What a stupid idea when American Idol is still so huge....
Fox have just announced at the press conference that the coming season will be Simon Cowell's last on American Idol and that they be bringing X Factor over to the US starting Autumn 2011.
An announcement on the other judges for X Factor will be made "fairly soon".
The pockets of Mr Cowell will be INCREASINGLY LINED by this decision then.
"THE X FACTOR" TO LAUNCH ON FOX IN 2011
FOX announced today that THE X FACTOR will launch in the U.S. in the fall of 2011. Simon Cowell, who created and launched THE X FACTOR in the U.K. in 2004, will serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.S. version, which will be produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America.
THE X FACTOR is currently shown in 17 countries worldwide with a global audience of more than 500 million, and is the No. 1 TV entertainment format in Europe. Cowell will continue to serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.K. version. THE X FACTOR format is owned by Syco, a global music, television and film production joint venture between Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.
"I'm thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of THE X FACTOR, and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX," said Cowell. "We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this."
Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, said, "We have had a very successful relationship with Simon Cowell for many years, and we're absolutely delighted to continue our relationship with him. THE X FACTOR has been a massive success around the world, and we can't wait to bring it to the U.S. in 2011."
"THE X FACTOR has enjoyed an unparalleled success in its U.K. home market and globally," said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. "We are truly excited to bring it to the U.S. and look forward to building another entertainment franchise in the marketplace."
What a stupid idea when American Idol is still so huge....
IMAGINE THE GROUPS!
I wonder if Cherly will get the gig?
Other than that, who could be the judges?
EXCITING
Hey i'm Mollie, i love being a Saturday!! I love New York, going out for breakfast, Jack Wills, Gossip Girl and Nissan Figaros!
It's a decision completely motivated by the £££ signs in Cowell's eyes I think. But it's not really surprising when Fox would LOVE to have two huge shows (should the X Factor prove to be a break-out hit with Simon on board and Idol can pull in the viewers without him) because they'll swipe the board when it comes to ad revenue and ratings throughout the broadcast season now.
It's not a stupid idea at all really IMO, obviously Simon is taking advantage of using his own, quite similar, alternative to American Idol and relaunching an already massively successful show and putting some new life into it. I honestly can't think of how it wouldn't be successful, anyway American Idol is eight years old, there's no harm in shaking up the formula a bit.
How 'important' is Cowell to the US show, do you think? Does he dominate American Idol like he dominates the judging panel on X Factor? I've not followed it for a couple of years, but I'm talking more in terms of public perception in the US anyway.
His influence is very important on the show, I think. His name alone will give it phenomenal ratings, most likely. He's the same love/hate figure he seems to be in the UK too, but his tone is REALLY different on American Idol, it's because of the mentoring aspect, half of the performances he praises on X-Factor he would absolutely SLATE on American Idol... AI is still very much 'singing' based compared to X-Factor and there are so many more politics involved in the latter.
This is all a bit confusing though, as Mikey says Fox has AI on contract for three more seasons after the '10 season? Surely they can't cram in another three seasons of AI between Spring this year and Fall next year, overkill. And I don't think it would benefit EITHER show if they are running at the same time, but then again he could do Jan. to May AI and then Sep. to Dec. X-Factor, still would be overkill IMO.
If this launches in the Autumn of 2011 then that's the same time that OUR version of X Factor is on. Could Cowell do the both shows at the same time?
They are going to be running one after the other. American Idol will run as normal in January 2011 (for the first time without Simon Cowell) and then X Factor will start I'm guessing in September 2011 and be wrapped in time for American Idol to start again in January 2012. So yes I think OVERKILL is the answer.
This is very true - although I'm pretty sure Simon has done the old transatlantic return journeys filming the auditions for AI at the same time as X Factor before but as you say this is a bigger commitment and both the audition and live shows would clash and that's a considerable amount of time to be flying back and forth. Wonder whether they'll use this as an opportunity to move X Factor over here from the Christmas period? Or maybe Simon jump off board as a judge over here instead.
I can't see see ITV moving X Factor in the schedules. It's their most important show for advertisers in the run up to Christmas. Cowell leaving would be the only possible scenario I can see.
I'm glad we're getting American Idol on the same day this year. Well, the day after but less than 24 actual hours between broadcasts.
Last edited by Ellie; 11-01-2010 at 09:45 PM.
