Will You Still Watch American Idol Without Simon Cowell?

Posted by : foongpc | Sunday, May 24, 2009 | Published in

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Well, will you?

Some of you may say "I don't watch American Idol whether Simon is in it or not!"

Well, if that happens to be you, then bye bye and come back for my next post, sweetie!

And there are some of you who will ask "Who the hell is Simon Cowell?"

Or even worse. "What the heck is American Idol?"

Well, for those of you who think American Idol is the newest franchised restaurant in town, or a store selling branded clothes from USA, then you too may skip this post. You don't belong here. Or should I say, you don't belong to this planet we called Earth! Maybe you are an alien from some other planet.

OK, OK, if you really really do not know what is American Idol, please google it, read about it and then come back here, will you? I am doing this out of sympathy for those few of you who had either just woken up from a 10-year long coma, or had just miraculously returned from the Bermuda Triangle after disappearing into another dimension for more than 10 earth years.

So that's how long it has been yes? I mean the American Idol reality show. Well, almost.

This latest season which is the 8th season, sees one of the best finales in the history of American Idol. Yet, the finale and the final result show registered one of the lowest ratings for American Idol in years. I wonder why.

Are viewers fed up with the show? Are they bored with the contestants? The judges? The host? Even Kara DioGuardi strutting herself in a bikini on stage didn't help!


Photo of Kara courtesy of News America Now

Maybe a lot of people think American Idol is crap. Well, after the result a few days ago, I am inclined to think so too. Kris Allen is the winner and not Adam Lambert? I really don't get it, but if that's how Americans voted, so be it!


Photo of Adam Lambert and Kris Allen courtesy of mtv.com

Now I am not going to dwell on this issue because I think it's been talked to death in many other blogs. So my post today will deal with the famously acerbic judge, Simon Cowell.

Oh, before that, did you hear that song written by judge Kara DioGuardi for both the finalists to sing? I think it's called "No Boundaries" or something. I absolutely hated that song! Couldn't she come up with something better? Last I heard, this song to be made into a single for Kris Allen was poorly received.

Anyway, Simon Cowell's contract with American Idol will expire in 2010. Will his contract be renewed? Most likely, but the question is, will the man himself stay on? He had already considering leaving the show so we may not have Simon in American Idol after 2010.


Photo of Simon courtesy of Square Eyes

So that leads me back to the title of my post today and the question I have been dying to ask.

Will you still watch American Idol if Simon Cowell is no longer one of the judges?

Maybe they should just get rid of the four judges and bring in fresh new ones. Or Simon Cowell should just stay on while the other three judges are to be replaced. What do you think?

FIRST COMMENTER

(87) Comments

  1. Bengbeng said...

    i have been away in the Bermusda triangle for ten yrs. i think Simon is not that important. occasionally comes an idol aspirant who invites the audience's imagination n they want him/her to win but even an audience can bcome jaded after some time

    May 24, 2009 at 7:05 AM
  2. Anonymous

    I don't think AI will be the same without Simon. Who can ever replace him? The rest of the judges can be easily replaced. But Simon's one of a kind...this guy knows his stuff very well.

    May 24, 2009 at 7:12 AM
  3. [SK] said...

    hmmmm, i don't really watch AI, not a fans but i do interested to know who are the winners.. hehe :p

    May 24, 2009 at 9:08 AM
  4. fufu said...

    i rarely watch ai, but i must say...simon is a good one ... though the fans of those losers hate his critics, yeah i think that's what a judge should do, and giving encouragement also... not easy!

    May 24, 2009 at 9:12 AM
  5. synical said...

    If not Simon, they might bring in Piers Morgan (from America's Got Talent) if they want the English flavour, haha....

    May 24, 2009 at 9:40 AM
  6. nic

    foongpc bye bye.. will come back next post...

    May 24, 2009 at 10:00 AM
  7. JL said...

    Hmmm, doesn't make any difference to me. AI is not that great anymore, even if Simon were to judge 20 seasons of it. Reason? Overhype.

