American Idol - Bye, Bye Cowell

[Diesel]

Simon Cowell was a surprise guest at the Television Critics Association's Fox confab today. He just walked out to announce himself that the UK's huge hit talent search show The X Factor will launch in the U.S. in Fall 2011. But, way more importantly, he said this will be his last season on American Idol. "There's been a lot of speculation partly because we didn't have an agreement. We reached an agreement at half past 10 this morning. Where we have come to is X Factor will launch at 11 in 2011 with me judging and producing the show. So this will be my last season on American Idol." With that, Peter Rice played showman and trotted out Cowell's supposed contract. "And so we can bring a little drama to it, Simon is going to sign his agreement here. In about 10 seconds, there can be no speculation." Cowell went to the podium and indeed signed his new pact. Now there will be endless speculation whether American Idol, hose ratings have been smaller and smaller, and whose audiences have been greyer and greyer, can continue just as successfully without its judging superstar.

Full Story including info on X-Factor