Simon Cowell: American Idol judge and mega-multi-millionaire
Fox and 19 Entertainment, the producers behind American Idol, the music career-launching vehicle that has produced stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, David Cook, and Adam Lambert, are about to launch their biggest non-musical star into the salary stratosphere.
According to PopEater.com and the New York Post, the Idol conglomerate is offering judge Simon Cowell a pay raise in the neighborhood of $100-$144 million dollars for next season. At the top end of that scale, that's a 400 percent increase over his current $36 million per season. Even the best of the artists he judges on the hit television show are likely not pulling in anywhere near that amount of money.
The entire Idol entity generates approximately $900 million dollars, meaning Cowell will be raking in about 15 percent of the show's annual revenue.
For his contributions to American Idol, does Cowell deserve that kind of money? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Comments
he should be offered whatever he wants.. Without him there's no show and therefore no 900 million.
I thought he was leaving the show. I guess they can't find anyone as obnoxious and tactless, so they'll pay him whatever. He probably is one of the main attractions.
I agree with ArB. Without Simon there is no show and therefore, yeah, offer him whatever he wants.
I tend to agree he's a big part of what makes that show tick. With that in mind, how long do you think the show would last without him?
I'm positive it would survive at least one season, but more? That'd be tough.
Love how they mention Adam Lambert and not Kris Allen.
I love AI, but I agree with everyone else that the show is nothing without Simon. He makes the show and is very smart about his opinion's. He and Paula also make the show much more fun to watch by them having fun together and fueding with each other or whatever the situation is at the time.
HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!
American idol could not exist without legendary Mr. Cowell he makes the show as entertaining, catchy abs popular as it is, plus, almost all his advice is right!! I love Simon so thank God they are paying do much to keep him around. If not ggf shows ratings would go wayyyy down. Simon is worth every dime of that $144 million because without him AI wouldn't be taking anything in!! Good decision executives!!
yeah... adam lambert!!! kris who?
david cook!!! David who ? ( archuleta)
I think that without Glambert AI is over. Even though I like Simon, I don't think that he should be getting that much money. It is ridiculous. Hey, Obama will put a stop to that...ha ha... he wants to cap celebrities earnings. way to go people for voting for that idiot. and you ppl thought Bush was bad. Just wait.
Adam Lambert FTW! Thats what im talkin about!!
Nobody deserves that much money...$36 million was absurd. It is a shame people are so greedy.
@Cathy, that's cuz the writer isn't stupid. Adam Lambert is a star and Kris Allen is not.
Learn to live with it.
I guess they wouldn't be paying it if they didn't think he was worth it to the show.
Beata, Bush wasn't bad, he was a tragedy. Get a grip.
On occasion, someone like Simon Cowell comes along and absolutely captivates the public with his personality and judgement. It isn't learned; it's inate. As to whether he's "worth" 900 million, it's the business AND the people who determine that. Look at the athletes who "play" for millions! I'm not a TV fan, but I do love music, so I say "go Simon" - you've brought us all so much joy from people we would never have have had the opportunity to hear. I thank you.
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