Simon Cowell to make $144 Million for ‘American Idol?’
Over the course of a season on “American Idol,” evil British judge Simon Cowell must make several thousand dismissive quips to the contestants. Let’s face it, that’s why a majority of people watch the show.
But are each of those jokes really worth five figures each?
The Guardian in the United Kingdom, as well as the New York Post and New York Daily News are all reporting that Cowell may command a whopping $144 million to come back for “American Idol” season nine.
Let’s say that again, and look at it all written out. “American Idol” + Simon Cowell = $144,000,000.
Last year, Cowell made $36 million for the show and that in itself seems excessive. Michael Jordan at his peak made about $25 million a year. Alex Rodriguez, the highest payed baseball player, makes roughly $28 million a year. Even the biggest movie stars – guys like Will Smith, Jim Carrey and Tom Cruise – don’t command those kind of numbers. Somehow, somewhere, someone thinks Simon Cowell is worth the salaries of all of those guys, COMBINED!
And while all of that sounds completely insane, the numbers might justify it. A extremely successful sports franchise, such as the New York Yankees, might pull in $1 billion annually. The top grossing movies of all time, “Titanic” and “The Dark Knight,” each hover around that number as well. Then there’s “American Idol” which, even though its rating slipped last year, pulled in about $900 million, according to the NY Post.
So maybe Cowell deserves that kind of money. I’m just glad I’m not the one signing the checks. Or one of the potentially jealous fellow judges sitting next to him.
