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Simon Cowell

Going Yearly Rate For Pissy, Dream-Snuffing Superstars: $144 Million

Written by Seth Abramovitch | 30 Jun 2009, 9:00 AM | 6 comments

cowell.jpgAs the American Idol machinery flickers back to life, pulling its talent-search circus from town to town in a billion-dollar quest for the next global music phenomenon, its single most essential ingredient — the catty and callous judge Simon Cowell — has yet to renew his contract.

A TV producer and recording industry executive with a net worth said to be upwards of $200 million, Cowell joined forces this year with British billionaire Sir Philip Green (owner of Marks & Spencer, Top Shop and many other U.K. retail chains) to launch a “global entertainment company that will create and own television content on both sides of the Atlantic,” The Guardian reports. Green has also been Cowell’s negotiator in his Idol talks, for which a source close to collaborator-turned-litigious-rival Simon Fuller claims he’s been offered “three to four times the $36m he was paid for American Idol in 2008.” Also on the verge of expiring is his three-year deal with Britain’s ITV, which produced X-Factor and Susan Boyle-unraveling talent showcase Britain’s Got Talent.

The astronomical numbers certainly cast Cowell’s general air of “anywhere but here” twat-iness in a new light, breaking his services down thusly:

· $10.1 million per sheer, manboob-maximizing black sweater
· $8.7 million per thinly veiled jab at Ryan Seacrest’s homosexual/pedophilic/cross-dressing tendencies
· $2.2 million per whispered attempt at inducing televised Paula Abdul schizophrenic breakdown
· $725,000 per exasperated sigh
· $1250 per metaphor involving the words “karaoke,” “cruise ship,” “cat,” “dreadful,” or “ungodly”
· $1.75 per deflected audience jeer

· Can Cowell back a global winner? [Guardian]

Tagged: american idol, simon cowell

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Comments

From OldTowneTavern | Reply
Posted 30 Jun 2009, 9:55 AM

See, how many celebrities' salaries can be justified like this. Pay the man!

From Old No.7 | Reply
Posted 30 Jun 2009, 10:05 AM

Hey wait a minute... I'm an asshole, I can make snarky comments, and I know shitty talent when I see it... where's my $144 Million?

From Seth Abramovitch | Reply
Posted 30 Jun 2009, 10:23 AM

Let's just say 'Old No.7's Talent Search' is a show I'd watch religiously.

From el smrtmnky | Reply
Posted 30 Jun 2009, 4:27 PM

j'agreed. let's get that bitch started up at SXSW. like Kubrick, ON7 doesn't travel.

From Liz Lemonazi | Reply
Posted 30 Jun 2009, 10:43 AM

Lack of any musical knowledge...priceless.

From Lowbrow | Reply
Posted 30 Jun 2009, 8:09 PM

A little unfair when you realize Randy Jackson only gets paid with buffet coupons and Ed Hardy clothing.

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Data courtesy of Rentrak