By Stacey Harrison
PASADENA, Calif. — Making a surprise appearance during the Television Critics Association panel on Monday, Simon Cowell announced that he was leaving American Idol after this season to ready the launch of another talent show, The X Factor, which will premiere on the network in 2011.
Cowell has long been trying to get X Factor on the air in the U.S., and he signed the deal on stage with FOX execs Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice next to him, “so that there can be no more speculation,” said Rice, chairman of entertainment for FOX Broadcasting.
Reilly, president of entertainment for FOX Broadcasting, had no updates regarding reports his network had been wooing Conan O’Brien to defect to FOX amid the late-night shakeup that could bring Jay Leno back to his former 10:35pm slot and push O’Brien and his faltering Tonight Show back to 11:05pm. “I love Conan personally and professionally,” Reilly said. “But he has a decision to make about his future, and until he does, there really can’t be any discussion.” He did say there have been informal talks with O’Brien, but nothing official.