Monday, January 11, 2010 Posted by Television at 1:09 PM

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Cowell’s ‘Idol’ exit imminent? Not so fast.
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Cowell’s ‘Idol’ exit imminent? Not so fast.

Posted: 11 Jan 2010 09:39 AM PST

Today's confirmation of the imminent arrival of "The X Factor" to Fox shed light on a lot of unanswered "Idol"-related questions, and raised a few new ones. Here's what we do know: the U.K. hit will get its U.S. makeover in Fall 2011, when "Idol" is on hiatus. Cowell will produce and judge on "The X Factor," the show that spawned Leona Lewis, but had nothing to do with the discovery of Susan Boyle (a common and understandable mistake considering there's so many of these dang singing reality shows!).

However, it is not clear in what capacity, diminished or otherwise, Cowell's role on "Idol" may change. An insider tells Idol Tracker that Cowell could conceivably judge both shows, if he were so inclined. With that in mind, you could point to any number of examples of "what Simon wants, Simon gets," starting with his airtight, smoking allowed office. If Cowell wants to replicate in America what he's done in Britain, where his mug can be seen on television any and every night of the week, then chances are, a network will bend over backwards to accommodate him. But if Cowell does walk away from "Idol," the show will go on, the source insists, for several years to come. "It's not in jeopardy whatsoever."

What do you think, "Idol" fans? Is there such a thing as too much Simon Cowell? Or are we forgetting "American Idol"'s true raison d'être—the talent, not the judges…

– Shirley Halperin

Photo: Simon Cowell in Louisville, Kentucky, 2008; Credit: Michael Becker, Fox

Follow me on Twitter @shirleyhalperin

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