Simon Cowell

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Coldplay Wants Simon on Tour

Band invites Idol judge to surprise fans

(Newser) - Simon Cowell may be doling out his famously harsh feedback—on Coldplay’s current tour, the Mirror reports. “At the end of one song I want him to come on screen and say, ‘That was absolutely terrible!’” frontman Chris Martin said. The band will have to...

Will Abdul Kiss Idol Good-bye?
 Will Abdul Kiss Idol Good-bye? 
Dec 12, 2008 2:40 PM CST

Will Abdul Kiss Idol Good-bye?

Singer may leave show before new season starts, sources say

(Newser) - American Idol may not have Paula Abdul to kick around anymore, reports MSNBC's Scoop blog. Abdul, who seems perpetually ticked off at Simon Cowell and the show’s producers, doesn’t need them, anyway, says a friend: “Paula has a reality show on MTV and her jewelry line.”...

Cowell Gave Ex $10M 'Goodbye Gift'

$5M in cash and a Beverly Hills pad for Seymour

(Newser) - Though not bound by any laws, Simon Cowell gave his ex-girlfriend $9.6 million in “goodbye gifts” after she dumped him six weeks ago. Terri Seymour, who reportedly ended their 6-year courtship because he wouldn’t get married or have kids, got $5 million in cash and a $4....

Simon Didn't Want Kids: Mom
 Simon Didn't Want Kids: Mom 
Nov 3, 2008 11:01 AM CST

Simon Didn't Want Kids: Mom

Idol mogul's lack of desire to settle down sped split with Seymour, Ma Cowell says

(Newser) - Simon Cowell might have gone back to an old flame after his breakup with girlfriend Terri Seymour, with the American Idol judge’s mother telling the Daily Mail differing views on settling down doomed the relationship. “The split was really based on the fact that she wanted a baby...

Cowell, Girlfriend Call It Splits

AI judge refused to settle down

(Newser) - Watch out, Simon Cowell may be extra grouchy this season: The American Idol judge and his longtime girlfriend have split after 6 years, People reports. Cowell’s rep said Terri Seymour, 34, “phoned Simon and finished it about six weeks ago.” The couple met when Seymour interviewed the...

Simon Cowell Rocks the Vote
Simon Cowell Rocks the Vote
OPINION
Oct 31, 2008 3:22 PM CDT

Simon Cowell Rocks the Vote

Encouraged by civics lessons from American Idol , young voters are used to going to polls

(Newser) - Barack Obama isn't the only force driving young voters are to the polls, writes Alan H. Fleischmann in the New Republic. Thanks to the extreme popularity of judge Simon Cowell and American Idol, they’ve gotten used to having their voices heard. And just as important, Idol participation has allowed...

Crazy Paula Paid Crazy Less
 Crazy Paula Paid Crazy Less 
Oct 14, 2008 11:23 AM CDT

Crazy Paula Paid Crazy Less

American Idol pays Cowell $36 million a year

(Newser) - Turns out Paula is paid pennies to pounds. Fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell rakes in $36 million a year from the show—that's $22,000 per minute—while her take is in the $5 million to $8 million range, MSNBC reports. A former executive producer explains that Cowell "...

Dental Divide: US Goes for White, UK Prefers Character

British celebs often mocked for polishing, straightening teeth across the pond

(Newser) - The difference between British teeth and American teeth is in societal expectations, the BBC reports. “Americans have the idea uniformity is equivalent to looking good,” one UK expert says. “The British character is more free-spirited, more radical.” Brits like Ricky Gervais have resisted the lure of...

Judge DioGuardi Is Just What Idol Needs
Judge DioGuardi
Is Just What
Idol Needs
OPINION
Aug 26, 2008 9:32 AM CDT

Judge DioGuardi Is Just What Idol Needs

Injecting youth into talent show bound to boost 8th season

(Newser) - The addition of hit songwriter-producer Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge on American Idol is a much better fix for flagging ratings than simply sending irrelevant judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson packing, writes Andy Dehnart for MSNBC. While guest judges in the past haven't had much effect, DioGuardi will...

American Idol Adds Fourth Judge
American Idol Adds Fourth Judge
Aug 25, 2008 12:23 PM CDT

American Idol Adds Fourth Judge

Songwriter Kara DioGuardi to join Cowell and company

(Newser) - American Idol is getting a fourth judge this season, marking what the New York Post calls the biggest change TV’s top show has ever undergone. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will join Simon, Paula, and Randy, in a move producers say they always intended. All of Idol’s international counterparts feature...

