Middle Age Hollywood

Simon Cowell is apparently considering legal action after a website posted a list of the twelve X Factor finalists.

Simon Cowell has reportedly drawn up a list of over-used songs that X Factor contestants are banned from singing.

The judge is worried that viewers will grow bored of hearing the same songs, according to the News of the World. It is also reported that Cowell is becoming irritated by his favourite songs being "murdered" by hopefuls.

Banned songs include Kings of Leon's 'Sex on Fire' and two tracks by Paolo Nutini. The move is part of a series of on-going changes for the show, after previous clamp downs on sob stories and the recommendation that hopefuls should get dancing lessons.

The list of banned songs is:

Kings of Leon - 'Sex on Fire'
Jason Mraz - 'I'm Yours'
Paolo Nutini - 'Last Request'
Paolo Nutini - 'New Shoes'
Eva Cassidy - 'Songbird'
Snow Patrol - 'Chasing Cars'

X Factor 2010: Performances will be available to download each week



Simon Cowell has thought of a new way to monetise his X Factor show. The music mogul is reportedly planning to release each performance made on the show this autumn and fans will be able to download the tracks from iTunes.

The plan would see the ITV singing show follow in the footsteps of American Idol. On the hit Fox show, weekly releases of the contestants songs regularly top the iTunes chart, as do live versions of the group performances from the results show.

An insider told The Daily Star that Simon Cowell is hoping to boost the incomes of his flagship show, by releasing the tracks this autumn.

They said:

“Simon is determined to make this year’s show the biggest and the best yet.

“And he knows the best way to do that is by making each week’s live performances available for fans to download.



The source added: “In theory, they could take up every spot in the top ten for the majority of the run.

“There’s talk of having 16 finalists this time around instead of 12. And even when it gets down to the end of the show, the singers perform twice, making more songs available for fans.

“It would make it incredibly hard for any new acts to have an impact on the charts.

“Even the major artists would think twice about releasing singles in the lucrative run-up to Christmas.”

We don’t think Cowell will be allowed to dominate the charts in this manner though. In America, iTunes and Billboard don’t count Idol performances in their weekly chart and we think their UK counterparts would act in a similar way if Cowell pressed ahead with his weekly releases. However it won’t stop Cowell, ITV and the singers from raking in the royalties though….suddenly entering the X Factor became a whole lot more attractive!

Fans and bloggers aren't the only ones sharing their reactions to the news that Ellen DeGeneres is leaving "American Idol" after just one season. Fellow departed judge Simon Cowell and current host Ryan Seacrest have also revealed their feelings about the news.

Cowell, who left the show after last season, seemed to imply that he thinks DeGeneres is making the right move. "As I got to know Ellen, I grew to really, really like her," Cowell said in a statement to the Hollywood Reporter. "I have huge respect for her because she's always been in control of her own destiny."

Ryan Seacrest also dished his two cents on the comedian's unexpected exit. The host took to Twitter on Thursday night with nothing but kind words for his colleague. "Spoke with ellen d tonight aka @theellenshow‬. I will miss her on Idol. She's one of the kindest and most talented people in Hollywood," he tweeted.

On Thursday, Ellen announced her departure from the show in a statement she posted on her website. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for," she wrote. "I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on 'Idol' and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be."

In a conference call with reporters last night, Simon Cowell again threw cold water on rumors that Howard Stern would succeed him as American Idol's mean judge when he leaves the show next season: "I'm fairly certain that there hasn't been an approach at any time for Howard to do the show," he said. Furthermore, the next Simon "has got to have a lot of experience in the music industry — that's the most important thing ... [Howard] doesn't seem to fit any of the criteria. On these shows, judges have been replaced by personalities, and that in the long term will create problems — because you've got to be able to spot a star," said the person who currently sits at a table with music expert Ellen DeGeneres and has previously overseen the coronations of such world-dominating American Idols as Kris Allen, Fantasia Barrino, and Taylor Hicks.

SOURCE

TV's so-called Mr Nasty has been showing off his softer side. Simon Cowell reportedly presented new love Mezhgan Hussainy with a diamond ring on Valentine's Day.

The sparkler was immediately placed on Mezhgan's engagement finger, prompting speculation that the music and TV mogul has popped the question.

It all happened during a romantic dinner at Mr Chow in Knightsbridge.

The 50-year-old X Factor judge first met the Afghan-born make-up artist on the set of his other show American Idol.

It comes just over a year after he split from girlfriend Terri Seymour and two years after declaring he would never marry.

Simon is not the only star in the middle of wedding rumours. Lily Allen set tongues wagging after she turned up to rehearsals for the Brit Awards wearing a big ring on her left hand.

Source

MR NASTY Simon Cowell could soon become a knight…because he’s not so nasty after all.

The showbiz guru who is boss of telly’s X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent has also donated and raised millions for charity.


His song for the Haiti earthquake victims, Everybody Hurts, is ­expected to become the biggest- selling single of all time.


And leading politicians among his fans think it’s high time his ­“generosity and goodwill” were ­rewarded with the biggest gong of all.


With ten Facebook sites already dedicated to helping him become “Sir Simon”, it is now believed that a formal nomination has been sent to 10 Downing Street.


And Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who will submit names to the Queen for her Birthday Honours list in June, is likely to be firmly on his side. He is said to ­respect him highly.


A source close to the PM said: “Gordon is a good friend of Simon’s and admires all the work he does.


“I’m sure he would back any attempt to get Simon knighted – if it’s not in June, then in the New Year’s Honours list.”

Tory leader David Cameron is also said to be a supporter of Cowell, 50, who has backed Help for Heroes as well as scores of children’s charities.


Recently made patron of ­Children’s Hospices UK, he has also pledged to leave £90million to good causes in his will.

Charity


One Facebook fan said: “Simon Cowell does so much charity work, helping the poor in Africa and also helping with the RSPCA.


“He is a friend to animals as well as the poor.


“Nobody knows about all the great work he has done so I think this should be made public!”


In the past, Cowell has said he thinks his chances of a knighthood are “below zero” though “Sir Simon” would have a “nice ring to it”.


He said: “I never did all this to get a knighthood.


“I am very lucky to do what I do and I feel privileged.”


His Haiti single – released on download next Sunday and on CD the following day – will feature Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Susan Boyle and Robbie Williams.


A pal of Susan’s said: “If anyone deserves a knighthood it’s Simon. The work he does outside TV is phenomenal.”


Simon’s close friend and PR man Max Clifford said: “In the eight years I’ve known him I’ve seen the satisfaction he gets in giving a lot back in terms of charity. Becoming the hospices’ patron meant the world to him.”


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