Archive for the ‘Simon Cowell’ Category

Newkey-Burden v Dawkins!

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 13 May 2010

As regular readers will know, WHSmiths has been doing a lot of promotion for the paperback edition of my Simon Cowell biography. It’s all translating into very healthy sales. The book is currently number two in their paperback non-fiction chart. It’s behind Richard Dawkins. I’ve never been a fan of Dawkins so it would be nice to knock him off the top spot.

Overall, my book had a 346% week-on-week sales surge last week and is now second in the industry’s national ‘accelerator’ chart. Thanks very much to everyone who has bought it. If you are thinking of doing so, please feel free to do it via WH Smiths so I can zoom in on top spot!

Posted in: Books, Simon Cowell6 comments

Poster goy

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 11 May 2010

I was pleasantly surprised to see my Simon Cowell book promoted in the window of WH Smiths. My parents were very pleased and they turned up to take a photograph of me.

Posted in: Books, Simon Cowell5 comments

The kids are all right?

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 18 April 2010

I’m mentioned on page nine of today’s Independent On Sunday in a news story about Simon Cowell. It relates to a radio interview Cowell gave in America in 2004 which I dug up while researching my biography of him. In it he spoke out firmly against allowing children to enter television talent shows, saying he feared it could do them “serious damage” and even leave them as messed up as Michael Jackson.

Since then he has routinely allowed children to enter Britain’s Got Talent and has also auditioned 14-year-olds on The X Factor. Indeed, he even auditions a four-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator on the new series of Britain’s Got Talent. Cynics would say it is no coincidence that his change of heart came about when he moved from the Idol franchise (in which he was a hired judge) to the Talent and X Factor franchises in which he has a higher financial stake. I personally think he just changed his mind and that there’s nothing wrong with that. Given how opinionated and outspoken Cowell is he has been remarkably consistent in the main.

All the same, his quotes from 2004 make for interesting reading. The US Fox Network had just made a spin-off of American Idol called American Juniors, which featured child contestants. The programme-makers offered Cowell a lucrative package to sign as an executive producer but he turned it down because of his concerns about putting kids under the spotlight, as he explained to American radio interviewer Terry Gross.

Asked about the morals of putting children on a television talent show, Cowell said: “I have a problem with that, I really do. I even have a problem with people entering at 16. They’re just not ready for it. I go into [American Idol] as a grown-up and I like to treat people like grown-ups. I find it very difficult sometimes saying to a 16 year old what I really think because they’re just not mature enough to deal with it. I don’t think it benefits anybody: me, them, the audience at home.

“They’re just too young. They’ve got to be of an age to deal with this, I think. Look at Michael Jackson – take somebody in at an early age and see what happens. You lose your growing-up period. This is what happens when you go into the music industry at such an early age.

“You say that to an 11 year old and they’re never going to listen to you because they want to be rich and famous. But when you deprive someone of that age of their normal growing up you really can do them serious damage in my opinion.”

Asked what he thought of the entertainment quality of American Juniors, he replied: “Dreadful, absolutely dreadful. What’s the point? No one at the age of 11 can really sing, there’s nothing you can say to them because you can’t criticise a 10 year old. The whole thing was just ghastly. I didn’t want anything to do with it.”

My bestselling biography of Simon Cowell is now out in paperback. I am currently putting the finishing touches to this book.

Posted in: Books, Celebrity, Simon Cowell0 comments

Here comes the vain again…

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 7 March 2010

Regular readers will remember with a wince the silly outbursts that singer Annie Lennox made during Operation Cast Lead. Lennox slammed Israel, totally ignored the Hamas rockets and complained that the television news reports of the operation ruined her Christmas ‘as a mother’. Well, exactly. It’s all about you isn’t it Annie? She didn’t leave it there, either. She also promoted and attended an anti-Israel demonstration that was co-organised by the British Muslim Initiative, whose President was quoted on Al Jazeera television as saying he hates “the evil Jew”. Nice.

Lennox was roundly mocked for the naivety of her remarks and has unsurprisingly proved reticent to comment on the issue ever since. However, this coming week she will appear on the BBC’s Hard Talk programme where she will tell viewers that she has changed her mind and has now decided ‘both sides are right and both sides are wrong’. Gee, thanks for that Annie.

