Posted December 14, 200915 yr updated at 13:44 GMT, Monday, 14 December 2009 BBC News X Factor's Simon Cowell wants to run election debates http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8411387.stm X Factor judge Simon Cowell has said he wants to run a series of "prime time" TV debates on key political issues ahead of the next general election. The music impresario told the BBC he wanted to create a "bear pit" atmosphere, with a live studio audience and viewers voting via telephone. The debates could deal with subjects including capital punishment, the Afghan war and immigration, he added. Gordon Brown's spokesman said he welcomed attempts to promote democracy. He added that Mr Cowell and others would be encouraged to offer ideas. More than 10 million people voted for the Factor final on Sunday on ITV1, with more than 19 million watching the show. 'Could do it' Conservative leader David Cameron and Lib Dem counterpart Nick Clegg have said they are keen to take part in a US-style televised debate ahead of the next general election, which has to happen by 3 June next year. The prime minister has also said he is willing in principle to take part in televised leader debates, focusing on specific issues. However, Mr Cowell's proposal is less like a presidential-style forum and more like X Factor, won this year by Joe McElderry, a teenager from South Shields. He told BBC Two's Newsnight he wanted to put on a show where a large studio audience was divided up according to its view on an issue. There would, he said, be a red telephone to allow politicians to ring in to state their case. Asked whether capital punishment might be included as a subject, Mr Cowell said: "Well, we could do it. We could ask the question." Will Young, a winner of X Factor's predecessor Pop Idol, appeared on the BBC One political discussion show Question Time last year. Mr Brown faces Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg most Wednesday lunchtimes for prime minister's questions in the House of Commons. But Sir George Young, the shadow leader of the Commons, has recently suggested moving it to Thursday evenings, where it could compete with the likes of Eastenders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and The Bill. Watch Newsnight's interview with Simon Cowell on Newsnight on Monday 14 December 2009 at 2230GMT on BBC Two, then afterwards on the Newsnight website. Do you think this is a great idea or do you think this will do to Politics what Simon Cowell has done to music?
December 14, 200915 yr I find the whole prospect terrifying. The chances of Cowell coming up with a format that encourages intelligent debate are about as great as the chances of me having a number one single on Sunday.
December 14, 200915 yr Author I find the whole prospect terrifying. The chances of Cowell coming up with a format that encourages intelligent debate are about as great as the chances of me having a number one single on Sunday. So do I. I think it really highlights how downright dangerous the megalomaniac Simon Cowell is for the well being of the UK and society in general. Especially with his PR orchestrated by Max Clifford (latest I heard on Sunday he has been hired by Tiger Woods FFS). FFS The way things are going in 40 years time the Barry George's; Sally Clark'S; Foxy Knoxy's of the future will be judged by a four hour TV show with the public voting on their guilt or innocence. I tell you this my Hitler/Goebbels comparisons don't seem to be so strong now do they. As he has proven by the way he has blatantly manipulated X-Factor compared to the far more honest Pop Idol (where the acts drew lots to decide their own running order); then it is quite frightening thinking about what he could do in the world of politics.
December 14, 200915 yr I actually think its quite a good idea Much as I loathe everything Cowell stands for if him getting involved is going to encourage youngsters to get interested in and understand politics and political issues then that can only be a good thing, Cowell cock though he is is a massive teen role model The apathy about politics among younger people is not a good thing and it is widespread so Cowell bringing politics to the masses would be good I think
December 14, 200915 yr I actually think its quite a good idea Much as I loathe everything Cowell stands for if him getting involved is going to encourage youngsters to get interested in and understand politics and political issues then that can only be a good thing, Cowell cock though he is is a massive teen role model The apathy about politics among younger people is not a good thing and it is widespread so Cowell bringing politics to the masses would be good I think I agree that apathy among young people is a bad thing but do you really think Cowell is the right man to change that? Do you think homosexuality would have been decriminalised in 1969 if it had been decided by a popular vote after a debate orchestrated by the likes of him? Would race discrimination have been made illegal in the 1970s? The Sun is more than influential enough as it is. Give this egomaniac a chance and you might as well hand over all power to the editor of that squalid rag.
December 15, 200915 yr I tell you this my Hitler/Goebbels comparisons don't seem to be so strong now do they. As he has proven by the way he has blatantly manipulated X-Factor compared to the far more honest Pop Idol (where the acts drew lots to decide their own running order); then it is quite frightening thinking about what he could do in the world of politics. Precisely... Letting someone like Cowell run something like this really is like letting the lunatics run the asylum.... I can only hope that neither Brown nor Cameron take part anything involving Cowell... Oh, wait a minute.... The Tories and Labour used "humourous" Jedward posters recently didn't they...? We're fukked..... No, this country's fukked.... Never mind the Goebbels comparisons mate, I'm beginning to think that Cowell perhaps has ambitions to be the next Silvio Berlusconi.... Right, where can I find a really heavy statue to smash over Cowell's head.......? :rolleyes:
December 15, 200915 yr im glad you posted this richard, as i thought it would be an interesting topic of debate but recently my internet time has/is at a premium. personally, i think it might work, im not sure that cowell can ruin politics any more then what the bloody politicians have done themselves. yes hes 'ruined' music... but thats a creative art form, so im prepared to cautiously give him the green light on this... with little expectation and prepared to be wrong.
