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18 Nov 2010 10:35

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Culture: Simon Cowell has a secret admirer … and it’s Sarah Palin

In Palin’s new book, ” America by Heart,” she gushes about how Cowell is “almost alone in his willingness to tell hard truths.” We wonder what he’d say about her. source

19 Aug 2010 11:21

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Culture: Steven Tyler as “Idol” judge: This oughta be a huge failure

It’s official (according to Aerosmith’s bassist); Tyler will replace Simon Cowell in the judge’s chair. Could you imagine him being a good judge? Seriously? source

26 May 2010 11:21

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Culture: We’re confining all comments about “American Idol” in this post







  • We don’t care about the end of “American Idol.” We ESPECIALLY don’t care about Simon Cowell leaving the series. So if you care about stupid things like that, feel free to see the bajillions of tweets going through this post. But we won’t be listening. Maybe if one of the contestants sang Deerhunter.

12 Jan 2010 09:43

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Culture: Is “The X-Factor” about to become the new “American Idol”?

  • old Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and a bunch of other people we don’t care about judging on “American Idol.”
  • new Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and a bunch of other people we don’t know about judging on “The X-Factor”? It might happen. source

12 Jan 2010 00:11

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Culture: Guy from MTV freaks out over Simon Cowell’s “Idol” departure

  • With Simon Cowell leaving “Idol” after this season wraps, Fox needs to face the music and grasp that a massive chunk of the audience is going to jump ship with Simon. Americans have abandoned TV shows for far less.
  • MTV News correspondent (and resident “American Idol” expert) Jim Cantiello • On the effect of Simon Cowell’s departure from “Idol” after this season. Cantiello goes further, saying, “I love ‘American Idol’ too f—ing much to see a ghost of its former self limp around on stage.” Dude, get a grip. It’s just a TV show. Albeit a high-rated, iconic and extremely influential one. source

17 Dec 2009 10:51

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Music: Rage Against the X-Factor Machine: The U.K. Christmas No. 1 race

  • In case you haven’t heard, Rage Against the Machine is in the midst of an amusing battle for the Christmas No. 1 spot in the U.K., a grassroots attempt to have someone other than an X-Factor contestant win the coveted spot. They’re currently winning, and even better, there’s controversy around Rage, after they performed “Killing in the Name” live on the air, unedited, with swear words and all. Best non-story ever. source

09 Aug 2009 11:04

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Culture: So you think you can leave, Paula? Abdul could “Dance”

  • She was like my best buddy on the show. You only realize how much you miss somebody when you’re not there.
  • Simon Cowell • Discussing the departure of his onscreen foil, Paula Abdul, from “American Idol.” Word on the street is that rival show “So You Think You Can Dance” may be interested in what Abdul has to offer. She’s a multihyphenate – “Dance” producer Nigel Lythgoe said no one could match her “experience of being a dancer, of being a choreographer and of being a judge.” Either way, we have to imagine Abdul’s star power isn’t as bright as that of “Idol.” • source
 

08 Aug 2009 11:22

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Culture: “American Idol” gets a little posh thanks to Victoria Beckham

  • He is the only man in the music industry who turned down the Spice Girls and said we would never work. I like that fact that he’s honest. I think he’s very funny.
  • Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham • On working with Simon Cowell on “American Idol.” The former pop star, now better known for being married to the biggest soccer star in the world, will be a guest judge on American Idol next season and was in Denver Friday to watch some auditions. Fake pop star, fake pop star-making show … makes sense. • source

23 May 2009 11:28

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Culture: The decline of American Idol, ratings powerhouse

  • Just 28.8 million watched Kris Allen wipe the snot out of Adam Lambert – a major upset. And those ratings are down significantly from last year, when 32 million watched the finale. source
  • All of the main stars in the judging booth, particularly force of nature Simon Cowell, who commutes between the U.S. and the U.K. weekly for his TV hosting jobs, could leave in the next year. source
  • And worse, this season’s big judging experiment – the addition of Kara DioGuardi, who’s proven to be unpopular – appears to have damaged the chemistry between judges. source

19 May 2009 10:05

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Music: We’ve avoided “American Idol” this season. But it’s near the end.

  • Rocker Adam Lambert, who’s wowed the judges repeatedly and reduced Paula Abdul to tears on at least one occasion. And who may or may not be gay. But really, who cares? source
  • Kris Allen, the Jason Mraz-ish alt-popper who’s sung songs from “Once” and got a key performance last week out of an acoustic rendition of Kanye West’s “Heartless.” source