Simon Cowell’s Last Season On American Idol; Preps USA Version of The X Factor

Not long after Paula Abdul’s contract wasn’t renewed for the upcoming season of American Idol, it seems that entertainment mogul Simon Cowell, 50, has been thinking that he doesn’t want to stick around either and will be making this his last season.

Simon Cowell announced on today that he’ll be leaving the talent show “American Idol” when the Season 9 ends on May 10, 2010.

The news didn’t come as a surprise to many after his half-brother Tony Cowell reportedly revealed in December that the British celebrity judge, music executive and television producer would be revealing details about his future with American Idol in early 2010.

According to Simon Cowell, he was offered a lot of money to stay on with “American Idol,” but of course he has plans of his own like David Hasselhoff and others. Simon Cowell’s focus is his popular talent show “The X Factor” over in Britain which turned winners like Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and JLS into stars.

“The X Factor” will not be in just Britain for long because it will be joining Fox on next year where Cowell will come on as the judge as well as the executive producer.

Season 9 of American Idol hosted by Ryan Seacrest will be a season to remember as comedian and TV host Ellen DeGeneres will take the place of Paula Adbul on American Idol and Simon Cowell will grace us with his criticism once more before he says goodbye.

As for American Idol judge Randy Jackson, everyone is now wondering if he will leave now that Simon Cowell will be moving on too. It is already being stated that Ellen DeGeneres reportedly will leave if Simon Cowell is not staying, so this means she’ll be there for only one season.

When Simon Cowell is gone at the judges table, that will leave Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and the extra judge A&R executive and singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi who first made her appearance on last year as the fourth wheel on season eight.

What does the future hold for American Idol which was reported as the most watched television show in the United States?

The X Factor which will start airing in the Fall of 2011!

American Idol Season Premiere will air January 12, 2010 on FOX.

Simon Cowell is known for launching talent shows such as “Britain’s Got Talent” which gave Susan Boyle, 48, her spotlight, “America’s Got Talent, ” and “The X Factor” under his production company, Syco.