenty of other fantastically talented contestants who were never given a chance in the past, either because they were “too experienced” or “too Broadway.” I know of a singer who went to the auditions and was told she was incredible but “didn’t need Idol” to make it big. WTF does that mean exactly? Obviously she did, and even somebody as talented as Adam did, as well. The dude was in L.A. for 10 years. He didn’t just come out of nowhere. Fortunately for him, and for all of us, Idol allowed him to proceed.
I love Adam, but I’m not buying that he’s the New Elvis. And even if he were, there’s room for a new Elton, a new Aretha, a new Dylan and a new Dolly. But that’s not primarily what American Idol is about, nor has it ever been. It’s about Simon’s and his fellow producers’ egos and need to make more money than God.