Simon Cowell to Leave ‘American Idol’
December 23, 2009 by m.coonce · Leave a Comment
“American Idol” judge Simon Cowell has decided to quit the top-rated TV talent show when his contract ends in 2010, according to a report in British tabloid The Sun, which would deal a blow to the Fox network.
Cowell, 50, has been with the TV juggernaut since the start of “American Idol” in 2002 but his contract expires after the end of Season 9, which starts in January and ends in May 2010, and in the past he has hinted at being bored with his role.
His insults to tone-deaf singers are a key factor in luring viewers to the competition that over the past three years has seen its ratings slip, and this season already sees the departure of another original judge, popular Paula Abdul.
Cowell’s brother Tony, who hosts a weekly radio podcast called “The Cowell Factor”, said in a broadcast on Tuesday that Simon was preparing for his last season of “Idol”.
