Simon Cowell recently admitted that he may step away from the trend of hiring mega famous judges for his new X Factor panels.

The music mogul recently dropped Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from his American lineup and rumours suggest that he is planning to axe Kelly Rowland from his UK show in much the same manner.

The TV boss is said to be on the hunt for replacement females and names reported to be in the frame have included Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Madonna, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj.

However, in a recent interview while Simon admitted that he would love to have any of the above stars on his shows, he also said that he believed the format could work without majorly famous judges and at least in that way, it would bring the focus back to the contestants, rather than the panel.

We aren’t completely sure that he meant what he said, but our writer Gerard McGarry has put together a great article over on our American blog on why Simon should steer away from famous faces and how he could benefit from bringing in lesser known experts instead.

Gerard makes the point that the Idol franchise didn’t start out with superstars on the panel. Let’s face it, Cowell was not a public figure before his talent show days, neither was Louis Walsh before Pop Idol, yet the show was a huge success. American Idol took The States by storm, yet Cowell was an unknown, Randy Jackson a barely famous bassist and Paula Abdul a has been, who once performed with an animated cat.

Did you know who Len Goodman or Bruno Tonioli were before Strictly? No? We didn’t either, but still the show has become the most successful and copied TV format worldwide. Can you see where we’re going with this?

Also, it must be considered that these days, very often, the celebrity judges totally overshadow their own acts. Newspapers are more interested in what Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Rowland, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell are doing than they ever are in the contestants of the show, and often the focus of the series is on the spats between the stars and what the celebrities are wearing, rather than on the vocal performances or the talent of the hopefuls.

Gerard also thinks it can be a bad idea for real music stars to become attached to reality TV shows, because in the end it often harms their integrity. The performers may enjoy a boost to their fame and fortune thanks to the increased exposure, but when they are forced to lie repeatedly (remember when Gary Barlow admitted that he lied for Frankie Cocozza?) people start to see through the act and start to doubt their honesty and their credibility.

We think what Simon Cowell needs to realise is that we don’t need celebrities to judge, we just need good judges. You can read Gerard’s full article here and if you’re at all interested in the subject you really should, he makes some excellent points.

For now though, we want to know, do you think Cowell, ITV and Fox need to concentrate on finding big named stars to join The X Factor, or should they be bringing it back to basics and making the series’ about finding a real life, talented performer?

Leave your comments, musings and ramblings on the issue below.

View the original post X Factor 2012: Why Simon Cowell doesn’t need Madonna, Katy Perry, Cheryl Cole or other A-List judges on Unreality TV

Simon Cowell has admitted that both Katy Perry and Madonna would be on the list of his dream judges for his American X Factor series.

The music mogul fired Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from the judging panel of the show last week and is currently on the lookout for two stars who can replace the female singers.

Many names have been in the frame for the role and speaking to his ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour on Extra yesterday, Cowell addressed a few of the rumours.

He insisted that Mariah Carey will not be joining the show, not because he doesn’t want her, but because with her baby twins, she has too many family commitments, to want to be travelling the country and working long hours, as they audition for and then film the hit Fox series.

Simon said:

“I don’t think Mariah would make that commitment. I really, really don’t. She’s just had kids, you have to work five days a week on this show and do all the travelling as well, so she won’t be on the list.”

However, even though she recently insisted that she wouldn’t join the judging lineup, Cowell confessed that he would love to land singer, actress and queen of pop Madonna, adding:

“Yes I think she would be great, in terms of experience and success.”

The TV boss already had Katy Perry work on the UK X Factor as a guest judge and at the time, spoke about how impressed he was by her wit, her knowledge and her sassy nature. Asked if he would consider asking her to step into Paula or Nicole’s shoes, Cowell continued:

“I worked with Katy once, I think she would be fun. I think she is hard, in a good way and she’s feisty.”

Simon also quashed rumours that Elton John is on his list, saying he would be too difficult to work with and added that he doesn’t necessarily need to have an a list star on the panel, for the show to be a success.

He insisted:

‘It’s all about the contestants.’

Our question…Then why does it never work out that way?

View the original post Simon Cowell wants Katy Perry and Madonna but not Mariah Carey for X Factor USA on Unreality TV

Madonna has revealed that she would not consider accepting a role on The X Factor USA.

After the shocking axe of Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from the hit Fox talent series earlier this week, word is that boss Simon Cowell is on the lookout for a couple of big named stars to join his panel and help lift the ratings.

However, he can save himself some time if he was considering asking Madonna to sign up, as she has ruled out the possibility at the Super Bowl XLVI press conference, saying:

“I think I have enough jobs. But thank you for thinking of me, if you did Simon.”

The rumour mill has been going into overdrive since Nicole and Paula’s axe and stars reported to be in talks with Cowell include Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and even X Factor UK judge Tulisa Contostavlos.

We recently reported that Simon is so desperate to get a mega star for his series, that he has offered new mum Beyonce a whopping $500 million to take a seat next to himself and L.A. Reid.

Mariah Carey has also been linked to the show, though her husband Nick Cannon refuted the claims, saying that she is too big for the reality TV and insiders also claimed that The Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie is also a possible replacement.

View the original post Madonna won’t be replacing Paula Abdul on X Factor USA on Unreality TV

Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff has revealed that she turned down the chance to work with Madonna, because she wanted to dedicate all her time to working with Australian star Jason Donovan.

The blonde bombshell told The Sun that she was asked to help advise the Queen of pop in choosing some new backing dancers for a new project, but decided not to take the opportunity, as she doesn’t want to harm her and Jason’s chances of winning this year’s Strictly series.

