Having watched as countless contestants said their goodbyes on season 1 of "The X Factor," judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones will now do the same, without so much as a highlight reel to play them off.
How much undiscovered singing talent can America really have left? Enough for Simon Cowell to bring his "American Idol" spinoff "The X Factor", already a hit in Britain, to the States to fill that chilly fall gap in the TV schedule without televised karaoke.
Early favorites such as Stacy Francis and Rachel Crow move forward, while eccentric performers like Siameze Floyd were sent packing.
PEOPLE talks to the X Factor host about breakfast in bed, personal hygiene and why he's wary of kids
It was fun, with a few genuinely inspiring moments - and predictable
Simon Cowell talks about the differences between "American Idol" and his new show "The X Factor."
Simon Cowell, gearing up for Wednesday's premiere of "The X Factor" on Fox, told CNN's Piers Morgan, "It is the biggest moment in my career."
From the talented to the wacky, meet the prospective contestants before the show premieres
The X Factor judge explains why he wanted to work with his former American Idol colleague again
"Why not have a second crack?" The X Factor boss says of coming back to life in the future
"You can't say no to Mariah," Cowell, a huge fan of Carey's, tells PEOPLE
"It's like owning a dog," he tells PEOPLE, "and the dog will only sit next to its master"
The judge dreams he's nice to contestants in a new ad for the upcoming singing competition
"I can't believe I am saying this - I have missed her a lot," Simon says
The former American Idol judge reportedly will join Cowell, Cheryl Cole and L.A. Reid on the panel
Simon Cowell says he missed Paula Abdul when she left "American Idol," and comments on the new judges.
Viewers who've missed the love-hate chemistry between Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell that sparked "American Idol" for eight seasons can look forward to the duo's reunion on "The X Factor" this fall.
Simon Cowell has called the singer-actress "gorgeous and ruthlessly ambitious"
The American Idol alums will join L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole on the Fox show, says a report
Simon Cowell says this season of "American Idol" is better than last season. The full interview airs 3/14.
When CNN's Piers Morgan asked Simon Cowell what he thought about this season's "American Idol," Cowell said, "I personally think it is a better show than last year."
"I think it's important you have different opinions," Cowell tells PEOPLE
"I want to meet her," the X Factor judge tells PEOPLE
Antonio "L.A." Reid will join Cowell on the talent search when it premieres in the fall
The former Idol judge jokes that his invitation must be "lost in the post"
He's British. He's famous. But he didn't make the cut.
The "talented and likable" star may be the right fit, a source tells PEOPLE, but no final decision has been made
The X Factor is talking to PEOPLE - so tell us what you want to know
Reports that the X Factor producer is upset with the Idol judge aren't true
"Bring it on," the judge says of trying out for his new show. Here's how to sign up
He's mum on the other judges, but says the winner of the show will get a $5 million record contract
At a crossroads for season 10, here's what the show should do to reinvigorate itself
"We're more of a collaborative judging group," says Lopez
The former American Idol finds the best gifts come in small packages on his 51st birthday
"American Idol" fans can be demanding when it comes to their favorite show, but their arguments are usually about the contestants.
Lee DeWyze, a paint salesman from Chicago, Illinois, was announced the winner of Fox's "American Idol" on Wednesday night, edging out fellow 24-year-old Crystal Bowersox, a mother from Elliston, Ohio, affectionately known as "MamaSox" to her fans.a
Amanda Holden says Cowell has fallen "hook, line and sinker" for Mezhgan Hussainy
While it's the voters ultimately deciding who will win the title of "American Idol" each season, the judges' input can't be ignored.
"Look, I bought her the ring in London," a squirming Simon Cowell tells Jay Leno
Over the years, "American Idol" has been a lot of things: a launching pad for undiscovered talent, fodder for national conversation and even a blending of politics and pop culture (remember the "red state-blue state" debate last season during the Kris Allen-Adam Lambert showdown?).
The blunt Brit opens up his heart about his fiancée - and wanting kids
His fiancée is the show's makeup artist Mezghan Hussainy, the source tells PEOPLE
Still, the American Idol judge might be ready to settle down with Mezhgan Hussainy
Simon Cowell's Haiti charity single gets its first airing in the United Kingdom featuring singers including Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis.
Just two weeks after announcing he was to record a charity single to raise funds for earthquake-hit Haiti, pop and television mogul Simon Cowell has delivered.
Record producer and former British Pop Idol judge, Pete Waterman talks about Simon Cowell's decision to leave the American show.
There's lots of speculation as to who will be replacing Simon Cowell on "American Idol" and who will serve as judges on Cowell's new show "The X Factor."
Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis are joining his all-star effort to help
British television mogul Simon Cowell is producing a record to raise funds for the earthquake recovery effort in Haiti.
News that acerbic British judge Simon Cowell is quitting the hugely popular talent show, "American Idol," has led to intense speculation as to whether the show can survive without him.
Celebs react to the news that Simon Cowell is leaving "American Idol" after this season.
Longtime "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell said he'll be leaving the popular Fox talent show at the end of the season, the network announced Monday at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California.
ITN's Ben Cohen reports on a grassroots Internet campaign that puts Simon Cowell's "The X-Factor" to shame.
Rage Against the Machine has claimed the prestigious No. 1 spot on the British singles chart on the last Sunday before Christmas, marking the first time in five years the winner of Simon Cowell's "X-Factor" has not won.