    I tried to watch this season's AI but reception not good enough. Lol...

    May 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM
  8. lina said...

    I don't really listen to the judges comments, but I think Simon Cowell and AI is so synonymous already.

    May 24, 2009 at 11:06 AM
  9. foongpc said...

    bengbeng, you are FC for the first time! Congrats!!! : )

    I hope you don't mind I take the photo of Benghui from your blog. I just found that photo very nice and interesting! : )

    You just came back from Bermuda Triangle? haha! You don't think Simon is that important to AI? Hmmm... thanks for your opinion! : )

    May 24, 2009 at 12:41 PM
  10. foongpc said...

    mei teng, yes I think I agree with you. Without Simon, AI would never be the same again : )

    May 24, 2009 at 12:42 PM
  11. foongpc said...

    SK, if you are not a fan, why you still interested who is the winner unless you are secretly a fan? Haha!

    May 24, 2009 at 12:43 PM
  12. foongpc said...

    fufu, yeah being a judge is not easy. There will bound to be people who dislike or disagree with your comments. I guess that comes with the job! : )

    May 24, 2009 at 12:44 PM
  13. foongpc said...

    synical, I still prefer Simon over Piers Morgan, although I really enjoyed watching Piers' dirty tactics in Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice! Haha!

    May 24, 2009 at 12:45 PM
  14. foongpc said...

    nic, it's Ok sweetie, come back next post, sweetie : )

    May 24, 2009 at 12:46 PM
  15. foongpc said...

    JL, never mind lah no reception for 8tv. Got reception for Singaporean channels good enough lah! LOL!

    May 24, 2009 at 12:47 PM
  16. foongpc said...

    lina, yeah I agree. Simon = AI and AI = Simon.

    Therefore, No Simon = No AI.

    Correct? : )

    May 24, 2009 at 12:49 PM
  17. day-dreamer said...

    Hahaha I haven't been catching the recent few seasons of AI but if Simon Cowell is not in it then I seriously doubt I will watch it anymore. Among the judges I enjoy listening to him the most. LOL.

    May 24, 2009 at 12:56 PM
  18. Merryn said...

    I missed this year's American Idol due to blogging! LOL! anyways, i found it to be quite boring nowadays... so.. not watching !

    May 24, 2009 at 2:53 PM
  19. TZ said...

    hehehee.... for me no difference as i don't watch American Idol ^__^

    May 24, 2009 at 3:30 PM
  20. Neo said...

    Nope, I don't follow American Idol but I know this show la... and I think perhaps should replace all the judges so the new ones could inject new ideas for a change.

    Hey, any idea why no one comment on my blog these days?

    May 24, 2009 at 3:44 PM
  21. Anonymous

    American Idol will be totally different without Simon Cowell! Not to say it'll be bad, just different! =D

    May 24, 2009 at 6:52 PM
  22. Anonymous

    i think adam lambert should have won too! he has the charisma, the look and bla bla bla.. but kris is just some average dude.. lol..

    oh well like you said.. america has voiced out their winner! =)

    May 24, 2009 at 6:54 PM
  23. Anonymous

    or maybe coz that adam is gay? kinda make girls "eww" at him.. lol i think?

    or maybe its just rumours? hmm..

    May 24, 2009 at 6:56 PM
  24. acura said...

    Absolutely not. Simon Cowell is the reason I watch AI. He is the one that sets the show apart from other singing competition. I appreciate his honesty.

    Sometimes when the quality of singing is mediocre, I stayed on just to hear Simon's stinging criticism. And he usually didn't disappoint although he had definitely mellowed over the years.

    May 24, 2009 at 10:00 PM
  25. eiling lim said...

    Sometimes I think a change of judges is good for the show. Their comments have been pretty predictable or too general. I don't like that Kara because she seemed to be very dramatic.

    May 24, 2009 at 10:04 PM
  26. .:: Ant ::. said...

    I think peeps would still watch AI, albeit with a lesser chance of being entertained if minus Simon. His comments are much needed to guide the course of voting, tho sometimes peeps may still vote otherwise eg . Kris over Lambert.

