Simon Cowell To Leave American Idol

By Kat Ahn on January 11th, 2010

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Before it was just a rumor, but now it’s official. The New York Times reports that Simon Cowell is leaving American Idol after the current season. Cowell announced his retirement at a Fox presentation at the Television Critics Association press tour in California.

But do not fret, Cowell will still be bringing searing criticism to his new show, “The X Factor,” to Fox next season which will allow him to focus on new ways to humiliate non-singers and to bring instant fame to those who are looking to be the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. And say what you want about Cowell’s dry and in-your-face criticism, but he’s created a brand of instant pop successes whose music is all over the charts.

From Jordin Sparks’s “Battlefield,” Daughtry’s “It’s Not Over,” Carrie Underwood’s, “Before He Cheats,” and almost all the hits from Kelly Clarkson, Cowell knows how to get artists to the top of the Billboard charts. The only question is, what exactly will be different about “The X Factor” as compared to “American Idol”? Will there be more of a push to find the next Susan Boyle? Is the show about singers who don’t look like a pop idol? Only time will tell. Until then, you’ll be able to watch hilarious videos of Simon’s insults on YouTube.