Simon Cowell to Quit American Idol in 2010

Simon Cowell will leave "American Idol"

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has decided to quit the top-rated TV talent show when his contract ends in 2010, according to a report in British tabloid The Sun, which would deal a blow to the Fox network. Cowell, 50, has been with the TV juggernaut since the start of "American Idol" in 2002 but his contract expires after the end of Season 9, which starts in January and ends in May 2010, and in the past he has hinted at being bored with his role.
His insults to tone-deaf singers are a key factor in luring viewers to the competition that over the past three years has seen its ratings slip, and this season already sees the departure of another original judge, popular Paula Abdul.

Cowell's brother Tony, who hosts a weekly radio podcast called "The Cowell Factor", said in a broadcast on Tuesday that Simon was preparing for his last season of "Idol".

"A press statement is being prepared which will confirm what everyone expected -- Simon will leave 'Idol' at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of 'The X Factor' to US TV in 2011," Tony Cowell claimed, according to Britain's Sun newspaper.

The Sun, like Fox television, is part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp media empire. The podcast could not be found later on Tuesday. The Sun report said Tony Cowell had "blurted out the claim" and that the podcast had since been removed.

Cowell's publicist and the Fox network in Los Angeles, where "Idol" is produced, both said they had no comment on the reports. Cowell, who has his own record label and produces three other TV talent shows, hinted repeatedly earlier this year that he was growing bored with his stint on "Idol".

Abdul quit earlier this year, and she will be replaced on the upcoming season by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

While still America's most-watched TV show, "Idol" audiences slipped in 2009 to an average 26.3 million per twice weekly episode from a high of about 30.8 million in 2006.

Cowell, one of the biggest earners on U.S. television, spoke in a British magazine interview earlier this month of his plans to bring his own "The X Factor" British talent show to Las Vegas in a global pay-per-view Internet venture.

American Idol 2010 Season 9 Premiere Date Revealed

Fox has announced the premiere date for American Idol 2010!

Season 9 of Idol will debut on Tuesday, January 12th at 8pm (ET/PT) with a 2-hour launch followed by a 1-hour episode the ext night, Wednesday. After that American Idol will air each Tuesday and Wednesday night with a 1-hour episode.

Don’t forget that Paula Abdul will not be returning to the judges’ panel this season but will be replaced by Ellen DeGeneres. Welcoming Ellen will be Simon, Randy, and Kara. But before Ellen sits down to join them there will be many guest judges to help across the country for the audition phase.

Excited for the return of American Idol? Sound off below with what you are looking forward most to seeing this new season!

American Idol and 24 will return just days apart in January

Fox Lines Up Midseason Premieres
American Idol and 24 will return just days apart in January, Fox announced Tuesday in unveiling its midseason schedule.


Idol's ninth season — the first with Ellen DeGeneres taking over Paula Abdul's seat at the judging table — will premiere Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 8/7c. Wednesday's first Idol episode will be followed by the series premiere of the new reality show Our Little Genius. The quiz show will then move to Tuesdays at 9/8c the following week.

As previously announced, 24 will return for a two-night premiere on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 9/8c and Monday, Jan. 18 at 8/7c before it replaces Lie to Me at Mondays at 9/8c for the rest of its run. However, Fox announced it has picked up the lie-detecting drama for the rest of its second season and the show will return sometime in the spring.

Lie to Me isn't the only show fans will have to part with, at least temporarily. Freshman hit Glee will take a four-month-long vacation following the show's Dec. 9 winter finale. The musical dramedy will move to Tuesdays at 9/8c when it returns April 13. Glee's extended break is at least partly due to its shooting schedule, which won't resume until January.

Fox will also use January to close up shop on the recently canceled Joss Whedon series Dollhouse. Dollhouse's final new episodes will begin Friday, Jan. 8 at 9/8c before the series finale on Jan. 22. Instead of 'Til Death, Dollhouse will air encore airings of Bones. However, the Brad Garrett comedy will come back sometime in the spring. After Dollhouse's final bow, the new season of Kitchen Nightmares will take over on Jan. 29 at 9/8c following House encores at 8/7c.

Watch full episodes of Dollhouse

Fox has three new scripted series premiering in early 2010. Human Target will debut first, with a preview airing on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 8/7c before the series' official premiere Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 9/8c following Idol.

In February, Fox will bench ratings struggling sophomore drama Fringe for seven weeks following its Feb. 4 winter finale. New series Past Life will take over Fringe's Thursday 9/8c timeslot the week after it's two-hour series premiere, Thursday, Feb. 11 at 8/7c. Fringe will return Thursday, April 1 at it's regular time.

New family comedy Sons of Tucson will premiere Sunday, March 14 at 8:30/7:30c. The live-action comedy will will step in for The Cleveland Show, which will move to American Dad's 9:30/8:30 spot. American Dad is set to return at a later date. The animation block's longest running staple, The Simpsons will celebrate its 450th episode with a very special episode Sunday, Jan. 10 at 8/7c, followed by "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: in 3-D! on Ice!" at 8:30/7:30c.

Are you excited for Fox's new shows and the new seasons of American Idol and 24? Will you miss Glee and Lie to Me?
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