'X Factor' USA's Simon Cowell: 'The Voice knows that it stole from me'
Published Jun 29 2012, 21:34 BST | By Kristina Bustos
Simon Cowell has taken a dig at The Voice.Cowell, who was a former judge on American Idol and now helms The X Factor USA, faces rivalry from The Voice, another singing competition reality show.
© WENN / Arnold Wells
© NBC Universal
When asked whether he is looking to change the structure of The X Factor USA's second season, he told reporters in Canada: "I am. I'm not going to say what it is, because as you know we are going to be competing with The Voice.
"No question of doubt, I've already seen from last year to this year elements of what we were doing on these shows. Producers do that. They see something they like, and they'll nick it and you end up with both shows looking the same."
When asked what he thought The Voice "nicked" from him, Cowell added: "I don't even want to mention it. They know. Anyone who watches both shows, you'll see where they started and where they got to and what changes. I have seen it on other shows, as well.
"Like I said, it's the nature of TV producers, they will do it. We have been working on some ideas for a year, some may work, some won't, but I am trying to make it different for the right reasons."
© Fox / Ray Mickshaw
However, Cowell did credit The Voice for its idea of the spinning chairs, on which the celebrity coaches sit during the show.
He added: "I'm going to suggest a little addition, not only does it spin, it ejects people, all the way through the ceiling!"
Cowell previously said that The Voice UK and The X Factor are the "same show", and suggested The Voice should be on the radio.
Cowell will premiere the second season of X Factor USA later this year with new judges and new hosts.
Watch a promo for The X Factor USA season two below:
Ultimately talent is what will win the overall ratings battle and unfortunately for Simon his show's level will be far inferior to The Voice US this season.
July 3rd 2012 at 9:13pm
OK, lets get this right.... The Voice originated in Holland and not the US. Fortunately it is a hit in both Holland and the US, but that does not mean to say it will be a big hit everywhere. DOND was never as a big hit in the US as it was in Holland and UK (in fact in Holland it was actually part of another gameshow which then spawned DOND as a separate show - same with 1v100). The reason The Voice wasn't such a hit in the Uk because it was on BBC - it was designed to be on a money-making commercial channel with sponsors and other add-ons. As we all know The X-Factor was a rip-off show from Pop Idol, and rightly so Simon Fuller did take Simon Cowell to court, so its no surprise that Cowell is making a fuss about The Voice. Just wait until The Winner Is... hits UK screens (already a big hit in its originate country - Holland). That is one thing Dutch TV is good at - Reality TV - from Big Brother to The Winner Is...
July 2nd 2012 at 10:58am
Yes Simon because you haven't stolen ideas from other shows **cough cough** Pop idol, gong show, Master-chef, Britain's best dish, how do you solve a problem like Maria?, deal or no deal, heads or tails **cough cough**.
July 1st 2012 at 2:08pm(+2 likes)
Well seeing as the little wire haired loudmouth stole Britains dignity it only seems fair!
July 1st 2012 at 10:23am
Sick of cowell and his "any publicity is good publicity"attitude his programmes are noise and visual pollution,not to mention the made up scandals,the man is pathetic,and for every person that likes the botox ones phoney talent shows they're are 2 that loathe them.
July 1st 2012 at 12:13am