December 15, 200915 yr im glad you posted this richard, as i thought it would be an interesting topic of debate but recently my internet time has/is at a premium. personally, i think it might work, im not sure that cowell can ruin politics any more then what the bloody politicians have done themselves. yes hes 'ruined' music... And, well, that's all you need to say innit...? I refer you to a certain Senor Silvio Berlusconi and what his forays into politics has done to Italy..... And look at how he started out - Italian housewives stripping on TV, now look at where he is... Who knew, eh....? The same sort of Megalomaniacal streak is pretty evident in Cowell.... His Stalinesque domination of British popular music is evidence of this.... Cowell involved in politics?? NO FUKKIN' WAY!!!!! I re-iterate my plea for someone to let Mark Chapman out of prison for the day and tell him "Simon Cowell called your pint a poof" and give him a gun..... :rolleyes:
December 19, 200915 yr I think Simon cowell should be kept as far away from politics as possible. I have honestly had enough of this man and his smug face. I think we should all just give up now and let Simon cowell run the country as that is clearly what the majority of the public would like. As for max Clifford can someone please get rid of this cretin I loathe him more than cowell if that is possible.
December 21, 200915 yr http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/8288424.stm So apparently this is going ahead, but i'm not sure if it's with/without Simon? Edited December 21, 200915 yr by Kiseki
December 21, 200915 yr No, it's nothing to do with Cowell. Discussions about this have been going on since before the Ego tried to stick his oar in.
December 21, 200915 yr Well, if the X Factor demograph is to have a strong influence on the votes, one can only assume the vote will go to the best looking candidate - bollocks to their proposals and manifesto! And that means Gordon Brown is f***ed! Edited December 21, 200915 yr by ScottyEm
December 21, 200915 yr Author If you wanted proof that Simon Cowell is very bad for this country from a propaganda point of view: Did anyone watch the ITV's A Night of Heroes: Military Awards which is yet another show produced by SyCo television for ITV. Guess who the act was who sung at the end of the show ...... yes you've guessed it "average" Joe X-Factor winner covering the awful Disney Miley Cyrus blandfest "The Climb". Yet this is the same fukkin' spoilt egotistical hypocrite who cries foul about the BBC. Simon Cowell is a disgusting insert very rude word.
December 22, 200915 yr If you wanted proof that Simon Cowell is very bad for this country from a propaganda point of view: Did anyone watch the ITV's A Night of Heroes: Military Awards which is yet another show produced by SyCo television for ITV. Guess who the act was who sung at the end of the show ...... yes you've guessed it "average" Joe X-Factor winner covering the awful Disney Miley Cyrus blandfest "The Climb". Yet this is the same fukkin' spoilt egotistical hypocrite who cries foul about the BBC. Simon Cowell is a disgusting insert very rude word. you wouldnt get chided in here if you wrote c/unt...:lol: i know you wanted to keep up standards but its the word that imediately sprung to mind ...:lol:
December 22, 200915 yr Guess who the act was who sung at the end of the show ...... yes you've guessed it "average" Joe X-Factor winner covering the awful Disney Miley Cyrus blandfest "The Climb". Yet this is the same fukkin' spoilt egotistical hypocrite who cries foul about the BBC. Simon Cowell is a disgusting insert very rude word. C/UNT!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: And yet again, this vile prick insults the intelligence of this country by attempting to market his cr@p in a TOTALLY inappropriate and morally fukkin' OFFENSIVE way...... <_< <_< WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE, PLEASE SHOOT THE FUKKER?????
December 29, 200915 yr As long as Simon Cowell isn't involved I guess that's alright... but then part of the purpose of having the debate is to attract young people to understand more about politics. Apart from Cowell, who's the "right man" to do that?
December 29, 200915 yr As long as Simon Cowell isn't involved I guess that's alright... but then part of the purpose of having the debate is to attract young people to understand more about politics. Apart from Cowell, who's the "right man" to do that? I hope you're not suggesting Fearne and Reggie or Ant and Dec?
January 4, 201015 yr Author A reason to be grateful for being in Australia :lol: Definitely. :lol: :offtopic: Anyway I'm delighted to announce that Beatles fans on a popular Beatles site voted the winner of the annual question: "If Mark Chapman was let out of jail for a day to assassinate someone who would it be?" the winner this year was Simon Cowell. :rofl: I'm sure he would be thrilled joining a list over the last decade that contained: 2000 George W. Bush 2001 Osama Bin Laden (9/11 Terrorists) 2002 Osama Bin Laden (Al Qaeda) 2003 Michael Jackson 2004 Michael Jackson 2005 Heather Mills 2006 Heather Mills 2007 George W. Bush 2008 George W. Bush
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