Monday, January 11, 2010
Simon Cowell is leaving "American Idol"
Fox execs and Cowell himself on Monday confirmed the acerbic judge's decision to exit the hit talent competish in order to help launch his long-awaited U.S. version of Brit TV sensation "The X Factor."
As now planned, "X Factor" will bow in fall 2011 on Fox , which means Cowell will be off the air for 16 months.
The real drama this season on "American Idol," even before its bow, has centered on the fate of Cowell.
The show is locked on Fox through at least 2011, but Cowell's megabucks deal with it expires at the end of this season.
At stake, of course, is the future of "Idol," perhaps the most important TV franchise in history.
"We reached an agreement formally at about half past 10 this morning," said Cowell, who signed his deal in front of critics at the TV Critics Assn. press tour. "Where we have come to and agreed is that X Factor will launch in America in 2011, with me judging the show and exec producing the show. Because of that this will be my last season on 'American Idol,' this year."
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