So long, Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell sets foot on the Idol stage for the last time, with Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest. (Photo: AP)

“When everyone asks who’s going to replace me, who’s going to be the next judge, the truth is you guys are the judge of this show and you’ve done an incredible job over the years,” Simon Cowell told the audience in the Nokia Theatre, and the millions watching at home, during the American Idol Season 9 finale.

Known for his blunt and sarcastic comments, Cowell had been the face of the most popular show on North American TV since it began airing in 2002. From the piercing “atrocious” to the elating “fantastic”, the contestants and viewers would surely agree that no one’s got the guts to say these words better than Simon Cowell.

Now, as he imports a hit singing competition from Britain, known as The X Factor, where he’s the executive producer and top judge, he walks away from Idol.

“I’m feeling a bit sad now, because we’re nearly there. But at the same time, do you remember the last three weeks when you were leaving school and you kind of couldn’t wait to get out? It’s a little bit like that. It’s kind of exciting,” Cowell replied when asked if he was happy about leaving.

Meanwhile, in the last night of Idol, fellow judge Paula Abdul returned to the Idol stage to pay tribute to Cowell while comedian Dane Cook wove his popular lines into a song.

The question that remains is that: How will the network replace America’s favorite judge?

“We have to find a judge to replace Simon who provides both musical credibility and an incredible entertainment value,” Peter Rice, entertainment chairman for the Fox Networks Group, told reporters last week. “Anytime you have a change, it’s something you have to do right.”