"AMERICAN IDOL" - Season 9

Rob wrote:

Did you hear that P. Diddy wants Simon's job? But... he won't take it unless he gets Simon's salary of $36 million per year.

P.Diddy?!?! There sure are some random people coming out of the woodwork for this job!

And whoa, does Simon really make that much??? I honestly had no idea!! But P.Diddy has to realize, there's a reason Simon is commanding the big bucks-----he's one of a kind!!

By the way, is it just me, or has Simon been exceptionally nicer this season? I wonder what's up with that?! (For example, he tends to make negative remarks about the physical appearance of contestants a lot, but this season he hasn't done a whole lot of that. It's just what I've come to expect from him! Not that I'm complaining! ).

I hadn't noticed that about Simon's remarks, but you're absolutely right.

About Simon's salary, this is from the New York Post last year:

EARLY salary figures from Simon Cowell's "American Idol" contract negotiations are leaking out and they're eye-popping. Cowell, who reportedly made $36 million last year for judging the hit competition show, has been offered three or four times that amount -- between $100 million and $144 million per year -- by co-producers Fox and 19 Entertainment to stick with "Idol" when his contract expires next May, according to The Guardian, a London newpaper.

~~~

And he turned that down. Ah well, I'm sure he had his reasons. As the basketball player Latrell Sprewell said when he turned down a three year $21 million contract, "I have a family to feed."

Jeepers!!!!!!!!!!

well, I'm happy with the top 2, but the problem is, I like both of them, so I'd like to see both of them win!

Rob wrote:

Cowell, who reportedly made $36 million last year for judging the hit competition show, has been offered three or four times that amount -- between $100 million and $144 million per year

THAT.....IS....Staggering. But hey, you only go around once---he obviously is so done with this. Plus, I assume he figures his new "X Factor" show (if that is still in the works?) is going to be a hit.

Unless you're P. Diddy, I suppose there comes a time when it's no longer about money. You can only buy so many houses and cars, y'know?

Far as I know, X-Factor is still in the works. Not sure if it's going to happen this year or in 2011.

Rob wrote:

Unless you're P. Diddy, I suppose there comes a time when it's no longer about money. You can only buy so many houses and cars, y'know?

LOL, yeah P. Diddy still needs to buy some more gold chains. I respect that Simon wants to move on to do other projects---I can't see anything he does from here on out 'failing'. I don't know though, with 144 million dollars, Simon could practically save Haiti single handedly!

Really! When you're dealing with that much money, it seems like the only joy it could bring you is if you give it to other people.

LOL, is anyone still watching? Tonight is the finale! Heading to my parents' now to watch it over there. You know, I hate to say it, but Crystal really killed Lee last night. He seemed SO nervous. She is totally ready and raring to go as "the Idol". BUT, I still want Lee, LOL. I gave him my votes, and based that on all the other performances of him I love in the past. Somehow I have a feeling that Crystal is going to win tonight though, and honestly, I will be thrilled for either one! I really like both of them!

Crystal killed it!

I'm watching! Rooting for Bowersox!

Yeah, Rob, I am pretty shocked too!! I have to say, Crystal did deserve it....she has the stage presence over Lee---she is so comfortable up there, and 'looks' like the Idol. Lee has had a rough couple of nights I think. But, that said, I was very happy for Lee....he is a good guy with a great personality and I think that's what spoke to people. It counts for a lot in this competition.

Loved seeing the Bee Gees tonight, but so sad to see them without Maurice. "How Deep is your Love" is not one of my faves though; I wish they'd picked a different one to sing. Oh, Hall and Oates was good too. Other than them, I wasn't impressed with any of the 'old' singers. Chicago was pretty good though. I thought the tribute to Simon was great and I loved the song with all the past Idols and contestants----they sounded great. Carrie Underwood rocked it tonight---as usual! She's always the best! And I almost didn't recognize Kelly Clarkson!

Aw, I've always loved "How Deep is Your Love." Just a sentimental fool.

I also didn't recognize Kelly. It was only as the other winners appeared that I did a mental backtrack and realized who she was.

I was hoping for a Lynche-Bowersox final, with Bowersox as the winner. But I'm happy for Lee... I guess. Though I've never quite "gotten" him.

Did you hear that it was only a 2 percent gap?!?! Whoa. Also, Ryan didn't mention the number of votes, and he usually does. I am guessing it is WAY down, and that wouldn't surprise me. Not the best season, that's for sure.

I would have been fine with Big Mike in the finals too....I loved the guy! I think Crystal will surprise everyone with how well she does....it's kind of like Kris and Adam last year---it's Adam that you hear on the radio, not Kris. I do think Lee will do OK, but I think Ellen was right that Crystal's voice is unique from the current female artists out there. After hearing a few of her studio versions, I think she'll sell very well.

Teresa, I was bummed that David Cook wasn't on! It says in this article that he had a prior charity commitment. Gotta respect him for that.

Here's an article on the results:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_american_idol_finale_31

I was bummed that David Cook wasn't there as well, Amy. I went to one of his fan sites to see if it said anything, and he was at a cancer charity event in Kansas City.

I'm really happy for Lee. I think this has been my last season for Idol. I may tune into the finale next season, but without Simon, it's just not "Idol." I loved seeing Paula. She cracks me up! You could tell that Simon was really happy to see her as well.

Even though Lee won, Crystal will do better I think... there is just no one out there that sounds/looks like Crystal... and Lee... there are many that do already. But all in all, I'm happy for Lee, he seems like a real nice guy.

Oh my gosh Carol---love the emoticon!

We were all impressed that Paula spoke so coherently last night! I think she only stuttered once. My dad said, "Wow, I think she's off the drugs!"

And Carol, I know what you're saying....Crystal will do just fine and possibly better. With only a 2% gap in the voting, she certainly has her fans too.

Teresa, it will all depend on who they hire, if I stick with this. Seriously, if they hire Howard Stern, I'm OUT. I'm hoping for Harry Connick Jr.....of course nothing will be the same without Simon, but I'll still give it a shot for awhile and see if I can put up with whomever comes next.

congrats to Lee! and Crystal, too. I liked both of them, so I'm happy with the results

Wow, I just found out that Crystal's boyfriend broke up with her on Tuesday, the day of her final performance!! What a jerk! I'm even more impressed that she was not only able to hold it together that night, but did SO well----I mean, this is the guy she wanted to marry!

What?!! Wow...

Here's what Crystal said about it:

"Tony, he went home. He wasn't cool with the lifestyle. We're both logical, grown adults," she said, adding that Kusian is a "small-town guy, and it's fine. ... I didn't think he was up for it. He didn't think he was up for it."

Well, that's all fine and dandy, but he should have waited until things settled down for bit. She seems like a good person---she'll find someone, and hopefully it won't be someone after her money. That has to be the hardest part about becoming famous and suddenly rich overnight.

I suppose if it's any consolation to her, it proves that Tony wasn't after her money.

But yeah, it must be hard for celebrities, not knowing if the people around you like you, or just your money and status. That's why I've gone out of my way to avoid becoming rich and famous. So far so good.

Rob wrote:

I suppose if it's any consolation to her, it proves that Tony wasn't after her money.

But yeah, it must be hard for celebrities, not knowing if the people around you like you, or just your money and status. That's why I've gone out of my way to avoid becoming rich and famous. So far so good.

LOL Rob! And yeah, I was thinking the same thing about Tony.