SIMON COWELL IS LEAVING AMERICAN IDOL

Simon Cowell, who has become the only reason to watch American Idol has decided to leave the popular singing show after his contract ends this season. This is not a ploy for more money as recent rumor mills have been speculating. Cowell is bringing his popular U.K. series "The X Factor," to America and he will serve as judge on the American show like he does in Britain. "The X Factor" will join Fox's schedule next year.
With Cowell leaving, this may finally be the straw that breaks the camel's back. The first being Kris Allen winning over the much more talented Adam Lambert because in my opinion the conservatives over at FOX would rather take a chance on some boring singer with a guitar than a flashy, flamboyant guy with a knack for glitter and eye-liner. The audience showed their disappointment by not buying Kris Allen's music. The second being when they added fourth judge Kara Diowhogivesadamn to the show, not only taking time away from Paula bring her usual crazy, but also cutting into other scheduled shows because they couldn't squeeze in all four opinions. The third straw was not giving Paula more money, which caused her to quit the show. Yes I'm sure Paula had more than Coca Cola in her cup, but in the end she came out more like a martyr than a pariah. The final nail in the coffin came (of course when Simon decided to not return) but the little nail before the final one came when FOX hired the too nice and unfunny Ellen DeGeneres to replace Paula. I already know Ellen's going to be a horrible judge on Idol. When she came on So You Think You Can Dance as guest judge, she did her usual rambling jke routine and in the end said she enjoyed every performance. Since Simon's too truthful until it hurts critiques work for him, as a fellow judge, you have to figure out a way to critique contestants to make them better at what they do. I understand FOX has hired Ellen to be the people's judge, but if they could here the people watching the show, they would know most of us agree with Simon (most of the time).

While there are many talents that have come and gone on Idol (Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Glambert, Daughtry, Carrie Underoos, etc.) Cowell with his honest opinions of Idol contestants often came across as the bigger star on "Idol."

"I was offered a lot of money to stay on," Cowell said. "But that wasn't the reason behind it. I wanted to do something different. I wanted a new challenge." Simon is reportedly making $36 million a year to be on "American Idol," and because he created "The X Factor," he stands to make more than he does on Idol should the show become a hit. Now that the ratings are declining more than ever, it might be time after ten years to try something fresh and different. As long as I don't have to look at Ryan Gaycrest's annoying ass and have to listen to him overpronounce every word on TV, I will be ther giving my ten minute standing ovation when the ax finally comes down on the monstrous mess that is American Idol.