Sean Borg Goes LA! » American Idol

X Factor: U.S Critics Slam Steve Jones Labeling Him ‘Utterly Irrelevant’!

SBGLA — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:34:05 +0000

I was wondering how long it would take before the U.S media started tearing into X Factor host Steve Jones, after Simon Cowell handed the Welsh hunk the job of a lifetime.

Disappointingly, Jones’ performance on the show has received less-than-positive feedback, with reviewers who appear to be lining up to slam his presenting skills.

The 34-year-old ex-model was poised to become as big as American Idol star Ryan Seacrest, but so far hasn’t received many plaudits of the show, which launched in America on Wednesday night.

The New York Times has described Jones as ‘utterly irrelevant,’ while The Boston Herald‘s Mark A Perigard said he ‘is so far in the background, he might as well be on another network.’

Initially Jones was set to team up with Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger, but she has since moved to the judging panel after Cheryl Cole was axed from the position.

But to be fair on poor Jonesy, it is only the first week and most of what we saw on the fist show was filmed months ago, the real test for Steve will come when the show goes live. By then hopefully his nerves would have had time to calm down and we’ll get to see him shine the way us Brits have on telly back in the UK… Personally, I didn’t think ol’ Stevie-boy was all that bad!

Posh Helps Honour Simon Fuller on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

Tue, 24 May 2011 21:44:05 +0000

‘I want one!’… I can only imagine that is what pregnant fashion designer Victoria Beckham might have been thinking to herself earlier this week while attending a ceremony for fellow Brit, Simon Fuller, who was presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame… Er, perhaps?

Close friends, Simon and Vic’ go way back as it was Simon who first brought us the Spice Girls, AND who is responsible for bringing American Idol to our screens…For those reasons alone, I reckon this guy deserves his place on Hollywood Boulevard!

However, there was no sign of posh’s hubby David Beckham, the soccer ace is currently back in the UK to play in a testimonial football match for close friend and former teammate Gary Neville. Becks is also on Royal duties once again, the star is due to have dinner with the Queen and President Obama while on his visit to the UK…One can smell the knighthood…

Victoria, who was looking her usual gorgeous self while doing her trademark poses for the cameras and fans, bought along her eldest son Brooklyn to join the celebrations, which included A-liters Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and a host of American Idol contestants…I guess this is one way of promoting the shows finale!

Simon Cowell Opens Up On Oprah’s Own!

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:28:31 +0000

There are probably quite a few ‘suits’ in Hollywood kicking themselves after pointing Simon Cowell towards the exit sign back in the day, when the 51-year-old mogul, who’s personal wealth is now estimated at around $250 million, arrived in Tinseltown to pitch Pop Idol… You know, that ‘little’ talent show we all now know and love as American Idol!

Talking to Oprah Winfrey on her new show Master Class airing tonight on American TV, Simon confesses he was more or less kicked out of a US television network after failing to impress its bosses.

This saw Cowell leaving Los Angeles, as he explains, “with my tail between my legs”.

Master Class is Oprah’s new show on her Own network and takes an unprecedented look into the minds of true modern masters, like Cowell, who Winfrey considers have made a unique impact on the world of entertainment.

Cowell confides he was left disappointed sitting on the steps outside the unnamed company after he forgot to hire a car, turning to the other Simon [Fuller], saying: “The good news is, it will never get worse than this.”

And sure enough things got much better, after several more meetings the Fox network eventually bought Idol, dropping the ‘Pop’ and branding it ‘American’, changing many lives and turning Simon Cowell into an international star.

Now, Cowell, TV’s former ‘Mr. Nasty’ turned nice is poised to launch an American version of X Factor with a budget of around $300 million and a predicted 30 million viewers, er, not bad for someone left sitting on the steps after having doors slam on him left, right and center… There’s hope for us all!

I’d say if that story were anything to go by then X Factor should become an even bigger success than Idol… We certainly hope so…

Hollywood suits take note!

Who Has The Specs Factor… Radcliff or Cowell?

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:38:41 +0000

Simon Cowell has always had the magicians touch, turning hundreds of wannabes into superstars with those magic words, “You’re through to the next round.”

On last nights X Factor (UK), Simon donned a pair Harry Potter style-specs reminiscent of those worn by Daniel Radcliff in the hit movies.