Newest 'Idol': David Cook
 Newest 'Idol': David Cook 
May 21, 2008 9:15 PM CDT

Newest 'Idol': David Cook

The elder David wins in season finale

(Newser) - The newest "American Idol" is David Cook. The 25-year-old defeated David Archuleta, 17, in the season finale, the New York Post reports. The two received a record 97.5 million votes from viewers, eclipsing the previous mark by 23 million votes. Cook got 56% of the vote. The victory...

Which David Is Our Idol ?
 Which David
 Is Our Idol? 
May 21, 2008 1:16 PM CDT

Which David Is Our Idol?

Voting on Cook's rock vs. Archuleta's ballads hours away from being revealed

(Newser) - We're only hours away from Fox crowning either balladeer (and Simon Cowell fave) David Archuleta, 17, or rocker David Cook, 25, as this season's American Idol. Cook seemed to win last night's live audience, the Kansas City Star reports.

Aussie Booted in 'Idol' Shocker
 Aussie Booted in 'Idol' Shocker 
Apr 11, 2008 7:09 AM CDT

Aussie Booted in 'Idol' Shocker

Stunned fans boo as voters chuck frontrunner

(Newser) - Australian American Idol hopeful Michael Johns got the heave-ho from the show last night in the biggest shocker so far this season, the Daily News reports. A surprised crowd booed the stunned singer's abrupt departure. Johns had been considered a frontrunner but the 31 million voters were clearly unimpressed by...

New Trend May Have Fans Shout, 'I Want My ITV!'

'Interactive video' changing way users view music videos online, experts say

(Newser) - MTV just may become a thing of the past, thanks to a new wave sweeping the Net called “interactive video.” Encouraged by the popularity of music videos online, but frustrated by poor web quality, producers are allowing users to create their own video-viewing experience. Indie favorite Arcade Fire...

Follow Big Bucks to Small Screen
Follow Big Bucks to Small Screen
Oct 1, 2007 4:50 PM CDT

Follow Big Bucks to Small Screen

The 20 biggest personalities on TV have salaries to match

(Newser) - On the boob tube, prime-time stars aren't the ones who are really cashing in. Think daytime talk-show titans, a syndicated sitcom legend, and a reality humiliation expert. Forbes lists the top 20 earners:
  1. Oprah Winfrey, $260 million
  2. Jerry Seinfeld, $60 million
  3. Simon Cowell, $45 million

Oprah Tops List of TV's Biggest Earners—Again

She collected cool $260m; second-place Seinfeld nabbed $60m

(Newser) - Talk show diva Oprah Winfrey continues her reign as the Queen of  Media, topping Forbes' list of 2007's 20 highest earning TV stars with a whopping $260 million. Jerry Seinfeld came in a distant second with $60 million—mostly from residuals. They were followed by Simon Cowell ($45 million), David...

'Idol' Down To Final Four
'Idol' Down To Final Four
May 3, 2007 9:56 AM CDT

'Idol' Down To Final Four

No more charity for contestants, and Idol 's down to final four.

(Newser) - American voters—135 million strong—sent two "American Idol" finalists home last night, leaving three women and one man in the running. Smooth-domed Phil Stacey and Justin Timberlake-esque hearthrob Chris Richardson got the boot, but neither seemed distraught: A spot in the top six is a fine career starter,...

Cowell Defends Eye-Roll at VA Tech Tribute

Killjoy judge says he didn't mean to disrespect victims

(Newser) - Notorious wet blanket Simon Cowell insists he was not rolling his eyes at a contestant's tribute to the Virginia Tech victims during Tuesday's "American Idol." What viewers saw, the blunt British judge says, was a reaction to the performance, not the remarks, of "Idol" hopeful Chris Richardson.

Idol Boots Curly-Haired Christian
Idol Boots Curly-Haired Christian
Mar 29, 2007 11:30 AM CDT

Idol Boots Curly-Haired Christian

Clever, chubby Chris Sligh gets axe; nine little Idols remain

(Newser) - Crimped contestant Chris Sligh was voted off this season's American Idol last night, just minutes after Simon Cowell predicted that it would be, "Bye-bye-curly." Sligh was known for being clever, chubby, and Christian—as well as his shock-mop curls. Saved from elimination was improbable teen hearthrob Sanjaya Malakar,...

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