Simon Cowell Hints He May Leave American Idol

Us Magazine - April 13, 2009 4:35 PM PDT
Story photo: Simon Cowell Hints He May Leave American IdolSimon Cowell attends auditions for "American Idol" season 8 at Chelsea Piers on August 26, 2008 in New York City.Us Magazine
Good news to American Idol wannabes who dread Simon Cowell 's critiques: He may be leaving the show.

In a new interview with the U.K. Mirror, the sharp-tongued judge, 49, says he is getting tired of traveling for his three TV shows -- and Idol would be the first to go.

"I don't want to come over as whiney because I am very grateful that I have got these jobs," says Cowell, who also hosts U.K.'s The X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent. "But there is a point where I am not sure we can keep this schedule up."

See the weight ups and downs of former Idol contestants

"It takes longer and longer to make these shows because you have to put more into them, and I am not sure we can sustain me doing three shows a year, with the record label and the TV production company," he goes on.

Cowell says "most people do one show a year and I do three and they involve a lot of traveling. One may have to go. I don't know which one. That is the problem, I like all of them."

See which former Idol stars have gotten married or have had children

He says he "can't imagine not doing Britains Got Talent and I can't imagine not doing X-Factor. But I guess America is more likely to go because I have got one year under contract. Maybe that will be the end."

All the hustling hasn't affected his health, he says.

"I have two health checks a year the last one was very comprehensive and the doctor was almost upset at how healthy I was, bearing in mind the hours I work," says Cowell who has also "cut down on the smoking." (He went down to five cigarettes, from a pack a day.)

See the worst Idol contestants of all time

Working so much has, however, affected his love life. (He split from Terri Seymour last year.)

"Have I got a black book? Yes, it's called a mobile phone," he jokes when asked if he dates often. "I do get offers. There is no shortage of people if you want to go on dates working in TV, living in LA, it is there if you want it. But I am enjoying hanging out with my friends. I haven't had time to go on dates."

See photos of Idol contestants at Disneyland

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comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • pelon
    GREAT NEWS! now take that Kara-Simon-wannabe with you and everything will be just fine. oh yeah! and also Randy. heck! while you're at it might as well take Paula. and P-L-E-A-S-E ~ if nobody else ~ RYAN SEABORE!!!!!
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 10:01 PM PDT
  • Lisa
    Three shows a year.....record and TV company....this man is Loaded!
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 6:50 PM PDT
  • sparklegirl
    No, Simon don't go-it would not be the same without you!! We love you!
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 6:29 PM PDT
  • Nina
    I think Simmon helps make the show interesting. I will admit he can be brutal but it adds spark to the show.
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 6:09 PM PDT
  • Nick W
    I guarantee I could be twice the sarcastic jerk that Simon is. I bet I could make more of the first rounders cry and scream, which is the reason people watch this show in the first place. Then I'll sit back and look just as angry while the talented people sing. I'll tone down the abuse as not to offend the super sensitive people who could actually get into the show and are still
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 6:03 PM PDT
  • Fran B
    I say that what simon says is pretty much the end result. when simon talks,the public agrees with him
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 5:59 PM PDT
  • Missouri Girl
    i don't want to see simon go. i don't know if the show would or should survive without him. i really like simon because he tells the brutal truth and sometimes that's seen as mean. he isn't mean, he's in it to make money. it's his livelihood and he is the one with the money to back it up.
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 5:43 PM PDT
  • L.V. C
    LOL.... search " My Discount Bag " on google to get the same designer bags with Karolina and Jessica. " My Discount Bag " is just for fashion ladies, wow! only $98-$198 Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Coach, Miu Miu, Dior, Hermes, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, ____M y d i s c o u n t b a g . c o m ------
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 4:43 PM PDT
  • jobena
    Who cares, the show sucks and he's the ring leader. Take it off TV it wouldn't be missed.
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 4:43 PM PDT
  • val
    once hes gone, so is the show sadly.
    report abuseposted April 13, 2009 4:36 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 23  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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