    May 25, 2009 at 12:47 AM
  27. foongpc said...

    day-dreamer, yeah me too. His comments are the most valuable to listen to and Paula's comments are the ones I don't really bother too much : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:07 AM
  28. foongpc said...

    merryn, haha! So blogging is now more interesting than AI? : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:07 AM
  29. foongpc said...

    TZ, you don't? I guess you rather workout at FF or lepak at Starbucks than watching AI right? : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:09 AM
  30. foongpc said...

    neo, replace all the judges may be a good idea, but I can't think of anyone who can replace Simon Cowell.

    I've visited your blog. Maybe everyone is too busy nowadays : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:12 AM
  31. foongpc said...

    kenwooi, yeah without Simon, AI would definitely be different! It's such a dissapointment that Adam lost out to Kris, but I guess that's what Americans wanted.

    I don't think Adam's gayness has anything to do with it. I think majority of voters just got smitten with Kris and they favoured looks over talent : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:15 AM
  32. foongpc said...

    acura, so no Simon = no AI for you? Well, I can understand that cos Simon is the core of the show. Without him, it'll just be no fun anymore, although I agree he's in danger of getting more and more mellowed over the years : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:17 AM
  33. A Common Singaporean said...

    A fresh new panel of judges would be good. Perhaps a new logo to add more jest to the program. What I am saying is the program needs a revamp, a new image, with or without Simon Cowell.

    May 25, 2009 at 1:18 AM
  34. foongpc said...

    eiling, haha! I know what you mean. I also think she's a little too dramatic and sometimes long winded in her comments, although she gave more constructive and useful comments than Paula! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:19 AM
  35. foongpc said...

    anton, well without Simon, I believe the ratings would drop even further because a lot of people watched the show to listen to what Simon had to say : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:21 AM
  36. foongpc said...

    a common singaporean, yeah I guess a revamp of the whole show will freshen it up and may attract new fans : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:22 AM
  37. eastcoastlife said...

    I don't watch American Idol any more. :)

    May 25, 2009 at 1:52 AM
  38. Anonymous

    visiting again!!

    oh yeah your final question..
    i think ALL judges of AI should stay..
    probably because it has been a norm... 8 seasons already.. haha.. =D

    May 25, 2009 at 3:19 AM
  39. Anonymous

    btw..sexy pic of kara..
    but she's kinda skinny.. lol =D

    May 25, 2009 at 3:21 AM
  40. renaye said...

    hmm.. i just want to see simon cowell back to being straight nasty and humourous in his comment. :)

    May 25, 2009 at 7:49 AM
  41. LifeRamblings said...

    Good morning everyone!

    May 25, 2009 at 8:07 AM
  42. LifeRamblings said...

    AI is no fun without Simon. he's arguably the show's strongest asset. he's irreplaceable.

    May 25, 2009 at 8:07 AM
  43. LifeRamblings said...

    i love his blunt comments and he's one of the reasons i watched AI in the 1st place.

    May 25, 2009 at 8:11 AM
  44. Rad Sujanto said...

    Yea I saw the finale show.. she looked absolutely gorgeous in that bikini. Well as you know she was just being funny and she didn't really feel comfortable as much as the ex-almost-contestant girl-in-bikini! :))

    I enjoyed the finale! :)

    May 25, 2009 at 10:16 AM
  45. annant said...

    AI will never da same without nasty remarks by simon...
    we need some spices in every dish, so do ai ;)

    May 25, 2009 at 10:17 AM
  46. ladyviral said...

    I don't really watch AI. Then again, I haven't seen much of it either. But I do know without Simon's crude comments on the participants, it would be totally different. So without Simon in AI, we got no body to diss about anymore lol. Kidding... he does bring flavor to AI. He comments are always different comparing to other judges. So yea no Simon, AI no fun~

    May 25, 2009 at 10:21 AM
  47. iWalk said...

