The Last Schmaltz?

Though it's well-known that Simon Cowell's contract with Fox expires in May 2010 after the ninth season of American Idol, the stalwart snarker is set to announce a new deal regarding his future with the show -- and alleged plans for the American spinoff of his British hit X Factor. X Factor is ostensibly Idol, but with more contestant ballyhooing from the judges. The best possible scenario: Simon Cowell announces that Idol will go on, just under the name X Factor, and voters can elect to eliminate Kara DioGuardi or Randy Jackson and replace them with a free-flying Union Jack at any moment. [NY Post]