Simon Cowell's Golden Touch

CNN's Anderson Cooper Interviews The Acerbic "American Idol" Judge

(CBS)  In 2001, Cowell was part of team that created "Pop Idol" in England. It was an instant hit. But when they brought it to America, it wasn't an easy sell.

Even FOX didn't jump on it. But the daughter of Rupert Murdoch, CEO and chairman of News Corporation, FOX's parent company, loved the English version of "Idol," and convinced her dad to buy the show.

What most viewers probably don't realize is that Cowell isn't just a high-paid judge, he gets a piece of the action. Local versions are now seen in more than 30 countries.

"What we need to do is credit them with the reason it's going to go to No. 1, that's all there is to it," Cowell says.

Cowell and Sony BMG control the recording rights to every "Idol" artist worldwide. That means every time an "Idol" artist sells a song, Simon Cowell makes more money.

"A lot of people who know of you probably think you wanted to be on 'American Idol,' and you started 'American Idol' because you wanted to be on TV. But, in fact, that had nothing to do with it," notes Cooper.

"My only interest was 'Idol' was a vehicle to launch records," he says. "That was the only thing I was thinking about. But, what we actually did, interestingly by doing 'Idol,' was I signed the biggest artist on the planet, and it's called 'Idol,' because every single 'Idol' winner is now signed through Sony BMG. And, this applies to all the countries we sell 'Idol' to, which is over 30 countries. So, there's probably now 75 to 100 artists all signed through this one center thing."

Among those artists are some major stars. Both Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are multiple Grammy winners and together have sold almost 20 million CDs. Put in perspective, Cowell makes more money for Sony BMG than most of their biggest artists.

Take Bruce Springsteen, for example. Sony BMG has a deal with Springsteen reported to be about $100 million.

Is Simon Cowell as important to Sony BMG as Springsteen?

"In terms of selling records, yes," Cowell says. "I sell more records than Bruce Springsteen, sure. Yeah. I mean, in the last five years I've probably sold over 100 million records. If he got 100, I should have got 500. But, I mean, you know, a $100 million deal is — that's a great deal, for him. For him, it's a good deal."

[zinfulme]

As great a program as 60 Minutes is, watching Anderson Cooper "interview" Simon Cowell was journalism at its worst. Don''t get me wrong, I like Anderson Cooper''s style and poise, but SIMON COWELL? Mr. Cowell is the English verison of Howard Stern; a corporate pimp who admittedly has no talent to speak of. The sad part is, people actually like the guy, and some don''t even object to being insulted by him. Think about it...this guy makes millions of dollars each year without an iota of talent....as a society, we are surely doomed!

[eama-2009]

Simon who? Whenever Anderson Cooper reports on anything or anyone, he steals the show. The fact that he is the total package--gorgeous, intelligent and witty--make him the hottest man in the world. Every time I see him on TV, I can''t fully concentrate on what he''s reporting on. Sure, this story may have been a bit of a waste of AC''s extensive talents, but like always, he did an amazing job telling it.

[awbsdad]

Simple Simon.....

[southcst1]

There is no American Idol without Simon, period. Shock sells, he knows that, Howard Stern knows that, it's not hard to figure out. No one is waiting to see what Randy (waz up dawg)Jackson says, or Paula (whacked out) Abdul says. Who's opinion is everyone waiting for? Whether he is for real or an act, it doesn't matter. He's the only one that does what it takes to make that show so successful.

[clfish1]

I love 60 minutes and Anderson Cooper but Simon
I could live without, the man is a zit on the ***
of humanity. If Simon lived in Biblical times he would have made fun of Jesus's thorn crown and
he wouldn't have asked the Jews their opinion on
crucifixion. I don't watch reality TV or Idol
and the like,it make stars of Simon Cowell and Paris Hilton. Programing like that is the reason I won't pay for cable TV. Simon Cowell saying he should be paid more than Bruce Springteen now that sounds delusional.

[barnsinger]

Kudos to 60 Minutes and Anderson Cooper for a wonderful interview with the magnificent Simon Cowell. He is England's greatest gift to America since the Beatles. He's brilliant, funny, witty, honest, and hotter than steaks on a grill. Simon IS American Idol; without him, it would be Star Search. He also is an excellent race car driver; 175 on his first time at the wheel of an Indy car isn't shabby at all!! Andretti, Waltrip, and Busch were just having fun with him; he knows they were really impressed. Thanks again for giving this amazing man some much deserved coverage.

