"American Idol" Judges--Staying or Going

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

24 Apr 2009 05:52 AM

Simon Cowell is flapping his lips again.

This time the sardonic "American Idol" judge is yapping about his last days on the show that made him a household name.

According to reports, Cowell has vowed to quit as judge on "American Idol" if the hit show slips from the top spot in the TV ratings. The singing show regularly draws about 22 million viewers per episode in the United States, and has been No.1 in the Nielsen ratings for the last few years.

However, the acerbic Brit is adamant that if the program ever dips in the ratings, he will make his exit from the singing series.

Cowell told reporters: "Being number one is verging on an obsession with me. I don't like being number two. I don't mind when you start at number 10, people don't always go on as number one, and you've got somewhere to go. But if you're at the point you've reached it, of course you want to stay there."

The music mogul says his outlook is realistic, and he even has plans should "Idol" suddenly lose viewers. Cowell says he wants to introduce a new music show to U.S. audiences in a bid to keep himself at the top of the ratings heap.

"We have to bring in another music show," Cowell told reporters. "In the U.K., there is more than one type of music show running throughout the year. And I think the same thing could happen here, because for the fall, nothing really happens. It's something we've been thinking about... I would definitely do it now."

Cowell is staying put on "Idol" for now, but one judge who may be exiting sooner rather than later is Paula Abdul. Sources say her contract is up this season, and there's no word on whether the former hitmaker will return.

In a recent interview with ABC News, Abdul revealed that she loves the show, especially this season, which has a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, but she doesn't know what her future holds.

What do you think? Should Paula stay or go?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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