The persistent rumors that Simon Cowell will jump ship from Idol after the 2010 season hit a fever pitch this week, thanks to a report in the London Times claiming that Cowell is preparing an American version of the hit British talent show series The X Factor. “The X Factor is due to begin filming in Los Angeles in September 2011, to be shown on Fox and presented by Cowell,” the Times reports. Fox is denying official comment, so this latest wrinkle could be nothing more than meaningless buzz. But that hasn’t stopped us from buzzing about it here at EW — because if true, this would be monumental. After all, Cowell’s American Idol contract expires in May, and if the judge does decide to branch out on his own and assert total creative control over an American X-Factor, we have to wonder if [Seacrest voice] “This. Is the End. Of the road” for American Idol.
Superficially, they seem like the same show — Chosen Ones sing, viewers vote — except that in The X Factor, the judges take on more of a mentoring role with the contestants, so it’s almost like a competition among the judges as well. (I’m suddenly hearing Heidi Klum’s voice: “Models, this is a competition for you as well.”) But perhaps the two shows could coexist on Fox, providing the network with a full year of singing-competition material. Though it’s probably also worth mentioning here that The X Factor was the U.K.’s replacement for Pop Idol in 2004.
Here at EW, we’re devout Idol fans, but even we would check out a new competition show from Cowell. What about you, PopWatcher Idol fans? If Cowell does exit American Idol to launch a U.S. X-Factor, should they continue AI or just end it? Would you be interested in a new singing competition with Cowell behind it?
Big Love‘s season premiere is a just 22 days away, and while I’m obviously extremely excited, today’s news that 
The girls brought their best dresses and smackiest lip gloss down to Fort Lauderdale. Lynne, looking like Tawny Kitaen on check-in day of Celebrity Rehab, brought her meds and her high flip-flops. Her neck was locked, her ears were puffed, and she was on a hunt for some swamp-raised shrooms. We knew Jim and Simon would be in tow. What we didn’t expect was Slade sauntering into the lobby in a pair of white shorts. Vicki’s face went slack, and her twitching eye went into overdrive. Vicki had rightfully complained that having a few of the men in the midst would upset the rhythm of her woo woo. Cut to Tamra stroking her husband’s thigh with a little patented Housewives sweet talk: “Is that a wallet in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” Vicki you’re a nut, but congratulations on having the good sense to excuse yourself to the mini-bar and high thread count sheets in your hotel room. I like to imagine that you Skyped Don for a little pep talk but I worry that instead you left five panicked messages for Brianna asking her to call you back and tell you how much she loved you. 