I will close with a tale from a showbiz gathering of celebrities like Simon Cowell and leading journalists like Rebekah Wade and Piers Morgan. Cowell mischievously proposed that they compile a top 10 of showbiz divas. At number six was Annie Lennox. Her (unnamed) nominator explained: ‘She was breathtakingly grand and offensive to me. I was shocked. But then other big stars told me she’s always like that.’

Posted in: Israel, Simon Cowell21 comments

You’ve gotta laugh

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 4 February 2010

I’ve been updating my bestselling biography of Simon Cowell for a new paperback edition. I’m delighted by the book trade’s huge interest in the new edition which will be out in the spring.

Good old Cowell. Check this out from this week’s American Idol…

Posted in: Books, Simon Cowell4 comments

My latest Jewish News column

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 9 December 2009

As some of you already know, I now have a fortnightly column in Jewish News. Here is the latest…

It’s that time of year again: X Factor Final week. Seven sensational days when we can forget about the real world and focus our attention on the excitement of the build-up, working ourselves into a sleepless lather of anticipation. A seven-day orgy of clock-watching as we dry-retchingly countdown to the big night. Or is that just me?

I’ll nail my colours to the mast – my favourite contestant is Stacey Solomon. She’s got a cracking voice, a wonderful personality, she looks great and ticks my philosemite box. I also love the fact that she’s so obviously a very clever girl, however hard she pretends not to be. I adored her from the start – the fact she took her fellow contestants to my favourite north London restaurant (White House Express) just crowned the appeal. I dream of eating there with her myself one day. I would sit in shawarma-shovelling enraptured silence as Stacey chattered away at me, like only she knows how.

The X Factor has been especially exciting for me this year, because I am the author of a recently published biography of Simon Cowell and therefore regularly called on for my X-Factor thoughts by the media. A question I’m often asked is who could replace Cowell when he eventually retires as a judge. It would be a big ask of anyone: of all those who have tried to live up to his Mr Nasty benchmark perhaps the closest to get there was his Got-Talent sidekick Piers Morgan. But let’s be honest, Morgan could never really be another Cowell.

I think I know who could, though. The person best suited to the role would need to be slick, deadpan and dynamic on television, and also brimming with charisma, self confidence and glorious arrogance. There’s only one man for the job then: the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. Can’t you just see it? Anyone who has watched Bibi make mincemeat of mealy-mouthed BBC and ITN interviewers knows that the man can be compellingly deadly on the small screen. I might be a tad biased – to say I am a fan of Bibi is an understatement – but I think in him we have our man to replace Cowell.

While we’re about it we might as well give the whole panel a political sweep, starting with Dannii Minogue (who I hear is something of a philosemite herself enjoying Shabbat dinners with her Jewish pals). Replacing her would be American politician Sarah Palin and in place of Cheryl Cole I really can’t see beyond Israel’s Tzipi Livni. This brings us to the question of who will be the next Louis Walsh. That’s not a job title I can see people fighting in the streets for, but what’s Neil Kinnock up to at the moment? To be the next Louis, all the ginger Welshman would need to do is learn how to play to regional constituencies of acts and insert dramatic pauses for emphasis. Thus: “Joe what can I say? I hope everyone in Newcastle picks up the phone and votes for you because I. Want. You. In. Da Foinal.”

And here we are, within touching distance of ‘da foinal’. To be honest, Joe really would be a fine winner. He sings very well and even as a gentile male I find it hard not to come over all Yiddishe Mumma when I watch him listening so sweetly and politely to the judge’s verdicts. But adorable and talented as Joe and his toothy smile can be, he is no Stacey Solomon. Few are, she is one in a million that girl. Here’s to you Stacey, you heron-like wonder. What can I say? I hope everyone in Britain picks up the phone and votes for you because I want you to win the final.

Simon Cowell: The Unauthorized Biography by Chas Newkey-Burden is out now. (£18.99, Michael O’Mara.)

If you are not in the newspaper’s catchment area you can read it in full online here.