[etoilebebe]

You guys that have convinced yourselves that Cowell is talented, are delusional!! %u201CSimple Simon%u2019s%u201D so-called %u201Ctalent%u201D are nothing more than Muzak singers who merely interpret someone else%u2019s songs. How many of Cowell%u2019s people write their own music? That is the real talent of people like Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Alicia Keyes, Anita Baker, James Blunt, George Michael, Bono, even Madonna, and others. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. %u201CAmerican Idol%u201D isn%u2019t even unique; it%u2019s nothing more than a glorified %u201CGong Show.%u201D

Capiruza88, I am soooo glad you think "Sadistic Simon" is soooo hot, h'ell feel right "at home" when he gets to Hell!!

[capiruza88]

I think he is soooo hot and he tell it like it is no running around there it is he is total honest and thats why we love him. GO SIMON!!!!!

[mateoc1]

I work with kids and when announcing the judges on American Idol they cheer for Paula and Boo for Simon, because in their infinite wisdom they understand what Simon is, a bully. Its really to bad that as we age we become bitter and embrace nastiness instead of love.

[mateoc1]

I work with kids and when announcing the judges on American Idol they cheer for Paula and Boo for Simon, because in their infinite wisdom they understand what Simon is, a bully. It is really to bad that as we age we become bitter and embrace nastiness instead of love.

[mitywhity]

I work with kids and when announcing the judges on American Idol they cheer for Paula and Boo for Simon, because in their infinite wisdom they understand what Simon is, a bully. It is really to bad that as we age we become bitter and embrace nastiness instead of love.
...............................Posted by MateoC1

Just shut up! That is puke! Kids resent any and all authority by nature of being kids. LOVE? No person hiring one of your little darlings is going to hire them because they "LOVE" them! They will only hire them IF they have the skills! Keep on raising up your little losers and we "Simons" will just kick their teeth in later on down the road.

[mitywhity]

I do not watch this show because I don't watch any TV at all - period. BUT I love the fact that this dude is not a weenie-backed appeaser and he sticks it to the those who get in the way of real talent. Why is he so hated? He goes against all this political-correctness that has infected the USA like a plague. We need more Simons in this country!

[chucktr150]

Did Cowell learn anything from the brutal and accurate comments on how he%u2019s doing with his own dream made by Messrs. Andretti, Busch, and Waltrip? No way. But, for the rest of us who despise the ugly side of %u201CIdol%u201D and its spokesman, it was payment in coin that Cowell should know well. The poor unfortunates he crucifies on Idol are NOT there to %u201Cgive them a chance%u201D , but to give the show%u2019s creator, Cowell, a public forum for his sadism.

But what really amazes me is the revelation the Murdochs and Fox didn%u2019t embrace this concept instantly. It%u2019s a perfect fit for their lowest-common-denominator approach to entertainment AND journalism.

It was once said of a great newspaperman that he %u201Chad his finger on the pulse of the people%u201D. Murdoch%u2019s success comes from his ability to fondle the public genitals. He and Cowell are a marriage made in the nether regions.

[wiredwilly]

Simon Cowell is to Bruce Springsteen as " The Gong Show" is to
" Easy Rider ".

[teeus]

Hey, teeus, no one would even know who Springteen is if someone like Simon Cowell hadn't been around to record, market, and distribute his records. There's ALWAYS a Simon and there ALWAYS will be.
Posted by ajaxrose1 at 02:13 PM : Mar 16, 2007

DIdn't say otherwise. But that doesn't make the AGENT more important than the artist.

[gqgirl]

Wow, Cowell is truly barbaric!

[mbr4317]

So what if Simon gets a little rough with his insults. Some of those contestants should have been told by their friends or family that they can't sing. I would think that if you have the courage to stand in front of people and sing that your skin is already tough so a little of Simon's criticism would only make you tougher!. These people subject themselves voluntarily so when they open their mouths and the train wreck begins it's fun to see Simon finish it off. So get over it! If you are living in that good-feeling-touchy-feely-every one's a winner in little league world, get out more: that's not real life!

[plowhandle]

Please remove this stupid story from your website, as we have had enough of this talent-free asswad Cowell's face and name being splashed across our screens. He has LESS talent than Groucho Marx's cigar and far less camera appeal than Anna Nicole Smith, even as a rotted corpse.

Stop trying to flout this piece of ******* as anything but what he is - a twisted, one-note pony whose time has passed.

[macolley]

as a british springsteen fan I can only apologise for inflicting the american people with Mr cowell.He does not write spine chilling lyrics that relate to everybody he is just a buisnessman who takes advantage of desperate,talented people and creams off the money from their record sales and dumps them he has no feelings just selfishness.If people stopped voting for the artists in his show that would be the end of him.

[sainethepain]

You are kidding? This guy is not worth the power to blow him up. He is a big ***.