Simon Cowell planning 1million pounds-prize show in UK

Simon Cowell is reportedly planning the "biggest, noisiest and most expensive" television show in UK history with a jackpot price of 1million pounds.

And his �Red And Black� show, which will be screened live by ITV1 later this year, will be so big that it will be held in a giant 17,000-seater arena.

Thousands of hopefuls will pack into Wembley Arena or London�s O2, competing for the chance to win a one million pounds jackpot on the spin of a roulette wheel.

Red And Black has been created by Simon�s Syco company, along with ITV and will be fronted by Ant and Dec, both 35.

Sources claim the show would start out with hundreds of thousands of entrants being whittled down to around 17,000 who will then be given tickets to the show at the massive arena venue.

Each evening during the course of a week of live broadcasting in September, the hopefuls will be cut down, until just one person is left with the chance of spinning for the jackpot.

�Simon is very excited about this programme. It will be easily the biggest show ever seen on British television,� the Daily Star quoted an insider as saying.

�He has been working on the concept for some time and at last everything has fallen into place and the show is good to go. It is massive in the number of contests and also the huge prize on offer on the spin of a roulette wheel � a 1m pounds fortune resting on whether someone chooses either red or black. Details are still being worked out on how people will be chosen for the arena section, but it is likely to involve some form of competition.

�We�ve never seen anything like Red And Black in the UK before. It is going to be big, noisy and expensive, a real telly event.

�It is not only a massive gamble for the contestant, but also for Simon and ITV, but they are confident it will be a big hit,� the insider added.

Simon Cowell Pops the Question

Rumors have been swirling for some time that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is engaged to his girlfriend of about a year, Mezhgan Hussainy. Cowell himself has denied said rumors, but Hussainy recently spilled the beans that Cowell did, in fact, propose and that the two are now officially engaged.

The pair met several years ago while they were both working on "Idol" - she as the head make-up artist, and he as a judge. They became a couple after Cowell's previous relationship ended. The two are already living together, and Hussainy has hinted that the wedding will take place soon - probably within the year.

Drama Between "Idol" Judges Already?

It seems there is already drama stirring up on the set of "American Idol" between Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres. Simon arrived more than 90 minutes late to the first taping of the show, causing Ellen and the other judges to waste their time waiting for the veteran judge.

According to the Sun Times, Ellen was especially irritated due to her very tight schedule. She has already moved had to change her schedule to accommodate “American Idol”, including moving up the taping of her own talk show. With Simon leaving at the end of the season, “Idol” isn’t worried about leaking his bad habits anymore. A source told Pop Eater, "You should expect many more nasty leaks about Simon. The show no longer feels the need to protect him. Simon has been late for years and is baffled that all of a sudden, after he announces he is leaving the show, leaks to the press have started to occur."

Possible replacements for Simon are also beginning to surface. The Sun Times reported that the “Idol” producers want the new judge to have major music industry credibility. Replacements could include Tommy Mottola, Guy Oseary (Madonna’s business partner), and Jimmy Lovine.

Simon Cowell Has a Nice Side

American Idol and X Factor judge Simon Cowell was determined to buy the perfect birthday present for Alexandra Burke - who found fame after winning the UK TV talent show X Factor last year - and knew she had her eyes on a padded black Chanel handbag.

Even though the pricey accessory has a year-long waiting list, Simon managed to charm his way to the top.

Alexandra, who turned 21 on Tuesday, was speechless when Simon presented her with the gift.

"Alex was in tears," a source said. "Simon called in a few favors to make her day extra special. Things just couldn't be better for her."

The other X Factor judges - Cheryl Cole, who was Alexandra's mentor on the show, and Dannii Minogue - also splashed out on lavish gifts for the singer.

Cheryl treated her to a vacation at the Constance Lemuria resort in the Seychelles, while Dannii gave her a gray Tabitha bag.

Alexandra had a number one Christmas hit on the UK singles chart after appearing on the show, with her cover of 'Hallelujah'.

Her new single 'Bad Boys', which features rapper Flo Rida, will be out on October 12.

Paula Abdul To Get Her Own Show?

Inside one day - inside hours of Paula Abdul's announcement that she's through on American Idol, giving up what seemed a big pay day and in spite of not earning as much as Simon or Ryan ...her knight in shining armor has arrived in the form of NBC. And if NBC doesn't work out, she has CBS in the wings.

According to Paul Telegdy NBC is interested in Paula and Telegdy is "absolutely" interested showcasing Paula in the NBC lineup. In a quote to the post, "Is it something I have given thought to? Yeah. I think she is a huge talent. America has huge affection for her. I don't have specifics about shows or show ideas."

Telegdy also revealed that he had talked to Paula Abdul prior to her quitting Idol stating she pitched shows "in her wheelhouse," i.e. dancing competitions.

So did Paula have this all planned out in advance? She did walk away from a salary that could drown a horse but in the face of Ryan Seacrest's and Simon Cowells greater income levels, she felt slighted and more deserving of a lesser pay. If she does score a show on NBC, will she reveal her new salary for Seacrest and Cowell to take notice of?

Whatever it is, it better work. Outside of American Idol Paula has come up empty. Her attempt to restart her music career flopped, her 2007 reality show on Bravo was an embarrassment, even her jewelry on Home Shopping Network failed to break out.
Meanwhile the National Enquirer has reported that Abdul has been in secret negotiations for her own talk show with CBS. Quoting an Enquirer source, "Paula's been dreaming about having her own talk show for three years, and she's ready to make it a reality."

If you think about it, day time talk is where Paula may land and should land. Her honest straight talk, and unpredictable nature would be a ratings winner for any broadcaster.

Paula Wants 20 Million - Does Idol Want Paula?

It's not even been two days since Paula Abdul's new agent (David Sonenberg) proclaimed Paula was offended by not being offered a new contract with the next season of Idol just around the bend.

What does he do? Asks for 20 million on behalf of Paula. It's a brazen and brave move to assume the position of power but is it really just bravado?

Sources close to Radar Online report that Idol producers have in fact offered Paula closer to half of what her agents demands. If this is true, then Sonenberg is really just after media attention and trying to drum up sympathy.

The only question there is now is this; do the producers of Idol want Paula back? If not, she's going to have mud on her face (and worse no job) thanks to her new agent. If Idol does want her back, it's just a question of what is she really worth to the show? Perhaps she should stop thinking about Seacreast's payday and concentrate on her own. Someone needs to remind her that we are indeed in a recession and I'd gladly take 10 million for sitting on a panel and judging wanna be pop stars.