Television May 22, 2007
Simon's Bombshell Confession! Is He Leaving Idol?
As Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis get ready to make headlines Tuesday night, Simon Cowell is breaking major news only to "Extra!"
Does he have plans for his own "American Idol" finale?
Yes!
Simon told our own Terri Seymour that the clock on "Idol" is ticking for him, and that in a few years - he'll be gone!
"There comes a point where you've got to move on," Simon explained. "You've got to say when your time's up."
Say it isn't so! What is America going to do without Mr. Mean?
"This is the year I decided that on 'American Idol,' once I've done 10 series, your time's up. It's time to do something new," he told us.
Wait...that leaves three more seasons left with Simon. Then what?
"I think it's time to bring in new people, because I think you know, 10 years is a long time," he said. "And we've just got to make the next three great."
So what happens after Simon bids adieu to "Idol?" He told us, "I think I'd rather drop dead than retire."
So we can be sure Simon is going to be in the limelight, throwing nasty comments our way for a long time to come.
In fact, he told us he's got some pretty big plans up his sleeve - he might be working with none other than Michael Jackson!
"We were planning something with the record label maybe for 'Thriller,' but we'll see what happens," Simon divulged. "I can't tell you more than that. A big, big tribute, but we'll see."
Mr. Nasty and the King of Pop together? Talk about what could be the biggest musical comeback of all time!
All of that is still a few years away, but Simon already has an idea of who he wants to replace him...Donald Trump!