Contestants are already weighing in on the thought of American Idol without Simon Cowell.
I’ll keep posting comments as I receive or find them.
Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest had this to say, via Twitter: “This is simon’s last season on idol. He’s working on US version of X-Factor! He is one of the most brilliant people in our biz! Congrats. I’m gonna interview Simon tomorrow on the radio show … will ask him if Paula Abdul will be on X-Factor.”
(Update: Here’s a snippet of that interview.)
Now, for what the contestants had to say …
Brandon Rogers, season six: “I definitely feel that the show has lost it’s ‘heart’ in Paula, and now it’s losing it’s ‘villain’ in simon … both of which I think are necessary to any good reality storyline. I’m not sure the show can survive this without some radical change to the way it’s conducted. Only time will tell.”
Kendall Beard, season eight: “I think everyone will be sad to see him go. The truth is even though people hated him … they LOVED him. Outcome?”
Phil Stacey, season six (via Twitter): “American Idol without Simon is like bread without flour …”
Trenyce, season two: “Not sure (if Idol can survive). I am however sure that many people will transfer to X Factor when he goes. Best of luck to both shows.”
Felicia Barton, season eight: “I am not sure how Idol will survive without Simon, but I guess we will see what kinda paycheck Fox throws at him at the end of this season to keep him around. Not sure, just like it will be weird without Paula this season it would be VERY weird without Simon…I guess we will just have to see!”
Melinda Doolittle, season six: “I’m excited for Simon, but sad about him leaving! I can’t even think of anyone who could replace him.”
Amanda Overmyer, season seven: “It is not surprising that Simon is leaving. He had a very successful run with the upcoming 9 years he has spent on Idol. He is a business man and I looked for him to move on sometime in the near future exploring other ventures. Im sure he is ready to run his own show now! I do think the show will take a hit not having him on there, he was just as much a reason people tuned in as the singers themselves. The show will be effective if they fill his spot with a well educated music savvy person who isnt afraid to tell the truth. I think alot will depend on who they choose to put there. I believe Simon will now be putting his time and effort into bringing the British ‘X Factor’ to America and try and break the monopoly of ‘American Idol’. Give it a little competition.”
Here’s a link to an MTV story with three more reactions, from Brooke White, Melinda and Matt Giraud.
Brooke recalls the night Simon said her performance was like “a hamburger without the meat” but adds that he seems to be the “magic ingrediant to the show.” Matt predicts producers won’t be able to recapture the chemistry Idol has had at the judges’ table, but says he thinks the show can survive.
What do you think?
Can Idol survive the loss of Simon?
Feel free to comment below.
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