And if you ask me, I agree with the hundreds of twitterers bombarding the official X Factor Twitter page loving Simon’s new look, indeed there is an uncanny resemblance to the boy wizard, taking the odd wrinkle into consideration, of course…

One said: “Simon Cowell in glasses looks like a 50-year-old Harry Potter…” Another fan tweeted: “Simon Cowell and harry potter separated at birth Loved those glasses lol”

Could this be Cowell’s way of hinting to play Potter’s pop in the next movie..? I wouldn’t be surprised; anything is possible in Cowell’s world!

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Chezza’s Small Surprise For Birthday Boy Si!

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 21:39:36 +0000

What’s all this then? Is Simon Cowell auditioning for the role of Gulliver? Er, Noooo!

Earlier today, X Factor‘s Cheryl Tweedy (aka Chezza) gave her boss and fellow judge Simon a birthday gift he will never forget.

The ex-American Idol judge who turned 51 got the shock of his life when a gang of um… Lilliputians little people, wearing grey T-shirts that read “Happy Birthday, Love Cheryl,” serenaded Cowell outside the show’s studios in Lilliput London.

Knowing ‘shy Si,’ he’s not really one who handles being the center of attention too well, so I can only imagine his embarrassment when Chezza sprang the ‘trinket-sized’ surprise prank.

However, it seems Simon treated himself to a slightly bigger gift than the one Cheryl bought him, as later in the day he was spotted driving around in a brand new Ferrari California, a luxury car which comes with a price tag of around $230,000… And I know which gift I’d prefer!

Happy Birthday Si! I reckon, thanks to Chezza, you feel like a ‘big man’ now, eh?

J-Lo Becomes New American Idol Judge!

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:11:11 +0000

No official announcements have been made, but, after months of speculation and gossip, various news outlets have reported that triple-threat performer Jennifer Lopez has finally come to an agreement with television network Fox to be one of the new judges of the massively popular singing competition series American Idol.

J-Lo joins Idol on the tail end of the biggest shake up the show has ever been through since its inception. After original judge Paula Abdul was replaced by both Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi, it was not long before both women announced their departures from the show – Degeneres after one year and DioGuardi after two. Meanwhile, influential judge Simon Cowell walked away from his spot on the judges’ panel to focus on developing the American version of The X Factor.

Early on, Jenny from the block was thought to be a likely candidate to become a new judge on American Idol; however, J-Lo’s future involvement with the show fell into a mire of doubt when contract negotiations reportedly stalled due to lofty demands made by the alleged diva. In the end, the Back-up Plan star accepted $12 million for a one-year deal, according to People.

Alongside Lopez and veteran judge Randy Jackson, one seat at the judges’ table remains available and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler is rumoured to be on his way to claiming it. Fox is expected to officially announce the new roster of judges in early October.

Hopefully, J-Lo will bring some much needed fresh energy and flare to the aging yet highly rated show.

Simon Cowell Tips Katy Perry to Become a Judge On the New U.S. X Factor!

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:24:27 +0000

My phone has not stopped ringing this morning with the news that my mate Simon Cowell is hot-tipping Russell Brand’s fiancé, Katy Perry to become a judge on his new up-coming US talent show X Factor.

My inside spies hinted that the Hot ‘n’ Cold singer who previously stepped in as a judge on American Idol after former judge Paula Abdul exited the show, impressed Cowell that much that an offer could be going out to Perry very soon.

I’m told the sexy singer, who is set to wed funnyman Brand in October is secretly thrilled, and I hear the paycheck isn’t half bad either… If a deal is struck Katie could receive as much as $300,000 a show.

I can totally see Katie doing this job after she won the UK public’s approval as a judge on X Factor UK, and though there a many names currently in the frame, my money is on Katy landing this one!

Simon certainly knows how to pick em, but does that mean Cheryl Cole is out of the running? I wonder… !

Mariah Cares about being American Idol Judge!

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:35:54 +0000

Mariah Carey’s husband Nick Cannon has recently revealed that the world famous singer would very much like to be one of the new judges on American Idol.

The so-called Mr. Mariah Carey said: “You know what? She talks about it. She says, ‘I would love to do that.’ She is one of the greatest singers of our time; she would be great. I don’t know if she has enough time, though, but if they could work with her schedule, I know she would love to do ‘Idol’”

Cannon, who hosts America’s Got Talent alongside Brit judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne, might be able to pull some strings for Carey due to the fact that his boss is former influential American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who continues as executive producer of AGT.

To The Hollywood Reporter, Cannon said: “Simon Cowell was the anchor of the show. And when he stepped out, it’s like, now what? But as long as Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson stick around, I’m watching.”

Considering her reported mental instability, tremendous popularity, and extensive industry experience, I say Mariah is the perfect person to be the new Paula.