    Simon is the main reason I love this TV Show. :)

    May 25, 2009 at 11:16 AM
  48. Kit Kat said...

    IMO, they'll let Simon leave the show first. After a season, people will start complaining and they'll invite Simon back to the show. :p

    May 25, 2009 at 11:31 AM
  49. Shinky said...

    I don't watch and I don't follow. Still in courtesy of Foong, I comment! :P

    Personally, I think Simon should start his own show! ^.^ Shows like "American Bad Ass" or something similar~ ^.^ oh yeah~ That would be terrific! ^.^

    May 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM
  50. xin said...

    i had followed previous american idols but not the latest one. but i think the show will be totally boring without simon lah

    May 25, 2009 at 1:32 PM
  51. foongpc said...

    eastcoastlife, you don't? Probably a lot of people also don't watch the show anymore. Maybe even the Americans. That's why the ratings dropped.

    May 25, 2009 at 1:47 PM
  52. foongpc said...

    kenwooi, thanks for visiting again! So you think all judges should stay? I don't know, perhaps they should change judges just to refresh the show or they should change the format or something?

    Kara is sexy but skinny? Hmmm, I guess sexiness is also in the eyes of the beholder! As for skinny, I kinda agree with you, but isn't that the trend nowadays - to be skinny? Haha!

    May 25, 2009 at 1:51 PM
  53. foongpc said...

    renaye, yes it's fun to watch when he's being nasty right? That's what made me watch AI in the very first place! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:53 PM
  54. foongpc said...

    life ramblings, yeah Simon is essential to the show. He's irreplaceable. Ooh! This word reminds me instantly of the song Irreplaceable by Beyonce. Haha!

    May 25, 2009 at 1:55 PM
  55. foongpc said...

    rad, so you like Kara, is it? haha! I think you'll like any pretty girl in bikini, right? LOL! Do you like that ex-contestant girl in bikini too? : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:56 PM
  56. foongpc said...

    annant, you are right. Some spices courtesy of Simon Cowell would do a lot of good to AI! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:57 PM
  57. foongpc said...

    ladyviral, totally agree with you. No Simon, AI is no longer fun! He's the reason why I watched AI in the first place! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:59 PM
  58. foongpc said...

    iwalk, yes same with me too! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 1:59 PM
  59. foongpc said...

    kit kat, you think so? I guess after Simon leaves the show, the ratings will probably drop so they will have to ask him to come back. Simon will most likely demand a higher salary! That may just be his secret tactic! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 2:01 PM
  60. foongpc said...

    shinky, oh thanks very much for commenting! Appreciate it!! : )

    American Bad Ass? haha! Well, people might just tune in to see with Simon as the judge! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 2:04 PM
  61. Jonzz said...

    I think Simon is the only interesting judge there, HA HA.

    But these days, no time to watch the whole show, so I just go to the site and watch the performance clips (which does not included judge's comments) HA HA

    May 25, 2009 at 2:05 PM
  62. foongpc said...

    xin, yeah agree the show will be boring without Simon. As it is, the show is already getting boring. I actually only see the beginning and ending part of the season and skip out the middle part. Haha!

    May 25, 2009 at 2:06 PM
  63. foongpc said...

    jonzz, I agree. Half of the time, I don't know what Paula is talking about, I think Randy is getting boring with his usual comments and Kara although new to the show is a bit long winded and dramatic. So, yes Simon is still the best, though he's getting kinder and less stinging in his remarks.

    Sometimes, I do that too, just watched the performance clips! : )

    May 25, 2009 at 2:09 PM
  64. iamthewitch said...

    American Idol will never be the same without Simon Cowell. I just cannot imagine it to be. It's the same if Ryan Seacrest is not hosting the show. Both are equally important in bringing the show to life!

    May 25, 2009 at 3:33 PM
  65. Che-Cheh said...

    I'll still watch although of course it won't be same without Simon. Paula's contract is ending too I think.

