If you are a Simon Cowell fan you better make sure you tune into to Fox 8 tomorrow night as this will be his last season on American Idol.  There has  been much chatter about whether the highly popular judge was going to leave and now it appears to be true reports news.com.au
In 2011 he is going to concentrate on bringing The X Factor to the US. The X Factor is very popular in the UK and Simon will  be an Executive Producer and judge on the US version of the show. The show is currently screening in 17 countries.

Australia is not one of them. The X Factor was a huge dud for Channel Ten when it launched here many years ago.

American Idol season kicks off on Fox 8 Wednesday 13 January at 7.30pm.

The after shot is American Idol judge Simon Cowell as he is in the new season’s publicity shots, and before is well before. Obviously there has been something cosmetic happening, either in real life on in cyber land.

Call me old fashion, but I think he looks hotter in the before shots.

American Idol showing fastracked on Fox 8 from 7.30pm Wednesday 13 January.

Photo courtesy of City Rag.

Above is a picture of the new cast of American Idol including new judge Ellen De Generes. There is not doubt that Simon Cowell is the star of the show with where he is placed up front and centre in the photo. And so he should be.

Season Nine of American Idol will be fast tracked from the US, and commence on January 13 at 7.30pm, and will be screened every Wednesday and Thursday night. If you are hanging out to see Ellen you will have to wait until February as the audition process had guest judges. These were Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

Veiwers who are currently watching Top Chef Las Vegas on Arena TV will know who the hot Voltaggio brothers are. There is not need to be down when the show finishes in a few weeks, as they will be seen on an internet show in 2010.

Speaking of chefs and reality TV, Curtis Stone is currently filming Celebrity Apprentice, with Donald Trump. Other contestants on the show include Sharon Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper. The prize is not a job with the Donald, but money towards their favourite charities. (Source: Herald Sun)

Reality TV star Tila Tequila’s  fiancee heiress Casey Johnson has died of an overdose. However Tila is still tweeting. (Source Daily Telegraph)

Season One Australian Idol runner up Shannon Noll has parted ways with Sony music, no news on who he will be signing with. (Source: Daily Telegraph)

Simon Cowell has apparently slept with between 70 and 100 women according to the Daily Mail in an article about Warren Beatty’s sexual dalliances.

News from other American Idol alumni, ABC News has an indepth interview with judge Kara DioGuardi, which talks about how she got into song writing. Also new judge Ellen De Generes talks about her role as a judge here.

Masterchef Australia continues its aim of global domination with the show premiering in Britain on UKTV on the 18 January. Will Matt Preston have an international career? Don’t be surprised if this show gains traction over there, and I am sure George Calombaris is already scoping for a restaurant site. (Source UKTV)

Poh Yeow-Ling the runner-up on Masterchef Australia will finally be going to work with Curtis Stone later this month in LA. Celebrity chef Curtis offered her this mentorship at the finale. While she is there Poh may be able to give him some tips on being on a reality TV show, as he is a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. (Source Daily Telegraph)

Child Reality TV Star found dead in India. Apparently she suicided after her parents stopped her from going to dance class. Full story on Adelaide Now.

The Contender finalists will be Garth Wood and Kariz Kariuki. The final will be shown next Monday the 11 January. They winner will receive $25,000, a car, the title of “Contender Champion” and the opportunity to fight Anthony Mundine this year with a $250,000 prize purse.

Popular American Idol contestant Jason Castro at 22 years of age has married his girlfriend in Texas. He proposed on Halloween. No news yet on whether she is pregnant. (Source: RTE)

Britain’s Got Talent Runner Up, Susan Boyle, wants to date Simon Cowell. Unsurprising but disturbing nonetheless, doesn’t she know he would never date a 48 year old. (Source Hollyscoop) She also talks to Who Mag about her amazing year.

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi may have slipped and told everyone she is having a girl in an interview with Jimmy Fallon. Padma who is pregnant with her first child has not revealed who the father is. Not that there is anything wrong with that. (Source Examiner)

 Nicole Ritchie will be a guest judge on the seventh season of Project Runway. No news yet on when Australia will be getting to see the sixth season of the show. (Source Digital Spy)

It is holiday’s everywhere and a lot of people are on vacation, reality stars are no exception. Here is Dr Drew Pinsky from Celebrity Rehan on holidays in Hawaii with his family. I must confess I do prefer him clothed.

Also Simon Cowell is having his usual holiday in sunny Barbados, rumour has it a new girlfriend is there with him.

Also Simon’s brother also revealed that this will be the last year he will be a judge on American Idol as he wants to concentrate on bringing The X Factor to the US. (Source: Mail on Sunday)

Ruby Rose To Host  A New Reality TV Show Called “The Ultimate School Musical”

This new Fox 8 show is based on a format from the UK. They will follow one school over a period of time as they produce a musical theatre production. For schools that are interested details will be on Fox8.foxtel.com.au website from tomorrow. I wonder if the performing arts high schools are going to be allowed to apply?

