Gossip: Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell plans to leave American Idol after the current season.
Simon Cowell announced this week that he’s leaving American Idol after the current season. Cowell, whose acerbic put-downs of Idol contestants has become a defining characteristic of the popular talent show, is leaving after nine seasons to produce and judge an American version of The X Factor, a talent competition he developed for British television. The X Factor will begin airing in 2011.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
September 1 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Labor Day picnic, branding strategy, and more
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
When does autumn begin?
The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns