14 DAY TRIAL // Before Paula Abdul announced that she would leave American Idol, the only ones who did not have one single reason to worry were host Ryan Seacrest, who had just renewed his contract, and judge Simon Cowell, who would stay on Idol as long as Idol stood on TV, it was being said. Reports have now emerged saying that one of the conditions Fox agreed to in order to have Cowell on Idol was to import British talent competition X Factor, MTV says, citing the Hollywood Reporter.
Cowell, it seems, has long been trying to bring X Factor to the US to very little success so far. Although it is one of the most popular shows of its kind back home in the UK, in the US, American Idol is the leader of the market. However, since Idol too is actually a spinoff of the original British Pop Idol, it is believed the Factor could also fare incredibly well with American audiences.
“Now Cowell’s X Factor might be invading American airwaves, where it could join Idol on Fox, according to the Hollywood Reporter. What’s more, ousted Idol judge Paula Abdul is rumored to be a frontrunner to assume a judging position on the new show. Yes, this is all as strange as it seems. The pressing issue, it would seem, is that Fox risks watering down its Idol brand by pairing the show with a similar talent competition. Perhaps as risky, however, is having Cowell walk away from Idol after his contract expires next year.” MTV says of the rumor that Cowell demanded a Factor import for him to stay on Idol.
Word on the street has it that, aside from Abdul, who’s being eyed as a judge for the show, Cowell might also bring original judge Cheryl Cole and talent manager Louis Walsh from the UK for the American version of it. What is not yet known, though, is whether Cowell too would act as judge should X Factor really come to the US – and how he would be able to divide his time in between two shows for the same network.
“Fox and Cowell are said to be in negotiations for a deal that would allow the judge to bring X Factor to the US, which has long been one of his wishes. The Reporter article states that the contract could earn Cowell about $50 million per season of Idol, with another $50 million a season from Factor if the show becomes successful. Now in its sixth season, the British Factor launched Leona Lewis’ career in 2006 and continues to be a hit show.” MTV further explains.
As of now, representatives for most parties named in this article (Fox, Abdul and Cowell) have either declined or not been available for comment.