Last Week Foxtel Made An Announcement Where New Channels Were Announced And Foxtel Providers Will Finally Get Go

Foxtel will add a raft of channels, alot being the very handy +2 channels, as well as finally screening Nine’s second free to air channel GO which is aimed at a 20 to 39 age demographic. Also Seven’s new channel will be screened as well. Unfortunately there will be no 24 hour reality TV channel. TV Tonight has more information on Foxtel’s plans.

Simon Cowell’s 50th Deluxe Birthday Bash

Simon Cowell had a one million pound birthday bash just outside of London to celebrate his 50th birthday. Daily Mail has a good rundown on the event including a lot of pictures of some of the birthday guests arriving.

Padma Lakshmi Pregnant With Her First Child

Female First# reveals the delicious Top Chef host, Padma Lakshmi, has a bun in the oven (yes that was an intended pun). Padma’s pregnancy is fabulous news for the 39 year old as she suffers from endometriosis. She has not named the father. Also if you are a Padma fan here is a NY Times article where she outlines what she does on a Sunday.

Housewives Of Atlanta  – Kandi’s Fiancee Ashley Jewell Dead

People Mag states that one of the Atlanta housewives Kandi fiancee died after a brawl in a carpark outside an Atlanta strip bar. Fredrick Richardson has been charged with voluntary manslaughter.

Heidi Klum To Change Last Names To Samuel

Access Hollywood reveals that Heidi Klum will being changing her name to Seal’s last name Samuel. I find it interesting considering has only just been known by the one name.

American Idol’s Alison Iraheta Is Releasing A Single

NY Daily states that the most talented girl singer in this year’s American Idol will be releasing a single. This girl is one to watch and will probably have a bit post – Idol career. As will hopefully runner-up Adam Lambert.

So I am reading my Google Alerts and I see the words Simon Cowell, plunging neckline, swath of chest hair and deep tan. I could not click on the link to the Huffington Post quick enough.

And this is what I saw.

Seriously I was hoping expecting some ’70′s porn look, but clearly the author and I have different views on what the words plunging, swath and deep mean.

If you are wondering who the American Idol judge is with it is Sinitta his ex-girlfriend.

Celebrity MasterChef Australia – Anna Bligh Cooked A Kylie Kwong Dish

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has now filmed her episode for Celebrity MasterChef. Apparently she cooked Duck with Citrus Sauce, one of Kylie Kwong’s staple dishes. Ms Bligh said she was nervous before the show. She has attracted criticism from the Queensland Opposition and some media commentators for appearing on the show.

It was not revealed if Anna Bligh made it to the semi’s.  Source: News.com.au

Ellen De Generes To Be The New American Idol Judge

Talk show host and comedian Ellen De Generes will be the fourth person on the judging panel for the next season of American Idol. Ellen who has not musical experience says she “will be the voice of the people”. News.com.au

Project Runway Australia Host Kristy Hinze To Start University

Kristy Hinze has decided to study marine biology at a New York University. Kristy who is married to billionaire Jim Clark completed her Higher School Certificate last year with his encouragement. (Source News.com.au)

Sometimes Simon Cowell Is A Complete Tool

In an article in the Herald Sun Simon Cowell states that The Beatles would not have gotten past an audition on The X Factor. Apparently Simon has a problem with Ringo Starr’s drumming skills. Though in this article here he maintains his comments were a joke.

All Is Real On The Rachel Zoe Project

An article in NY Mag states that Rachel Zoe’s assistant Brad Goreski assures the viewers that everything they see on the show is real and not staged. Apparently her persona on the show is the same in real life.

Fox In The US Screened So You Think You Can Dance Rather Than Obama’s Speech On Health Care Reform

Huffington Post  writer Andy Ostroy was apopolytic that Fox would show So You Think You Can Dance instead of Obama’s speech on health care reforms, like the other channels did. The US President did manage to make a joke out of it the next day as apparently his wife Michelle is a fan of the show.

Simon Cowell Looking Hot

For once American Idol judge’s Simon Cowell witty repartee left him when Prince Phillip said to him after a variety concert ” So you sponge of him?” pointing to X-Factor winner Paul Potts.

Why Simon Cowell did not zing him with a come back like “Well at least I am not sponging off ALL the taxpayers of Britian?” I do not know.

On the evolutionary scale of tools Prince Phillip is certainly higher up food chain than Cowell. And really there will have been a greater outpouring of grief for reality TV star Jade Goodey than the Prince. At least her legacy has ensured women are now going to have pap smears to detect cervical cancer. What will his be?

Full story here.