The show must go on—even without its snarky, British center of attention, apparently.
Despite the news from a seemingly solid source (it was the guy's brother, for goodness' sake!) that Simon Cowell plans to end his stint as a judge on American Idol after the upcoming 2010 season, the show's ninth, Fox is reportedly willing to go on without him.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the network and Idol producers FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment are close to inking a deal that will keep the still-chugging talent show on the air for another three seasons.
That's three seasons after their current contract ends in 2011, mind you...
Fox refused to comment, and Cowell has also been mum (Simon, that is, not Tony Cowell, the aforementioned brother who spilled the beans on his weekly podcast).
We've already been asked to embrace Idol without Paula Abdul. And because Adam Lambert made for must-see TV last year and because we love Ellen DeGeneres, we're willing to do so.
But Idol without Simon, too? Seems like a lot to ask of us in 2011.
(Originally published Dec. 23, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. PT)
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American Idol returns Jan. 12! Check out the familiar faces you'll be seeing during the audition rounds in our Guest Judges Galore gallery.