Simon Cowell, Reality Show | featured news

He's back! Simon Cowell returns to the judging chair, offering his distinct brand of criticism to a wide-ranging variety of wannabe stars.

Fox announced Sunday that former "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul is joining her former co-panelist Simon Cowell on his new singing competition "The X Factor." Abdul will be the fourth judge, alongside Cheryl Cole and L.A. Reid.

After months of speculation Simon Cowell has named British pop superstar Cheryl Cole as the third judge on FOX's X Factor "I'm thrilled for Cheryl She is massively excited about this show and has been fantastic to work with" series creator Cowell 51 told Us Weekly in a statement Tuesday...

The judging panel for Simon Cowell's U.S. version of "The X Factor" has yet to be set and he suggested Paula Abdul is in the running.

According to People, former judge Paula Abdul will join the show for a “special send-off” to the departing judge.

A show source tells EW that Cowell's successor will not be named until after the May 26 season finale.

Simon Cowell scowling -- typical. Simon Cowell blushing?

Even before Ellen DeGeneres took her seat on "American Idol," the roar began. Cries of "What does she know about music" and "Bring back Paula Abdul" lit up blogs and message boards. Then the next shoe dropped -- anchor judge Simon Cowell announced that the ninth season would be his last.

Simon Cowell believes a woman is likely to win his final season on "American Idol." The acerbic British judge told a teleconference Thursday he thinks one of the 12 women among the ninth season's 24 semifinalists has a good shot to win the Fox singing contest....

The end of an era
Yes, we've heard this a million times. It seems as though every single year, Simon Cowell threatens to leave American Idol. But this time his brother is saying it. Do you think it's really true?