Simon says bye-bye?

[CarolinaCutie]

SIMON SAYS HE WON'T BE BACK: British personality says he wants to move on, but does he? (May. 27, 2003)

*Would you watch "American Idol" if Mr. Personality, Simon Cowell, wasn't there to stab a contestant in the vocal chords with his comments? It looks like that's just what you may have to do because Simon says it's all over for him.

"If I were the viewer, I'd be sick of me by now," Simon said after the finale. The following day, during an appearance on the LA-based morning show "Good Day Live," he said he wouldn't be back.

"I'd love to be able to say yes ... but I can't," Simon said. "Why can't I say yes? I'll tell you what -- because I can't. And you know it's not about the money anymore."

In case you didn't know, Simon is the executive producer of a dating show called "Cupid" that's scheduled for a run on CBS this summer.

Meanwhile, despite what Simon is saying, FOX Chairman Sandy Grushow says the network expects Simon back for the third "American Idol" in January 2004.

Ah well, I guess die-hard fans of the show would miss him, but it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Although I did get wrapped up in this year's competition.

[Chris]

Damn... he's the only reason I watched the season's premier. He'll be back, though (ehh... hopefully). Otherwise, the show's ratings will only go down

[Xaimara]

He was the reason why I watched. Well this year they had 2 good singers who made it to the end while last year they had mop head and the other girl as finalist. Neither one can sing. Ratings will go down after they pass the auditions.

[aDRUfan4LiFe]

I think that if he doesn't come back, they will lose a lot of viewers and FOX won't let that happen.

[Drulady03]

I agree. It won't be the same without him, even though he made me a lil mad at times with his critisism but hey i know he's just doing his job. I too believe that the ratings would so down, people love the man..He' s harmless, he'll be back...for sure I know. Besides didn't he bring the whole "american idol" thing to the US?

[Xaimara]

Yeah. It started in the UK and now its world wide. There's a German Idol, India Idol, Canadian Idol (which starts June 13th. I'll let you guys in on how corny it is) A French Idol and there's probably more Idol shows out there. Like you said, Simon may come back just because he can and that no one can fill in his shoes.

[Drulady03]

omg, they've gone "idol" krazy.lol I didn't know they had started all of that...goodness