Posted in: Jewish News column, Simon Cowell0 comments

Simon Cowell and politics

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 29 November 2009

Digital Spy has an interesting story about Simon Cowell’s political ambitions:

‘Simon Cowell would reportedly like to stage a political showdown in the style of The X Factor during the run-up to the next general election.

‘The media mogul said that a debate between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron could be injected with a bit of “fun” with music and “loads of spotlights”.

‘Cowell told GQ that he would be up for the challenge. He said: “Like the presidential debates in America. I’d like to produce that here. I would! Just for the hell of it! Make it a bit more fun.”‘

I hate to say I told you so!

Posted in: Simon Cowell3 comments

But if he could crown the Prime Minister…

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 24 November 2009

I’ve been interviewed by the excellent Digital Spy about my Simon Cowell biography. From dry-retching to political king-making and prostitutes’ calling-cards it’s all here.

Posted in: Simon Cowell1 comments

Loving Leona

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 16 November 2009

I’ve been listening to Leona Lewis’s brand new album Echo today – it’s breathtakingly brilliant. It’s got a more upbeat, contemporary sound than her debut but there are some of her signature ballads too. Her version of Oasis’s Stop Crying Your Heart Out is up there with her unbeatable cover of Run. Bless you Leona, long may your sounds echo.

Her album comes hot on the heels of the recent debut albums by Cheryl Cole and Alexandra Burke. The success of all three of these albums reflect how brilliant they are. Respect to Simon Cowell and his genre which gives these national treasures a break, where others would slam the door in their faces.

It’s amazing just how wrong miserable old snobs like Sting are, isn’t it?

Posted in: Reality TV, Simon Cowell1 comments

Big time!

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 13 November 2009

My biography of Simon Cowell has had a great run of publicity in the media these last few months. It’s had positive reviews in the likes of the News of The World; been discussed on countless radio shows; had news-story plugs in Woman’s Own and the Daily Star and even been featured on The One Show.

But I’ve just received word that we’ve got the big one. Guess where it’s going to be featured next? Only Extreme Fishing with Robson Green!

Posted in: Books, Simon Cowell5 comments

I do like Mondays…

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 2 November 2009

How to have a happy Monday:

1) Have a successful meeting at Penguin.

2) Go and watch Saw VI.

3) See your own book given a juicy close up on The One Show on BBC 1. (5mins 4seconds in on iPlayer.)

simoncowell

Posted in: Books, Simon Cowell1 comments

The joy (and creeps) of The X Factor

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 1 November 2009

I was at a gig in London last night (Fightstar, fact fans – they were amazingly good) so I have yet to watch last night’s X Factor. I have it on Sky+ and I plan to start watching it early this evening so it flows seamlessly into the tonight’s live results show. Lots of clock-watching going on as a result.

I’m so excited. This year’s X Factor has been amazing, up there with my other favourite reality show installments: Pop Idol series 1, Big Brother series 3, Any Dream Will Do and X Factor series 1. The changes Simon Cowell made to the format were controversial at first but are working beautifully, and this year’s finals feature the most interesting, talented bunch of contestants ever. There is no three-act configuration for the final that would not be engrossing.

The only thing I’ve not enjoyed is the growing volume (thanks mainly to rise of Twitter) of the X Factor creeps (XFCs). These are the people who profess to dislike the show but tune-in every weekend regardless. As if this wasn’t strange enough, they then delude themselves that we’re just dying for them to come and tell us how stupid they think the programme is. Every Saturday and Sunday night Twitter and Facebook feeds quickly clog up with comments about how the contestants are all dumb, the whole thing is fixed, Cheryl’s a chav, the judges only pretend to bicker, oh the whole thing is so stupid, yadda yadda yadda…

I get that The X Factor isn’t to everyone’s taste. But if XFCs hate it so much then why do they keep tuning in just to sneer at it? Have they really nothing better to do? I don’t like rugby, so I don’t watch it. I’ve never found equations like that particularly challenging to get my head round. XFCs, though, tune in to the live shows every week without fail and then rush to the internet to tell us how stupid they found the whole thing.

