Simon Fuller, the creator of ‘American Idol,’ is suing the Fox Broadcasting Co. and Fremantle North America Inc. for not receiving an executive producing credit for the upcoming American edition of ‘The X-Factor,’ The Los Angeles Times is reporting. Fuller filed the lawsuit in California Superior Court, saying he was promised the producing credit alongside former ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell, who’s set to star in the new reality singing competition.
Fuller previously was involved in legal battles with Cowell in 2004, when the producer claimed the former judge of his British reality competition ‘Pop Idol’ ripped the show off. Cowell launched ‘The X-Factor (UK)’ that fall, much to Fuller’s dismay.
The lawsuit against Cowell was eventually settled. Fuller claims one of the terms of the agreement was that if Cowell brought ‘The X-Factor’ to the United States, he would receive an executive producing credit. Fuller’s current lawsuit states “As often happens in Hollywood…binding promises made one day for expediency turn out to be cast aside when it comes time to perform.” The suit also claims that FOX and Fremantle have earned hundreds of millions of dollars due to Fuller’s creative efforts.
In response to the lawsuit, FOX and Fremantle released a statement, saying it’s without merit. The statement also claims that Fuller’s seeking “payment and credit as an executive producer despite his neither having been approved by the required parties, nor hired, as such.” Fuller’s spokesperson has said that he’s tried to settle the manner privately, but “the other parties have refused to honor the original contract leaving him no other choice but to pursue legal action.”
Written by: Karen Benardello
Simon Fuller
