Simon Cowell: I'm Leaving 'American Idol'
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Simon Cowell will no longer be crushing terrible singers' dreams on the most popular show on television.
Cowell just announced this will be his last season on "American Idol" -- and that he's leaving the show to be a judge and executive producer on FOX's upcoming American version of "The X Factor" ... the British talent show that launched Leona Lewis' career.
Cowell just made the announcement during the semiannual Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena.
Simon said he was "offered a lot of money" to stay on "American Idol" ... but he "wanted to do something different." BTW, Simon reportedly makes around $36 million a year on "A.I."
For his part, Ryan Seacrest tweeted: "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."
Ironically, Simon and new host Ellen DeGeneres were featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly last week and Ellen addressed the rumor of Simon leaving by saying, "If Simon goes, I go!"
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Paula Abdul -- XXX Factor
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While sources say she may have had coherent conversations with Simon Cowell about co-hosting "X-Factor," Paula Abdul spent Saturday night hanging out with porn film director/drag queen Chi Chi LaRue at Garage/Red Saturdays at Here Lounge in West Hollywood.
Don't judge.
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Randy Jackson Simon's No Paula Abdul
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'American Idol' already lost one of its original judges before the season -- but according to Randy Jackson, they're not about to lose another ... despite rumors that Simon Cowell is looking for a way out.
Last night at Katsuya, we asked Randy about Cowell's alleged departure -- and he told us "Who said that? Don't believe everything you read or hear dawg, that's all I can tell ya."
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'Idol' Champ Affected by Tiger Woods Syndrome
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Tiger Woods Syndrome: An epidemic sweeping the nation -- in which paranoid wives constantly worry that their "nice guy" husbands are secretly cheating on them every time they leave the house ... and now, TWS has infiltrated the home of an "American Idol" winner.
Kris Allen is just one of the many people affected by TWS -- last night, the "American Idol" runner-up winner told us his wife's been all over him since "reading all this stuff about Tiger."
Kris claims the paranoia is even causing his wife to have "bad dreams."
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for TWS.
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Waiter Rains Beer on Simon's Birthday Parade
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The worst waiter in the history of existence, who gives waiters everywhere a terrible name, who has no future in the service industry -- but whom Paula Abdul would have probably loved -- dropped a case of beer on his way into Simon Cowell's 50th birthday bash last night, partially soaking his beloved Rolls.
No, it wasn't Taylor Hicks.
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Simon Cowell Pitches a Massive Birthday Tent
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THIS ... is what "American Idol" money can do for your 50th birthday party.
Simon Cowell is hitting the half-century mark with a lavish party at Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire, England today -- a swanky private mansion where people with money throw swanky private parties.
How can judging people be wrong ... if you can make so much money doing it?
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Katharine McPhee Leaves the Dark Side
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"American Idol" wannabeen Katharine McPhee took a break from making music nobody listens to and picked up the peroxide and a pair of scissors.
The fifth season runner-up debuted her new blond bob last night at the Ann Taylor runway show in NYC.
It's the most exciting thing she's done since finishing second place to Taylor Hicks.
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Ellen DeGeneres -- The New Queen of Mean?
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As if it were possible -- Ellen DeGeneres told a few paps yesterday she's going to be mean on "American Idol."
That would be like Simon, well, being nice.
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Paula on Ellen -- She'll Be Grrrrrrrrrrreat!
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If Paula Abdul has any resentment towards Ellen DeGeneres for grabbing her old "American Idol" job, she's certainly not showing it.
Photogs caught Paula in NYC yesterday and she said she thought Ellen will be "great" on the show.
But really, what did you expect Paula to say?
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Paula Abdul to Ellen -- 'Good Luck'
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Paula Abdul has finally broken her silence about American Idol's decision to replace her with Ellen DeGeneres -- releasing the following statement:
"AMERICAN IDOL is a fantastic show that offers an invaluable platform to young talent. Ellen DeGeneres is wildly funny and talented in her own right. I wish her and the show only the best of luck."
Earlier today, DeGeneres told Ryan Seacrest she hoped "Paula is OK" with the decision.
Sounds like Ellen doesn't have anything to worry about.
Ellen to 'Idol' Fans -- Don't Hate Me
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Ellen DeGeneres made a plea to "Idol" nation today -- telling fans that she's not to blame for Paula Abdul's departure from the show.
A seemingly excited Ellen called in to "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" this morning, where she told Ryan she doesn't want people to think she's "evil" for taking Paula's job.
Though Paula has yet to comment on the switch, Ellen also said, "I hope Paula is okay with it."
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Ellen to Simon -- Got Any Openings?
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Just a few months ago, Ellen was overly interested in the judge "situation" on "American Idol" -- grilling Simon Cowell about that coveted fourth seat.
When Simon tells Ellen he thinks all four judges are going to be back next season, she slyly replies, "Really ... okay" -- almost like she knows something Simon doesn't.
Ellen: I'm the New Judge on 'American Idol'
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Paula Abdul's vacant seat at the judges table on "American Idol" has officially been filled ... by Ellen DeGeneres.
Ellen announced the big news during a taping of her talk show today, saying "I have a big announcement to make. No one knows this ... I am going to be the new judge on 'American Idol.'"
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Shoeless Chef to Cowell -- Sous You!
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He's used to crushing wannabe singers, but now Simon Cowell is accused of destroying a wannabe chef ... or at least her arch support.
Simon and his ex-GF Terri Seymour have been sued by a woman who claims she got a "try-out" to be their private chef. In the docs, the chef claims Terri made her remove her sneakers and put on a "clear-bottom" pair when entering the home.
The cooking seemed to go well and the chef eventually took off, only to realize that she left her sneakers behind -- which she claims had $500 orthopedic insoles inside of them.
The chef claims she made repeated attempts to get 'em back -- and even made an additional trip to the house when Terri's assistant claimed he found them. She says the pair he produced weren't hers.
The woman has filed a small claims lawsuit seeking $661.59 from Cowell to cover the shoes, pricey insoles and the $9 in gas she wasted driving over.
A rep for Simon and Terri says "this is a ridiculous story." The rep says the chef simply left her sneakers and that Simon and Terri attempted to return them -- adding the pair that was found in the house are in fact the woman's sneakers.
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Jason Castro -- 'I've Never Been Stoned'
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He may look the part, but "American Idol" wannabeen Jason Castro says he's never been stoned in his life.
FYI -- his girlfriend thought the question was high-larious.
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Paula Abdul -- I've Got Something Lined Up
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Paula Abdul is working something out -- more than just her body -- 'cause last night outside of Crunch gym in West Hollywood, Paula hinted that some sort of deal was in the works ... but she wouldn't say with who!
Abdul also made it clear she isn't jealous of Posh -- or any other "American Idol" replacement judge -- and raised the point, "they don't ever say that about men ... why does it always have to be women who are jealous?"
We can think of one example -- Dunkleman?