Fox is apparently giving serious consideration to Simon Cowell's suggestion that Ryan Seacrest replace him on American Idol's judging panel.
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The idea of having the American Idol host pull double duty and also serve as a member of the show's tenth-season judging panel is "in play," E! News reported Tuesday.
"Anything is possible," an American Idol insider told E! News. "Stay tuned."
Cowell inked a deal with Fox on Monday 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.
He subsequently told Extra correspondent and ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour during a Monday interview that he feels Seacrest "actually would" have interest in replacing him on American Idol's judging panel.
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"I genuinely think that if he could get off that stage quick enough to go into the judge's chair, he would [host] and judge," Cowell told Seymour.
Cowell subsequently asked Seacrest how he felt when he officially received the news about his American Idol departure during a Tuesday appearance on his KIIS-FM radio show.
"When you actually heard was the first thing that went through your head was, 'How can this benefit me?'" asked Cowell.
"Yeah," replied Seacrest.
"What went through your mind at that point?" asked Cowell.
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"Think of the opportunity that's going to be left on Idol," Seacrest joked. "Like the trailer for example, I mean, who's going to occupy that great trailer?"
"And you know the rumor that's doing the rounds at the moment?" asked Cowell. "You're going to replace me."
"Oh, I heard this in the press," replied Seacrest. "That you suggested that I come over and sit at the table."
"Well, you just literally jump from the stage onto the judging chair. That way, you get an extra job," said Cowell, which brought a laugh from Seacrest. "I'm thinking of you, even in my darkest moments."
Fox has "remained mum" on Cowell's possibly replacement, according to E! News.
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"We'll come up with a new vision for the judging panel," Fox reality chief Mike Darnell told reporters at the Television Critics Association's press tour on Monday, Dailey Variety reported.
"You can't replace [Cowell], or people will smell that."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio