Fox to order more 'American Idol'...with or without Simon Cowell - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-28-2009, 11:15 PM

Fox is near a deal to order more seasons of "American Idol" -- with or without its most popular judge, Simon Cowell.

The network's current contract with "Idol" producer 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia extends through the end of the 2011. But the network is working on a new deal that includes three seasons of "Idol," though that number could still change.

The announcement is expected to demonstrate Fox's commitment to its top-rated series, even as "Idol" faces its biggest challenge yet.

The "Idol" franchise has been rocked by rumors that Cowell will depart the show after the upcoming season as he prepares to bring his hit U.K. music competition series "X-Factor" to the states. Cowell's brother Tony announced Tuesday on his weekly podcast that Simon will leave "Idol" at the end of 2010. The move could have a double impact on "Idol" -- the loss of a key personality to the series, and the addition of another music competition program on Fox that may result in fewer "Idol" viewers.

But before anything is finalized at the network, the "Idol" judge still needs to sign his new contract with "Factor" owner Sony. Once that's out of the way, Sony will allow Cowell to make a deal with Fox to bring "Factor" stateside.

Fox would prefer to bundle a "Factor" agreement with at least another season of Cowell judging "Idol." But by quitting "Idol," Cowell could make his participation on "Factor" a bigger event. One potential compromise is that Cowell could take a smaller role on "Idol" in 2011 -- judging the Hollywood rounds, for example, but not the auditions.

Fox was originally planning "Factor" for the fall of 2010. But delays in the Sony deal have pushed the show to an expected 2011 premiere date.

The headline-making leak on his brother's podcast as the latest in a series of headlines speculating about Cowell's plans. Recently, Cowell and business partner Philip Green made worldwide news by telling GQ a bizarre plan to have "X-Factor" exist as a live Las Vegas extravaganza that would stream as an international pay-per-view event over the Internet.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...071472df55e5c2

Chocoholic · 12-28-2009, 11:21 PM

I think that as long as they can get someone decent and intelligent to take over, then the show can still go on. I watch for the contestants anyway.

catlover79 · 12-29-2009, 12:19 AM

I have to disagree with you here, Kristen. The jury is still out as to whether or not the show will survive without Paula (which I think it will) but I don't think it would without Simon. To many, HE'S the real star of AI. I for one wouldn't shed any tears if/when AI eventually folds. To me, all the contestants/wannabe contestants sound the same after awhile anyway.

Chocoholic · 12-30-2009, 01:09 AM

The show has produced quite a few stars though. Carrie Underwood being my personal favorite. She probably wouldn't be where she is today if it wasn't for American Idol.

I wouldn't mind seeing an end to most reality shows

AI is one that I do enjoy.

HuntingtonM15 · 12-30-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocoholic

Carrie Underwood being my personal favorite. She probably wouldn't be where she is today if it wasn't for American Idol.

She wouldn't. She tried and didn't succeed, and then Idol came along and changed everything for her.

catlover79 · 12-30-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

She wouldn't. She tried and didn't succeed, and then Idol came along and changed everything for her.

I do like Carrie, but to me she's the exception to the rule.

HuntingtonM15 · 12-30-2009, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I do like Carrie, but to me she's the exception to the rule.

I do like her, but over the past few years she has really developed a diva attitude which really puts me off. I was a big fan, but now I'm definitely just a casual fan.

catlover79 · 12-30-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

I do like her, but over the past few years she has really developed a diva attitude which really puts me off. I was a big fan, but now I'm definitely just a casual fan.

That's a shame. Why do all of these people get that "holier than thou" syndrome once they hit it big? It's terrible.

HuntingtonM15 · 12-30-2009, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

That's a shame. Why do all of these people get that "holier than thou" syndrome once they hit it big? It's terrible.

She also seems to be against wearing pants, or anything to cover her lower half these days (Cowboy Casanova video and other recent appearances).

catlover79 · 12-30-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

She also seems to be against wearing pants, or anything to cover her lower half these days (Cowboy Casanova video and other recent appearances).

Call it the Jessica Simpson Syndrome.

JulieSomoski · 12-30-2009, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

That's a shame. Why do all of these people get that "holier than thou" syndrome once they hit it big? It's terrible.

I agree about Carrie Underwood. She has seemed to develop a diva-ish attitude about it. Seems like one Idol that hasn't gone that route is Kelly Clarkson. She's always been pretty humble about her success, and still seems to care about her fans. Perfect example - she was fantastic at the AMAs, but unfortunately was overshadowed by other performances. She still continues to put out great music, and will always be my favorite Idol.

12-28-2009, 11:15 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Fox to order more 'American Idol'...with or without Simon Cowell Fox is near a deal to order more seasons of "American Idol" -- with or without its most popular judge, Simon Cowell. The network's current contract with "Idol" producer 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia extends through the end of the 2011. But the network is working on a new deal that includes three seasons of "Idol," though that number could still change. The announcement is expected to demonstrate Fox's commitment to its top-rated series, even as "Idol" faces its biggest challenge yet. The "Idol" franchise has been rocked by rumors that Cowell will depart the show after the upcoming season as he prepares to bring his hit U.K. music competition series "X-Factor" to the states. Cowell's brother Tony announced Tuesday on his weekly podcast that Simon will leave "Idol" at the end of 2010. The move could have a double impact on "Idol" -- the loss of a key personality to the series, and the addition of another music competition program on Fox that may result in fewer "Idol" viewers. But before anything is finalized at the network, the "Idol" judge still needs to sign his new contract with "Factor" owner Sony. Once that's out of the way, Sony will allow Cowell to make a deal with Fox to bring "Factor" stateside. Fox would prefer to bundle a "Factor" agreement with at least another season of Cowell judging "Idol." But by quitting "Idol," Cowell could make his participation on "Factor" a bigger event. One potential compromise is that Cowell could take a smaller role on "Idol" in 2011 -- judging the Hollywood rounds, for example, but not the auditions. Fox was originally planning "Factor" for the fall of 2010. But delays in the Sony deal have pushed the show to an expected 2011 premiere date. The headline-making leak on his brother's podcast as the latest in a series of headlines speculating about Cowell's plans. Recently, Cowell and business partner Philip Green made worldwide news by telling GQ a bizarre plan to have "X-Factor" exist as a live Las Vegas extravaganza that would stream as an international pay-per-view event over the Internet. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...071472df55e5c2
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12-29-2009, 12:19 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I have to disagree with you here, Kristen. The jury is still out as to whether or not the show will survive without Paula (which I think it will) but I don't think it would without Simon. To many, HE'S the real star of AI. I for one wouldn't shed any tears if/when AI eventually folds. To me, all the contestants/wannabe contestants sound the same after awhile anyway.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-28-2009, 11:21 PM	#2
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I think that as long as they can get someone decent and intelligent to take over, then the show can still go on. I watch for the contestants anyway.

12-30-2009, 01:09 AM	#4
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	The show has produced quite a few stars though. Carrie Underwood being my personal favorite. She probably wouldn't be where she is today if it wasn't for American Idol. I wouldn't mind seeing an end to most reality shows AI is one that I do enjoy.