AMERICAN IDOL - COWELL EARNS $76 MILLION YEARLY AS TALENT JUDGE

Former American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has confirmed that Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson have expressed jealousy over the payments fellow judge Simon Cowell receives for his appearances on the talent show. In an interview with the New York Post , he confirmed that Cowell receives $36 million a year and negotiates a new figure before each season. "Why is he getting more than the other two judges? Because it is believed that he brings more to the table," Lythgoe said, adding that Cowell is worth what he is being paid and has always "handled his negotiations quite brilliantly." The London Sunday Times , reported meanwhile that Cowell receives an additional $40 million a year for his appearances on the British version of Idol and The X Factor .

13/10/2008