Simon Cowell announced at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour that he is leaving “American Idol” after this year. Cowell is going to focus his new show the “X-Factor” which is essentially “American Idol” with a different name. Cowell has had success bringing his British shows to the states and making them popular. In Britain he had “Pop Idol” which became “American Idol,” the only show that seems to not be suffering from DVR.
Cowell also had “Britain’s Got Talent” and in America that became “America’s Got Talent.” The “X-Factor” replaced “Pop Idol” in Great Britain, but can it replace “American Idol” in the states? My answer is that I have no idea. I hate watching “American Idol,” but my wife loves it. I therefore get stuck watching it and just like any reality show if you watch it, it sucks you in. Am I sucked in because of Simon Cowell? No, but at the same time can the show go on without him?
“American Idol” breaks it down into two different sections. The first section is the audition process which I can’t stand. It’s more of a comedy act the first few weeks. You have the obnoxious contestant that thinks they’re great, but are really terrible. People enjoy watching them argue with the judges. You have the handicapped person trying to sing and then the judges belittling that person which apparently is hilarious, but it doesn’t really do anything for me. Then there are a handful of decent singers that may or may not make it to the competition.
Which brings me back to my question, can “American Idol” survive without Cowell? I don’t know. If you have amazing talent like Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood or Chris Daughtry as contestants, then maybe. However if you’re stuck with Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks as your stand outs then I could see it failing. That goes for “X-Factor” too I think.
In my opinion there are two reasons why Cowell wants to leave “Idol.” First, “American Idol” has got to be getting close to running its course. I think Cowell makes $36 million a year doing “American Idol,” but Simon Cowell owns “X-Factor.” If “X-Factor” is as successful as “Idol” then Cowell will be making much more.
I’m not so sure this is a bad move, because sooner or later “American Idol” is probably going to start to plateau. “X-Factor” probably won’t be the hit “American Idol” is, but it could be as big as “America’s Got Talent.” So in a way it could prolong Cowell’s career. What do you think? Please add your comments below.
This season I plan on tweeting live during “Idol” and preparing a weekly summary of each show, since I have to watch it anyway. Currently I have 6 followers; hopefully I don’t lose any.
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Bob Zerull is the Managing Editor of Zoiks! Online. He writes pop culture commentary, does interviews with bands, and reviews music and stand-up concerts. He also administers Zoiks! Online's Facebook page. Follow Bob on twitter at bzerull.
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