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

[jadedeath]

This is just all good new...

especially the part about Idol's ratings dropping.

Logan

[Diesel]

The loss of Abdul (as batcrap crazy as she is people still seem to like her) and Cowell (especially Cowell) will have a big effect on the ratings.

Wonder how much longer before Jackson jumps the sinking ship.

[KingBing]

Finally!!!

[Pondosinatra]

What's American Idol???

[arykmax]

Now if only American Idol would leave American Idol.

[masoud90]

I hope Paula joins Simon on the X-Factor tbh.

[Galactus]

I think they should stop Idol all together. I'm so sick of hearing about this nonsense... Idol this! Idol that! i mean who gives a shit? they don't pick the people who have talent anyway (Chris Daughtry anyone?) so just ***king end it!

/Rant

[toef]

Wait a second. I understand the ratings were down for the past couple seasons, but it's still the highest rated show on TV (and has been for 5 years running). Anyone thinking the show will just suddenly disappear is crazy.

It'll be interesting to see how Simon's departure will affect the ratings, but that's still a year away. If anything, knowing that this is his last year might boost this season's ratings.

I think this is another time for everyone to take a step back and realize the world doesn't revolve around them. Don't like American Idol? Great, have a cookie. But 25-30 million people still watch it every week. I'm guessing you don't like Jay Leno either?

TV's a business, and good ratings are good business, whether you personally like the show or not.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by toefer

Wait a second. I understand the ratings were down for the past couple seasons, but it's still the highest rated show on TV (and has been for 5 years running). Anyone thinking the show will just suddenly disappear is crazy.

It'll be interesting to see how Simon's departure will affect the ratings, but that's still a year away. If anything, knowing that this is his last year might boost this season's ratings.

I think this is another time for everyone to take a step back and realize the world doesn't revolve around them. Don't like American Idol? Great, have a cookie. But 25-30 million people still watch it every week. I'm guessing you don't like Jay Leno either?

TV's a business, and good ratings are good business, whether you personally like the show or not.

Since your referring this to me, if not then you made it pretty damn clear!

I don't want the world to revolve around me smart guy, im just tired of seeing your beloved show on EVERY ***KING CHANNEL!!!

And i don't have a problem with Leno, i just think its bullshit what they're doing to conan!

[toef]

Originally Posted by Blu Blood

Since your referring this to me, if not then you made it pretty damn clear!

I don't want the world to revolve around me smart guy, im just tired of seeing your beloved show on EVERY ***KING CHANNEL!!!

And i don't have a problem with Leno, i just think its bullshit what they're doing to conan!

It's not specifically to you, it's anybody who whines about not liking something.

Be realistic: American Idol isn't on every channel (it's on Fox... and old episodes are sometimes syndicated on... Fox). It's not on all the time (a couple hours a week from January to May... and then it's gone). And it's not my beloved show (I hardly watch it, other than during the audition episodes early on).

Just because you don't like the winners of the show doesn't mean it's pointless. The voting is dominated by young girls... who are also the same young girls that Fox is expecting to go buy the albums of whoever wins. It may not always work, but everyone involved in the show is making so much money off the show alone that CD sales -- if they ever come to fruition -- is just a bonus.

Sure, the show may not produce a huge star every year, but Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are legitimate stars (one pop, one country). Think of how many people have had hit songs on pop radio in the last few years, and how many never had a 2nd hit song. It's not easy to make stars, so why should anyone expect more out of American Idol? Not all 8 have become stars, but that's to be expected. Only one has arguably been a complete failure (the grey haired guy, whatever his name is).

Here's the top 10 rated shows from last year, according to Nielsen (numbers reflect % of households tuning in, in millions; average household is 2.59 people, if you care to convert to # of viewers):

1. American Idol (Wednesday) 14.4
2. American Idol (Tuesday)13.8
3. Dancing with the Stars (Performance Show) 12.0
4. NBC Sunday Night Football 11.7
5. Dancing with the Stars (Results Show) 9.9
6. NCIS: Los Angeles 9.8
7. NCIS 9.4
8. NFL Regular Season 8.8
8. Sunday Night NFL Pre-kick 8.8
10. The Good Wife 8.5

So the only things that even come close to American Idol, ratings-wise, are another reality/competition show that I assume you hate (because Dancing With The Stars is on every f***ing channel, and is on all the f***ing time), and a weekly football game.

The ratings for AI have a long way to go before Fox decides "they should stop Idol all together".

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by toefer

It's not specifically to you, it's anybody who whines about not liking something.

Be realistic: American Idol isn't on every channel (it's on Fox... and old episodes are sometimes syndicated on... Fox). It's not on all the time (a couple hours a week from January to May... and then it's gone). And it's not my beloved show (I hardly watch it, other than during the audition episodes early on).

Just because you don't like the winners of the show doesn't mean it's pointless. The voting is dominated by young girls... who are also the same young girls that Fox is expecting to go buy the albums of whoever wins. It may not always work, but everyone involved in the show is making so much money off the show alone that CD sales -- if they ever come to fruition -- is just a bonus.

Sure, the show may not produce a huge star every year, but Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are legitimate stars (one pop, one country). Think of how many people have had hit songs on pop radio in the last few years, and how many never had a 2nd hit song. It's not easy to make stars, so why should anyone expect more out of American Idol? Not all 8 have become stars, but that's to be expected. Only one has arguably been a complete failure (the grey haired guy, whatever his name is).

Here's the top 10 rated shows from last year, according to Nielsen (numbers reflect % of households tuning in, in millions; average household is 2.59 people, if you care to convert to # of viewers):

1. American Idol (Wednesday) 14.4
2. American Idol (Tuesday)13.8
3. Dancing with the Stars (Performance Show) 12.0
4. NBC Sunday Night Football 11.7
5. Dancing with the Stars (Results Show) 9.9
6. NCIS: Los Angeles 9.8
7. NCIS 9.4
8. NFL Regular Season 8.8
8. Sunday Night NFL Pre-kick 8.8
10. The Good Wife 8.5

So the only things that even come close to American Idol, ratings-wise, are another reality/competition show that I assume you hate (because Dancing With The Stars is on every f***ing channel, and is on all the f***ing time), and a weekly football game.

The ratings for AI have a long way to go before Fox decides "they should stop Idol all together".

You knockin' football?


Hmmm.... and for a guy who doesn't like idol you sure are defending the hell out of it why is that? you like it don't you? come on! come clean! and say it

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by toefer

Wait a second. I understand the ratings were down for the past couple seasons, but it's still the highest rated show on TV (and has been for 5 years running). Anyone thinking the show will just suddenly disappear is crazy.

It'll be interesting to see how Simon's departure will affect the ratings, but that's still a year away. If anything, knowing that this is his last year might boost this season's ratings.

I think this is another time for everyone to take a step back and realize the world doesn't revolve around them. Don't like American Idol? Great, have a cookie. But 25-30 million people still watch it every week. I'm guessing you don't like Jay Leno either?

TV's a business, and good ratings are good business, whether you personally like the show or not.

It obviously isn't going to be canceled (and people who think it will be in the immediate future are delusional), not when it will still be one of the highest rated shows on TV even if it would loose like 40% of its viewers. It is still king of the hill right now. But they have been declining, and I think once Cowell is gone they will go down a decent bit. But it'll still be on top.

I do, however, think the show will end sooner than it would have had Cowell stayed on board.

[mikejet]

At least he is riding one more season out. Not like that crazy drunk lady.

[Moefiz]

I think with Cowell leaving the rating will drop big time and I don't think Ellen can save it, most people tune in to see what Cowell and Paula interaction and with Paula not there the chemistry wouldn't be there..