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Entertainment Weekly was lucky enough to grab the always busy Simon Cowell for an interview to discuss his biggest embarrassment of the decade, his favorite entertainers within the past ten years, and how he nearly walked away from the show that turned him into a household name.
Simon mentioned he had been approached to do documentary-style shows in the past but he had always turned the offers down, but went on to accept the jobs for Pop Idol and American Idol. However, Simon got cold feet shortly before AI started up and nearly walked away from the whole deal.
Back in 2002 you told me that a few weeks before American Idol started, you panicked and called your lawyers to try to get you out of the show because you didn’t think Americans would accept a Brit telling them they can’t sing.
That’s exactly what happened. I didn’t realize how much time being on TV was going to take, and I’d always really enjoyed running my record label. And then the idea of doing two shows in one year, I remember thinking, I just really don’t want to do this. And then a friend of mine called me at the last minute and she said, “I think you’re making a mistake. I think you should give it a go. You’ll regret it if you don’t do it.” And that’s what persuaded me to do it. Then I turned up in America to start filming and I’d rented a house. And the first thing the real-estate agent told me was, “I don’t think your show’s going to do very well.” I said “Why?” [and he said]“Because the network has insisted on a month break clause in the deal.” Basically that they could get out of the lease agreement after a month—i.e., if the ratings bomb, we’re out of there. So I don’t think anybody genuinely thought the show was going to be a hit in America.
He went on to add that he’s never negotiated a long-term contract with the show because as American Idol grows in success from one year to the next, the more success he sees in general. Naturally this is a good thing but it also makes his life busier each year and he has to think about the balance required to do all of his commitments justice. Hopefully we’ll never have to worry about Simon Cowell leaving Idol though!
More interview snippets below the cut …
Considering Simon spends so much time in our living rooms sharing his very strong opinions about whether someone has talent or not, it’s always interesting to know which established artists have gained his respect.
Who are some of your favorite entertainers of the last decade?
As an actor, I really like Philip Seymour Hoffman. I think he’s a genius. Music-wise, certainly in the last year I love Lady Gaga. Mainly because she’s made pop music fun again. I love Christina Aguilera, I think she’s incredible. And Beyoncé is the biggest star we’ve seen in 20 years. And I was very negative about her once—far, far too early on in her career.
Finally, the interviewer asked Simon what he considers to be his biggest mistake, his biggest embarrassment of the past decade. When Simon said he’s made many poor decisions but nothing that stands as his biggest regret, the interviewer gave him a funny suggestion.
How about that Scary Movie 3 cameo?
Actually, that’s probably it! I’ll never forget going to that premiere and dying in my seat when the movie came on. I’ve never felt so embarrassed in my life. Lesson learned: Don’t believe that you’re good at other things. I might be okay as a judge, but I’m a lousy actor.
Actually, I have to disagree with him on that – while I’ve never seen Scary Movie 3 I did think he was great doing the cameo in the bonus features of Shrek 2 when they did Faraway Idol!
Catch the remaining excerpts over here. I can’t wait to read the full interview!
Image: BauerGriffinOnline