At least half a million Facebookers are raging against Simon Cowell, trying to keep his British TV talent show "The X-Factor" from claiming the number-one spot on the British singles chart on Christmas Day.
Simon Cowell's stranglehold on the British Christmas record charts looks as though it might be coming to an end.
The buzz over Simon Cowell leaving his post at "American Idol" to launch a U.S. version of his British hit music contest "The X Factor" hit a fever pitch this week.
The TV judge and the rock star get into a feud over the British version of Idol
In the business of music talent shows, there's always room for one more.
Simon Cowell breaks his silence about a Paula Abdul-less "American Idol" next season in an exclusive interview with the television show "Extra."
Danyl Johnson, a 27-year-old schoolteacher from England, is good-looking too!
Simon Cowell, the acid-tongued producer of "American Idol" and "Britain's Got Talent," is in talks with billionaire Philip Green about a new business venture, his representative said Thursday.
"We didn't handle the situation with Susan as well as we could have," he admits in a new editorial
Her brother says she's "absolutely fine" and at a London apartment after four days in a mental health center
"She's got to sing better than she's ever sung before," the judge says
The talent judge's wealth is on the rise, but it's not the case for Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse and more
A 12-year-old Welsh boy with a Motown voice has been hailed for his "life-changing" performance on "Britain's Got Talent."
Move over Susan Boyle. A week after the Scottish woman became a global sensation following a barnstorming audition on "Britain's Got Talent," a 12-year-old Welsh boy with a Motown voice has been hailed for his "life-changing" performance on the TV show after earning a standing ovation from Simon Cowell.
"I actually liked him. It was a moment in time," O'Donnell tells PEOPLE about Cowell
A 47-year-old charity worker who says she has never been kissed is now a YouTube sensation after a singing performance that wowed the notoriously harsh talent judge Simon Cowell.
With one year left on his "American Idol" contract, judge Simon Cowell said he is considering what he will do next.
CNN's Michelle Wright chats about last night's "American Idol" show.
It's no secret that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell often shows no mercy toward aspiring singers. Quirky, tattooed contestant Megan Joy Corkrey discovered that Wednesday night during the elimination round on the popular singing competition.
"What were you doing, getting your teeth whitened?" asks Jay Leno
Week after week, contestants on "American Idol" face scrutiny from judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, not only for their song choices and performances, but also for their outfits.
The Idol judge praises Spears – and opens up about being single
Terri Seymour will always have a "special place in her heart" for him – and his mom
And the American Idol judge insists he and ex Terri Seymour are "still friends"
The American Idol judge and Terri Seymour were together for six years
PEOPLE has a early listen of the operatic pop group's upcoming spiritual song
"Good for him," says the American Idol judge of Aiken's decision
After her surprise call-in Wednesday, we tracked down the Idol judge's childhood sweetheart
The American Idol judge opens up about Botox, hair dye and Viagra to U.K.'s Glamour
It's a New Year – and Simon Cowell has some new advice for an old favorite of his, Britney Spears.
You may think you have the worst boss in the Western Hemisphere, but if you've never had to dodge a cell phone, been fired over a breakfast pastry or had your work referred to as "a complete and utter mess," you probably have it better than you realize.
It was inevitable: Simon Cowell had to weigh in on Ryan Seacrest's performance at the Emmy Awards.
And now the professionals are weighing in: Reality TV judges Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli are offering their - surprisingly different - opinions of Britney Spears's much-maligned performance at Video Music Awards.
Simon Cowell would not be pleased. Julien Doré won France's Nouvelle Star - that country's version of American Idol - Wednesday night. Doré 24, had been dubbed the French Sanjaya because, like Idol's Malakar, he was better known for his stage presence and looks than for his singing ability, and he became an Internet sensation with his awkward renditions of American pop anthems like Britney Spears's "... Baby One More Time," Madonna's "Like A Virgin" and the Soft Cell hit "Tainted Love" (see a video of him performing that song above).
Simon Cowell is offering up some career advice for Britney Spears, telling the pop star to "go home to your family."
Blake Lewis looked strangely serene when his adversary, Jordin Sparks, was declared this season's American Idol on the May 23 finale of the Fox primetime hit. Surely, Blake saw this coming. After the previous night's sing-off, American Idol's troika of judges - Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson - had all but crowned Jordin themselves.
Blake's VIP Treatment Thirty minutes before the show started, Blake Lewis, rockin' his performance gear, made an appearance in the FOX VIP room in the Kodak Theatre lobby. The room lit up as the finalist was escorted in, looking cool as ice despite having to get onstage and take on Jordin Sparks moments later. Blake, who was all smiles, greeted guests, shaking hands as he made his way around the room.
Aspiring singers tired of watching others soak up the spotlight on the wildly popular "American Idol" television show can now have their 15 minutes of fame (and longer) with "Konami's Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol" for the Sony PlayStation 2.
showbuzzupdated: Fri Sep 30 2005 12:44:00
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt didn't have a chance from the get-go, says John Gray, best-selling author of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus."
And the new "American Idol" is ... Carrie Underwood.
Simon Cowell, the "American Idol" judge known for his over-the-top critiques of pop star wannabes, doesn't just drive contestants and audience members crazy. He also irks his peers.
Enduring thousands of bad auditions each season is enough to make any executive snarky. But when Simon Cowell rips apart contestants on American Idol, he's just doing his job. The hit Fox show is m...
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