Randy Jackson didn't know Simon Cowell was leaving 'American Idol'

Randy Jackson claims he had no knowledge of Simon Cowell's American Idol departure until after it was publicly announced.


"I didn't know," Jackson told The Los Angeles Times in an interview published Thursday.

"I got an announcement from the Television Critics Association. So I called him and was, like, 'Dude, you gotta tell your boy, come on!' He said it was so crazy that day."

Cowell inked a deal with Fox earlier this month that will end his American Idol judging role while also launching his British The X Factor reality competition series for the network in Fall 2011.

Jackson has previously stated he thinks Cowell might have "so much fun" with American Idol's currently-airing ninth season that he'll decide to come back, however he also acknowledges the opposite might happen.


"You know, there's a song by the Fray that I really love. It's called 'Never Say Never,'" he told The Times when asked if there was a chance he might reunite with Cowell on The X Factor once his own Idol contract expires.

In addition, Jackson said he's "really sad" Cowell won't be back since the American Idol landscape already changed when Paula Abdul -- who Cowell has already suggested may join him on The X Factor's still-announced judging panel -- announced her departure last summer.

"This is a journey that me, [host Ryan Seacrest], Paula and Simon started together and it's changing a bit," he told The Times.

Jackson added that it's good The X Factor will be on in the fall since he doesn't think there's enough room on television for two singing-themed reality competition series "happening at the same time."

"But I think there's definitely room for two to four music competition shows if they're done well and people have an emotional involvement in these contestants," he told The Times.






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio