American Idol Shake-Up Exclusive

August 7, 2008 at 10:20 AM PST

Tags: American Idol, Leona Lewis, Nigel Lythgoe, Simon Cowell, X Factor

Photos: splashnewsonline.com

Following last year’s continued ratings slump, American Idol is experiencing more shake-ups than J-Lo’s booty in last week’s earthquake.

Apparently Simon Cowell is miserable working on the show, so he’s being paid a TON to stay. If it weren’t for the paycheck and Cowell had his druthers, he’d quit, take time off and bring his UK hit X-Factor (the show that discovered singing sensation Leona Lewis) to America.

While the show believes they can’t lose Cowell, they were willing to throw a few other Idol veterans overboard.

Despite reports that executive producer Nigel Lythgoe quit, the truth is, according to one very well-placed source, he was fired, along with another executive producer and the director, both of whom had been with the show since its inception — a decision that came as a huge surprise for everyone. That’s a pretty brutal way to try to keep the show relevant.

Expect to see some major changes as the new season of Idol returns to Fox in January 2009.

Comments: 3

Comments

Tue, 08/26/2008 - 07:39 — Anonymous (not verified)

Roda Monroe refused to go on american idol

Roda Monroe really should have considered going on american idol. I would have loved that.

Sat, 08/23/2008 - 12:16 — jenna (not verified)

american idol

i personally think that simon should quit or be fired, and randy and paula should remain on the show as the remaining two judges for the upcoming season. i don't like simon at all-he's too negative!!! i would be much happier if he quit and never came back!

Thu, 08/07/2008 - 16:16 — Anonymous (not verified)

that is juicy and saucey!

No one does DRAMA and CELEBRITIES like those Brits!

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