Rihanoff and the Neighbours star certainly lit up the stage when they performed on last week’s episode of the BBC dance show, as they pulled off a passable paso doble, while dressed in traditional Spanish costumes.

Jason looked pretty darned hot as a matador and after their routine, even Len Goodman admitted that he had been distracted by his pert bottom in the tight trousers.

However, Alesha Dixon advised the pair that now they have the performance level and energy pegged, they need to work on Donovan’s technique and make him more precise for next week’s show.

Watch the video of their routine below.

View the original post Strictly Come Dancing 2011: Kristina Rihanoff turned down Madonna job to train with Jason Donovan on Unreality TV

Dancing On Ice star Vanilla Ice has admitted that he enjoyed dating Madonna when he was 24, but revealed the reasons behind the end of their relationship.

The American rapper enjoyed being the toyboy of the famous singer, who was 33 years old at the time, however he ended the romance after Madonna published her 1992 book Sex, featuring intimate images of her cavorting with him and other men.

He told the News of the World: “Going out with Madonna was exciting.

“She was older than me and a great lover. She’s still the oldest person I’ve ever been with, so it was an experience.”

He added: “But I broke up with her after she printed that book because I was hurt to be an unwitting part of this slutty package. It was disgusting and cheap. We were in a relationship yet it looked like she was screwing all these other people.

“I thought she was taking pictures and running round naked because she was like that. Then when the book came out I was so embarrassed and ashamed. It was a porno.

“She threw me in like I was a product off a shelf and I didn’t appreciate it. That was it and I ended it. She said she didn’t have sex with these men but it looked like she was.”

Vanilla aka Rob Van Winkle made his Dancing On Ice debut on Sunday night. Jason Gardiner has since admitted that he showed lots of promise and stands a good chance of making the final in March.

View the original post Dancing On Ice 2011: Vanilla Ice dumped Madonna after sex book on Unreality TV

Insiders have reported that Simon Cowell is trying convince Madonna, to perform on the first live X Factor shows next month.

The music mogul has been trying to land Madge since the show’s inception and 2010 may be the year he achieves his dream.

A source told the Daily Mirror that a verbal agreement had been reached with the ‘Like A Virgin’ singer, adding:

‘Madonna would be perfect to kick-off the last stage of the competition.’

Another insider previously told The Daily Star Sunday, that Cowell is also hoping to attract big named stars like Justin Bieber to the series. They said :

“Simon wants only the best and most current stars appearing on the show this year.

“As well as getting music legends like Elton John on board, he also wants to bring in Justin Bieber and Pixie Lott because he knows that’s who the younger viewers really want to see.”

View the original post X Factor 2010: Madonna to appear on 1st live show on Unreality TV

Sources have suggested that American Idol bosses are hoping to replace Simon Cowell on next year’s season, with pop superstar Madonna.

Simon Cowell will be leaving the show, so that he can concentrate on his new American X Factor series and Idol boss Simon Fuller is said to be desperate to land an equally big star to fill his seat.

A source told The Sun: “Simon is going to leave a gaping hole. Not only is he an expert, he’s also a big star in the States.

“Everyone agrees Madge would be great and they want her as a full-time judge. But if that fails they’d at least like her as a mentor.”

Chatting to Oprah Winfrey about who should replace him last week, Simon insisted that it should be someone that “actually knows what they’re talking about”.

“Everyone’s talking about casting a nasty person or getting another Brit,” he explained. “If we were judging the ice skating Olympics, you wouldn’t have somebody on who’s obnoxious, you’d have somebody who knows the difference between a ten, a nine and an eight. I think, to a point, you kind of have to go back to that.”

Does Madonna fit the bill then? We think she would be a great judge and she certainly has a lot of experience in the industry. However, with Idol being regarded as a bit of a sinking ship at the moment, will any big named star join the panel, when chances are it will be phased out if Cowell’s X Factor takes off?

View the original post Madonna to replace Simon Cowell on American Idol 2011? on Unreality TV

X Factor sources have revealed that Madonna was asked to perform on this year’s final, but refused to appear because she had no record to promote.

Bosses had hoped that Madonna would duet with Stacey Solomon on Saturday night’s show, but her snub left Stacey singing with Michael Buble instead.

A source told The Sun:

“We were told she wasn’t in promotion so it wasn’t going to happen.

“It’s a shame as she’d have been brilliant and given the show a real lift, especially with Stacey.”

View the original post X Factor: Madonna refused to perform with Stacey Solomon on Unreality TV

Pop superstars Beyonce and Madonna are rumoured to have signed up for this week’s X Factor final.

We have already revealed that Paul McCartney, Michael Buble, Robbie Williams and George Michael will be performing with the X Factor finalists next week, now we hear that these two superstars may be giving solo performances.

If this rumour is true, it will be a bit of a déjà vu, as Beyonce also performed on last year’s final. She sang a duet with Alexandra Burke, check out the video below. Madonna has never appeared on the show before.

View the original post Beyonce and Madonna for X Factor Final 2009? on Unreality TV

According to the paper, it was choreographer Brian Friedman who let those cats out of Simon’s bag when he told friends how excited he was that he’d be working with the stars.

It’s further rumoured that Shakira, Rihanna and Whitney Houston will also be making appearances this year.

It seems that Simon was keen to top last year’s all star line up of guests and a source close to X Factor told the paper that Brian, “is proud to be part of it and admires Simon’s ability to attract A-listers.”

View the original post All star X Factor guests may include Madonna on Unreality TV