If you hate The X Factor then please just don’t watch it. Or if you’ve really nothing better to do each weekend than watch television shows that you hate then at least spare us your snobby commentary. It doesn’t make you sound clever, it makes you sound lonely and creepy. Listening to it is akin to tucking in to the most beautiful tub of ice cream while someone sits next to you reading out the ingredients in condescending monotone. Yes, I know lots of chemicals go into making ice cream (my favourite X Factor accompaniment, fact fans – Chocolate Macadamia please) but I’d quite like to just enjoy eating it all the same, please.

And yes I know there’s a whole lot more than meets the eye to shows like the X Factor, but just for a few hours each weekend I really love switching off from all the cynicism of the world and enjoying a bit of innocent, bubbly entertainment. If XFCs really are that offended by all the fun, ambition, pop gold, dreams, tears and laughter of The X Factor then I suggest they lighten-up or button up. Or switch over – I’m sure there’s some documentary about a clever but depressed Guatemalan poet or something to watch.

In happier news, despite there being so many likeable and talented acts this year, I’ve had a stand out favourite since the opening audition phase who seems to be going strong. It’s not going to be a huge surprise to you who I am referring to.

Can you guess who it is yet?

Posted in: Reality TV, Simon Cowell6 comments

He can push so many different buttons…

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 26 October 2009

I’m quoted in the Daily Star today about Simon Cowell. Or should I say Lord Cowell?

Simon Cowell is being courted for a move into politics by Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Both believe The X Factor supremo would make British politics more popular with young voters in the wake of the expenses scandal. And the reward could be a peerage as Simon, 50, becomes Lord Cowell.

Chas Newkey-Burden, author of Simon Cowell: The Unauthorised Biography, said last night: “Simon Cowell is a rare combination. He’s incredibly rich and comes from a posh background but has the common touch.

“He can push so many different buttons and this makes him a red hot prospect for politicians.They would run over each other to get to his side. The public is so cheesed off with politics at the moment and an endorsement from him could just swing it for one of the parties.”

The rest of the story is here.

Posted in: Simon Cowell1 comments

Will they, won’t they?

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 9 October 2009

It’s a big weekend for three of the people I’ve written biographies of, with questions hanging over each.

Simon Cowell has flu! Will he or won’t he be well enough appear on the first live show of this year’s X Factor?
(He will.)

Amy Winehouse might be back in rehab! Will she fulfil her booking to appear as a backing singer on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday?
(Bookies give 6/4 that she won’t. But she will.)

Alexandra Burke is to sing Bad Boys on the Sunday night X Factor results show! How will she do?
(She’ll blow the blimming roof off.)

PS – I did my slot on BBC Radio London this morning. If you’re interested it is on Listen Again here. I am 1.32 in.

PPS – You can also check me out on Monday’s BBC Berkshire breakfast show talking about the Danni/Danyl controversy here, around 2.09 in.

Posted in: Amy Winehouse, Reality TV, Simon Cowell3 comments

This week’s competition: Winehouse v The Cowell!

By: Chas Newkey-Burden   On: 14 September 2009

The prize in this week’s competition is a signed copy of one of my recent biographies – and you get to decide which you win.

awbIncluding original interviews, my bestselling Amy Winehouse biography is now in updated paperback which brings the story right up to date, including her dramatic life-saving heroism in St Lucia. Look magazine called it: “A great read – four out of five.” The Jewish Chronicle said: “Until she puts pen to paper herself, this is as good as we’re going to get.” The book has been translated into seven languages.

cowellb Simon Cowell: The Unauthorised Biography also got a four-star rating from the News Of The World, which praised its “entertaining new insight”. It includes many original interviews with those who know and have worked with Cowell, including numerous finalists from Pop Idol, American Idol and The X Factor. It was published a few weeks ago and is already performing well in the WH Smiths chart. You can read the prologue to the book here.

To enter the competition leave a ‘pick me’ comment below, saying which of the two books you want to win. I will choose the winner on Friday. (The competition is open to all, I will post to anywhere in the world.)

Posted in: Amy Winehouse, Books, Simon Cowell20 comments

© Copyright Chas Newkey-Burden. All Rights Reserved. Thanks to Chris Morris.