    Really the finale rating dropped? WoW

    May 25, 2009 at 7:20 PM
  66. LimPek said...

    of course i will still support cos american idol is the world no 1

    May 25, 2009 at 10:03 PM
  67. Monica said...

    I don't watch AI..so when is your next post coming out? LOL! :-D

    May 26, 2009 at 2:22 AM
  68. Kit Kat said...

    Ya! That's the word, "rating". Maybe he's using the tactic you mentioned. :p But if the show has higher rating after he leaves, then I have nothing to say. haha

    May 26, 2009 at 1:12 PM
  69. Perky said...

    Simon Cowell is the reason why I watch American Idol. I prefer the talents that come from UK instead of America.

    And yeah, I agree with you. The song that Kara wrote - it's crap! It's so cliche to the point it makes me cringe. lol!

    May 26, 2009 at 8:17 PM
  70. Ayie said...

    I'm not too particular with the judges, more of the idol format. It was ok for the first few craze but the show is getting quite old and repeated. Nothing refreshing to see anymore.

    May 27, 2009 at 6:32 AM
  71. foongpc said...

    iamthewitch, I agree with you! : )

    May 27, 2009 at 11:53 AM
  72. foongpc said...

    che-cheh, wah, so loyal to AI? Still watch without Simon? Well, unless it's different and better, I won't watch it. Yeah, the ratings dropped - I think viewers getting bored with the show already : )

    May 27, 2009 at 11:55 AM
  73. foongpc said...

    limpek, you'll still support? Wow! True fan of AI!

    May 27, 2009 at 11:56 AM
  74. foongpc said...

    monica, you don't? Oh, you prefer Malaysian Dream Girls, yes? : ) My post already out! : )

    May 27, 2009 at 11:57 AM
  75. foongpc said...

    kit kat, highly unlikely the show will have a higher rating after Simon leaves, but then again, you just never know! :)

    May 27, 2009 at 11:58 AM
  76. foongpc said...

    perky, you prefer UK talents? Why?

    So lousy right, that song by Kara? I would have expected her to write a better song especially this is the finale and they are using her song as the single for the winner.

    May 27, 2009 at 12:00 PM
  77. foongpc said...

    ayie, I think you are right. Nothing new to attract viewers. Maybe they should change the format : )

    May 27, 2009 at 12:03 PM
  78. HappySurfer said...

    I still will. The episodes I enjoy most are the prelims (for the laughs) and the final ten. The in-betweens are rather boring which I only watch as and when they happen to appear when the tv is switched on.

    May 28, 2009 at 1:19 PM
  79. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, I am like you too. I also find the middle part boring, so only watch the beginning and the last few rounds : )

    May 29, 2009 at 10:36 PM
  80. Perky said...

    UK has more original acts than the Americans. Just listen to the ones that came out from America - they mostly sound like they came out from the manufacturing factory. One pop song will sound similar to another pop song.

    May 30, 2009 at 4:17 PM
  81. foongpc said...

    perky, I think you are quite right! : )

    May 31, 2009 at 8:21 PM
  82. Anonymous

    I only watch AI, during auditions... I don't really care what Simon would say. I'm more interested to who's going to have a chance or going home quite miserable.

    May 31, 2009 at 10:30 PM
  83. Tekkaus said...

    I thing we can do without Simon! :D It's after all just a judge. ha :D

    June 4, 2009 at 9:39 AM
  84. Tekkaus said...

    Yeah! The latest AI sucks!!!!

    June 4, 2009 at 9:41 AM
  85. foongpc said...

    rej, yes I think the auditions are more interesting. I usually watch the audition part and the final 3 rounds and give the middle part a miss! : )

    June 6, 2009 at 1:16 PM
  86. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, you sure we can do without Simon? I think a lot of people watch AI just because Simon is there as judge! But it'll be interesting to see the response to the show if Simon were to leave the show for at least 1 season : )

    June 6, 2009 at 1:17 PM
  87. Caroline said...

    i wanted to say i wont but i know i still gonna watch it next year. lol. but if its boring, i wont watch it at all.

    March 30, 2010 at 4:55 PM