My first thought was "this is quite big news" but the more I think about it, I wonder whether it will actually lead to some kind of resurgence for the show as it is reclaimed totally by the American public with homegrown judges and, presumably, a bit more POSITIVE and "Isn't everyone GREAT" attitudes.Monday, January 11 2010, 20:35 GMT
By Neil Wilkes, Editor
Simon Cowell quits 'American Idol'
Simon Cowell has confirmed that the current season of American Idol will be his last.
The music mogul has quit the show after nine seasons in order to launch a US version of The X Factor in 2011.
Appearing at the Fox execs session at the TCA press tour today, Cowell confirmed that he would serve as judge and executive producer on the new series.
Cowell told reporters that it would have been "impossible" for him to continue on Idol alongside The X Factor. He also serves as a judge on the original UK version of The X Factor as well as Britain's Got Talent.
On his potential replacements on Idol, Cowell commented: "I've had the best eight or nine years of my life doing this job. The most important thing is [for Fox] to get someone who knows what they're talking about. I want to leave Idol this year bigger and better than ever before. I hope it'll be higher-rated than it was last year."
The new season of American Idol premieres Tuesday night on Fox.
Presumably it is a bit past its best anyway, so perhaps not. Ratings have dropped, yes?
That's Sinitta's job.
I just don't see the NEED for two...it's unnecessary. In the UK, the X Factor replaced Pop Idol/Popstars, there was a definite GAP in the market for it. But there's no way you could run the two alongside each other.
I know America (and now the UK seemingly) has a PLETHORA of DANCE shows, but they differentiate somewhat. The MAIN difference between X Factor/Idol is the mentoring aspect but quite frankly, who's going to CARE what category Cheryl Cole is given?
I really, really hope this all blows up in Cowell's face.
I don't know if the US will take to X Factor like Britain has
For one thing, it's all a bit end of the pier
Secondly, it's not all about the singing and if there's once thing Americans like, it's VOCALS
FEARLESS FEMALE
Americans do like their popular figures though who aren't necessarily the biggest talents, so I wouldn't be surprised if we gravitate toward something Jedward-esque when this US X-Factor does come to fruition.
I think they're reaching the saturation point with two big singing competitions on TV but I think it will end up working anyway, we have loads of dancing/singing/talent shows already, many of which are the biggest rated shows on television. And as much as Simon/AI bothers me sometimes, I'd actually love if one of these shows gives the industry another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood (sales wise) at some point soon.
Last edited by POP!; 11-01-2010 at 10:55 PM.
I don't think America is stupid enough (I know!) to fall for the X Factor schtich. The blatant non objective voting and comments from judges is the absolute worst thing about the mentoring. Still, I think they could also benefit from a bit of variety instead of just solo singers under 30. There's so much more talent out there.
I suspect a whole load of Boyz II Men/JLS type boy groups and maybe even some Rowetta-esque women with better vocals.
I thought I commented on this earlier, but clearly there's no post from me here.
WHAT A TERRIBLE IDEA. I think Cowell could flop a little here...
The fact that groups are now allowed adds a whole other dimension to the show now to the voting public, I think it also gives the contestants more flexibility to stray away from the standard fit that AI women and AI men are expected to be. Look how huge Daughtry has been, with that band he's eclipsed almost every AI winner and he wasn't even in the top 2 of his season.
Last edited by POP!; 11-01-2010 at 11:19 PM.
I'm with you Pop! Seems like a great idea to be, it'll shake things up and bring a new element to the US talent show circuit. I always got the impression the judges were a lot nicer in the US anyway. Cowell doesn't seem to say anything bad much and when did you hear anything bad from Randy DAWG Jackson or Paula?
I do get irritated by the daft judges voting in X Factor but overall, I think making them invest in the contestants is quite an interesting dynamic.
I'm sure Brandy and Piers Morgan are sitting by their phones waiting for the call. We'll probably end up with Sharon Osbourne and Elisabeth Hasselbeck![]()
Oh it'll do (more than) fine! AI (and Simon Cowell) have a staple audience and I don't think having two shows on air and running at two different times of the year will effect their loyalty. Whether or not these shows will spin off actual big selling recording artists is a WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY and I doubt Fox or Simon Cowell are as concerned with that...
By the way they are currently casting people for German's X-Factor which will premiere this soon.
I'm not so convinced that this will take over Idol
The Americans are used to the format of Idol, which is much better. If it ain't broke...
If it does become more successful, it will only be cause it has Cowell - talk about doing something "different"![]()
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