The Popularity of Reality TV with Simon Cowell - Essay Example

Simon Cowell - The globalization of ‘Idol’ and the journey it took to bring Reality television to TV stardom. Introduction The popularity of realityTV was fully brought to the limelight with the globalization of the fox TV networks mega-hit show “American Idol”. Despite the show attaining and maintaining this position in the global entertainment stage, few of its trackers really take time to find out how the show originated. Currently the reality TV show has millions of viewers worldwide who watch it from the comfort of their homes as they vote for their favorite contestants. Of course, most viewers not only tune to the program to watch their favorite contestant but also Simon Cowell the most famous reality TV judge. With Simon Cowell seated in the centre state from week to week and from season to season, the show has maintained the top position for eight consecutive seasons. With Cowell’s departure from the series, American idol still fares well in reality TV ratings. This factor is the main source of controversy concerning the contribution of Cowell to American idol and American idol to Cowells successes. With this in mind, it seems more profound to claim that American idol is responsible for the creation of Simon Cowell. However, it is a fact that American Idol did not require him to become the number one reality TV show in the globe. This essay investigates the controversy between Simon Cowell and American Idol in relation to their global stardom. Who made the American Idol? Simon Cowell is often confused with Simon Fuller the British reality TV producer and manger. It is unfortunate that people link or associate American Idol’s success with Conwell despite having played a minor role in the production of the show. Simon Fuller is the man behind the production and the globalization of the American Idol although he is not present in most scenes. On the other hand, Conwell was given the role of being a judge when the program came into air in the mid 2002. This indicates that the American Idol could have been in existence even without Cowell’s participation. Although Cowell contributed to the creation of the modern day American Idol, the program acquired public interests when it was still under its early stage of production. The pop Idol was the first version that Fuller established in 2001 before Simon Cowell’s version the X Factor came into the scene (Sweney web). The American Idol was established on the X factor, which was a refined version of the pop Idol. Although the American Idol became the most reality TV show, it had its foundation on the Pop Idol, which was Fuller’s creation. Before Simon Cowell became a judge on American Idol, Fuller had already acquired the credit of being the best reality TV show producer in the world. This indicates that Cowell worked on an established program to produce the American Idol and he was not involved in the initial work of creating the program. Reality TV shows such as American Idol and X Factor have grown to reach their status due to their interactive nature. Unlike other TV series, reality TV shows are the only programs that incorporate the views of the viewers (Rushfield 231). This involves direct votes through calls, text messages or internet that viewers make during every audition. Choosing the winner among the many contestants who compete for the top price is the main task in a reality TV shows. The role of determining the winner among the high number of contestants who present themselves at every audition is demanding task. As a judge, Simon Cowell is known for his excessive scrutiny and criticism of contestants. Although judges are important in American Idol, they play a minor role of confirming the results. This is because the viewers are the main players in the selection a winner an audition. This indicates that American Idol could have achieved its current success without the contributions of Simon Cowell. In addition, other judges such as Jenifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Ryan have immensely contributed to the show. This indicates the efforts of Simon Cowell as the most famous judge are insufficient to sustain the program. In fact, Randy Jackson is among the judges who were present during the first audition in 2002 at Fox. Viewers’ contributions are more important to the show than judge’s decisions or criticism during an audition (Lester 123). The viewers’ contributions are also used to settle any dispute among contestants. A good example of such settlement occurred when there was an allegation between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken during the eighth audition. In this case, the judges relied on the 24 million votes from the viewers to determine the winner. Out of the 24 million votes, Studdard emerged the winner with 134,000 votes. In such a case, judges were unable to identify the minor differences in the performances of the two contestants. This proves that efforts of judges such as Simon Cowell are insufficient to sustain American Idol in its status. The making of Simon Cowell Simon Cowell has plans to leave the American Idol upon the expiry of his contract, which expires at the end of the current season. The rise of American Idol to become the most cerebrated reality TV show has contributed to Cowell’s career. Currently Cowell looks forward to a brighter career path after his contract with the American Idol ends. Although Cowell is still serving as a judge in American Idol, he has already stuck a deal with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox TV show. The American Idol judge is also in the process of striking a second deal with his old TV show the X Factor. The two deals means a lot to Cowell’s career life. Although Cowell has had a successful career history, American Idol has contributed a lot to his currently success. American Idol pays him more than 36 million dollars per year making him the world highest paid reality TV judge. Cowell is likely to make more money from his current deals than what he is currently making as an American Idol judge. American Idol has therefore contributed to Cowell’s financial success. Being a key figure in the entertainment industry, Cowell requires more fame than he does require finances. America Idol not only earns fame to hundreds of contestants who compete in every audition, but to everyone who participate for show’s success. American Idol has helped to put Simon Cowell into the lime light more than any other show or record label that he has ever worked with. Due to his participation in American Idol, Cowell has achieved a series of success in all aspects of his career. His success in the American Idol has created success for his company SYCO. His involvement with the American Idol also got him a position as the executive producer in the TV series America’s Got Talent. In 2006, he signed another contract with FOX, which prevented him from being a judge in America’s got talent (New Statesman web). During the same period, Cowell was approached by MTV requiring him to be a judge in their reality TV show the MTV Base. This was followed by the signing of another deal in 2010 for both the X factor and Britain’s version of America’s Got Talent referred to as Britain’s Got Talent. Cowell begun his career in the entertainment industry in the 1980 s; however, there is huge variation in his career trends at different periods. None of the different eras in his career history was he active as when he worked for American Idol. This however does not imply that Cowell has not had a successful career life. Since Cowell started his career as an assistant producer at E& S music, he has climbed from one position to the next. However, his career in the industry took a very different approach when he started working for American Idol. The intensity of acquiring new opportunities or signing new deals intensified during this period. This proves that American Idol contributed to the creation of Cowell by giving him a chance of been seen by the world (New Statesman web). The show also provided him with an opportunity to acquire the necessary experience for a reality TV production. Conclusion American Idol has risen to become the world most popular reality TV show despite the existence of other rival shows such as the X factor, American Inventor, MTV Base, American’s Got Talent and Pop Idol. Simon Cowell has been a popular figure in American Idol since its creation in 2002. Although Cowell has become the most popular judge the TV series has ever had, his contributions to the show was not responsible for its current success. Simon Farwell is the man behind the creation of American Idol although people have often mistaken Cowell to be the creator of the series due to his dominance in all shows. Before Cowell became a judge on American Idol, the pop Idol had already acquired the position of best reality TV show in the world. Therefore, Cowell did not create a new series but he established American Idol on an already established show the pop Idol. Finally, Cowell has risen to his current position in the industry due to the influence of American Idol. The series has enabled him to gather enough finances and fame required to succeed in the highly competitive reality TV industry. Work Cited Sweney Michael. Simon Cowell quits American Idol to launch US version of The X Factor. 2010. Guardian. Web 17, April 2012. < http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jan/12/simon-cowell-american-Idol-x-factor> Lester, Michael. Visual Communication: images with Messages. London: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006. Print. New Statesman. 50 People Who Matter 2010 | 41. Simon Cowell. 2010. Newstatesman. Web 17, April 2012 Rushfield, Richard. American Idol: the untold story. New York: Hyperion books, 2011. Print. Read More