Surprise, surprise. Well not really. After Simon Cowell announced that this season of American Idol would be his last there was much discussion on not only who would replace him here but who would join him on his new show, The X-Factor.
Of course the most obvious choice to join Simon on his new show would be his ever-popular, ex-judging partner, Paula Abdul. Looks like the rumored game of “ditch Randy” may have had its merit, according to THR:
Cowell is in discussions with his former “American Idol” co-star Paula Abdul and his current “X Factor” U.K. co-star Cheryl Cole for judging positions on the show, which launches on Fox in fall 2011.
Hiring Abdul and Cole would assure a certain degree of comfortable chemistry between Cowell and other judges on the new series.
Abdul in particular would allow Cowell to reform the heart of the longtime “Idol” judging team, which was split when Abdul quit the show in August amid contract dispute.
It’s absolutely brilliant. Simon said he wanted to go out and try something new after Idol. So he’ll be on a talent contest television show as a judge with Paula Abdul and one other judge. This sounds so crazy it just might work!
What do you think? Should Simon start up with a whole new judges panel or is Paula the perfect choice to bring in that fan base who can’t wait to see her again?
Update: A quick check to see who is this Cheryl Cole (not to be confused with the similar sounding Sheryl Crow) and I think if Simon gets her on the US version it could be a show about boiling live kittens and bunnies and it’ll have top ratings.
Update 2: Initial report that Simon has already signed Paula to join X-Factor though the source has no official source itself so take this one with a grain of salt. However, I’d say it’s just a matter of time before it does happen if it hasn’t already. – hat tip to Ashley
Love Paula & Simon,forever!
Hey Matt! I read an article last night that said Paula accepted Simon’s offer of $4.5 million for the X-Factor.
@Ashley: That’s awesome. They’re going to make this new show huge and good for them.
Now what I can decide is if Fox will continue to run Idol, drop Idol, or stagger Idol and X-Factor. These shows will be too similar for audiences to have at the same time. Fox would do well to put Idol in the fall (Sept – Dec) and then X-Factor could have Idol’s old spot (Jan – May). I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Oh, and the $4.5M is hilarious because that’s less than the $5M Idol offered her and she walked instead. Go figure.
Matt, I will have to find the article I read last night but I believe it said the X Factor would start fall of 2011 and Idol still in the same spot. And I did find it amusing that Paula took less. She wanted $20 million to stay on idol.
Ah, so X-Factor will go to the fall and Idol will stay put. Yeah, probably a good idea not to mess with Idol too much considering everything already going on there.
Maybe Simon offered Paula some profit sharing since he owns X-Factor. Or maybe she was just glad to have a job again!
ARGENTINA QUIERE A PAULA ABDUL COMO JUEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ARRIBA PAULA, SON TOTALMENTE INSIPIDOS LAS DEVOLUCIONES A LOS AUDICIONISTAS ESTE AÑO
Matt I think that Paula had in mind all along to join Simon for the X-Factor and just wanted out from Idol.She and Simon make a great pair, I really hope that it’s true. It would be a great move for both of them.They make the show interesting.I really miss Paula on AI.Looking forward to seeing them both together. Also I can’t wait until BB starts again.LOVE THAT SHOW !!!
We miss Paula in America Idol, I hope she could return to this 2010 TV show.
Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul…. these two are pure magic together!!!! The X-Factor will spell total SUCCESS!
WELL OF COURSE IT’S PAULA I THOUGHT EVERYBODY KNEW THIS, I DIDN’T HAVE A DOUBT AT ALL SIMON WOULD BRING HER ON.. THEY MAKE THE SHOW….
EVEN SHANIA AND SIMON WOULD BE A GREAT TEAM
OH bring it on she is such a mad mad person can’t string a sentance together i dont think it will work then again i watched idol to see what she came out with if she could ever know what comes out of her mouth but think x cole will be the best as she is young and is with the in crowd bring it on
sorry just read some of the coments .You all only watched to see Paula talk crap and make you laugh bring on the big C
Paula Abdul has great experience being a judge….by the way I found a website that give you prizes for your opinions and 4 play online games here is the topic about Paula: .. http://opinion.ezwingame.com/topics/will-paula-ab…
I imagine there are tons of somebodies like me, who come across assorted good blogs or websites by luck. Your blog appears to have got a good community and a positive blogosphere presence. Its healthy to hold interesting and contrary perspectives on issues.
You must be joking. American idol team is sooooooo much better with out Simon. Steve and JLo are brilliant – to bring back the inane Abdul would count me out of the viewers.
Paula will be so much better with Simon again. I don't like the gushy stuff from Steven and Jlo. Will be great to get more honest feed back about contestants, instead of nicey nicey all the time. Go Simon and Paula.
Fantastic. I just love Paula Abdul, she works well alongside Simon. Awesome, really looking forward to the XFactor, I am sure it will be better than AI.
Really remarkable post to hang on.. I am really amazed with this article. Looking forward for more info.