American Idol says Goodbye to Simon Cowell

Cowell and Fox Television Executives announced in a meeting with Critics Television Association that the former is leaving America's Number 1 reality-based audition show "American Idol" in favor of "The X Factor", a new show that has already debuted in UK. X Factor is owned by Cowell and will be included in Fox's schedule next year.

After this season, Cowell is the second judge to leave the show after Paula Abdul who has been replaced by Ellen Degeneres. While Simon admitted that he earns a lot in "Idol", around $36 a year, he is set to make more should X Factor becomes a hit in the US. Fox executives are still looking for a replacement that would create a good chemistry with other judges.