Vault: Let's talk about Simon Cowell

Summary

The Bert Show Podcast Summary

Episode: Vault: Let's Talk About Simon Cowell
Date: August 7, 2026
Hosts: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & guests)
Topic: Simon Cowell’s Career and Personal Life – Insights from a Recent Interview

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Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, in-depth discussion centered around Simon Cowell—his decision to leave American Idol, the factors motivating his exit, and his candidness about both career and personal challenges. The Bert Show hosts dig into a recent interview Cowell gave (notably with Oprah), sharing his own reflections on success, the demands of reality TV, relationships with colleagues (including Paula Abdul), and his personal life, from mood swings to fatherhood.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Simon Cowell’s Decision to Leave American Idol

• Polarizing and Authentic
  • The hosts describe Cowell as “so honest that you’re intrigued by everything he says, even with himself.” (01:30)
  • Simon cites his sense of the show reaching its natural endpoint and a desire to leave before “forced to go.”
    • Quote:

      “I've always promised myself that I'd leave before I was forced to go. It feels like the right thing to do.” – Simon Cowell (02:40)

• Why Walk Away from Success?
  • Hosts muse on how easy it would be for Cowell to “keep cashing the checks” but respect that “his heart’s not into it” and he’s "rich enough to take chances." (03:08)
  • The need for challenge and self-reinvention in a career is highlighted, with Cowell’s move framed as admirable.
  • On Staying Challenged:

    "At the end of the day, you have to challenge yourself or you get bored, and you might as well not be doing the work that you're doing." – Podcast Host 1 (03:19)

The Idol Team Dynamic & Paula Abdul’s Departure

• Cowell affirms Paula Abdul’s impact and her vitality as a former team member.
  • Quote:

    "She’s a survivor, Paula. She’s got great instincts...She’ll come back on top. I’m absolutely convinced of that." – Simon Cowell (04:12)

• The hosts speculate on Abdul’s next moves and joke she’ll be “on his show next.” (04:37)

Casting for Replacement & What Matters Most

• Cowell is clear that talent—not personality—should drive selection of judges.
  • Quote:

    “You've got to have somebody on that panel who actually knows what they're talking about, because everyone is talking about casting the nasty person or this person or get another Brit in...it's about who know how to pick talent.” – Simon Cowell (05:17)

  • On Judging:

    “If we were judging the ice skating Olympics…you wouldn’t have somebody on there who’s obnoxious. You’d have somebody who knows the difference between a 10, a 9 and an 8.” (05:24)

Cowell on Himself: Personality and Relationships

• He’s open about being difficult to live with, describing significant mood swings and an all-consuming work ethic.
  • Quote:

    "Your work can become like a girlfriend...that six hour period, my mind is completely on what I have to do...that happens five or six nights a week. And I think that's difficult for someone to deal with." – Simon Cowell (06:07)

• Jokes about not being able to stand himself as a partner:
  • Quote:

    "No, I couldn't. No, I couldn't. Because I think you couldn't deal with you if you were a partner." – Simon Cowell (06:56)

The Big Question: Parenthood

• Cowell expresses mixed feelings about having children due to his age and his intense routine.
  • Quote:

    "I worry about that because of my age...I worry that if I was 70, that worries me a little bit." – Simon Cowell (07:11)

  • He jokes he’d prefer if “they could be born at the age of five,” because he likes kids most at that age. (07:49)

Reflections from The Bert Show Crew

• Dialogue on the “50 is the new 40” debate, with hosts critiquing the phrase and discussing generational differences in aging and attitude.

  • Quote:

    "You are what you are. And 40, you only hear a 40 year old or someone in their 40s say, that's the new 30. And people in their 30s say, that's the new 20. And people in their 60s say that that's the new 50. No, it's not. You're still 60. It's not new." – Podcast Host 1 (09:01)

• The team commends the candidness of Cowell’s interview, with one host expressing renewed interest in reading Cowell’s book. (09:38)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Simon on leaving at the top:

  “I've always promised myself that I'd leave before I was forced to go.” (02:40)

• On the judging panel:

  “It's not about personalities, it's about who know how to pick talent.” (05:17)

• On living with himself:

  "No, I couldn't [be my own partner]." (06:53)

• On kids:

  "If they could be born at the age of five, maybe, maybe that will happen." (07:49)

• On age clichés:

  "You are what you are. And 40 is 40 is 40." (09:24)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:30: Introduction to the Simon Cowell segment—what makes him polarizing, and his impact on American Idol
• 02:05: Cowell on why he’s leaving American Idol
• 03:45: Discussion of Paula Abdul’s departure and effect on show ratings
• 04:43: Cowell’s remarks on casting judges based on talent, not notoriety
• 05:40: Simon’s self-reflection on being a controversial but competent judge
• 06:07: Personal insights—Cowell’s demanding work schedule and its impact on relationships
• 07:05: Candid discussion about having children at an older age
• 09:01: Host commentary on age clichés and generational perspectives
• 09:38: Reactions to Cowell’s interview and mention of his book

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Tone & Takeaways

The Bert Show’s discussion is engaging, witty, and open—mirroring both Cowell’s blunt style and their own authentic radio persona. The episode offers insight into the psychology of high-achieving media figures, the evolution of reality television, and the struggles of balancing professional ambition with personal fulfillment. For fans or the curious, it’s a brisk, revealing ride through the mind (and life) of Simon Cowell.

Transcript

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[Simon Cowell]

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[Podcast Host 1]

it's the virt show. All right, so let's talk about Simon Cowell here for a second. Because this dude, I'm telling you, one of the reasons why American Idol is gonna take such a hit is because he's so polarizing. You love him or you hate him, but he really is. He's an interesting dude. He's a very, very, very interesting guy. At the base of it all, he's so honest that you're intrigued by everything he says, even with himself. So he finds himself on Oprah the other day and he's just giving it up, right?

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 3]

This is yesterday. He was talking about his decision to leave American Idol.

[Podcast Host 4]

So tell me, everybody wants to know, why are you leaving?

[Simon Cowell]

Probably for the same reasons you left. You just know it's time, time, time's up. And I remember the first year when we did this and it was like an adventure. And I loved that. Not knowing if it was going to be successful and the buzz, we were kind of making it up every week. And I liked the kind of the adventure and it was fun. And then you get to a point and for whatever reason, two years ago, I remember sitting in the auditions one day. And I thought, I think this is about as far as we can go. And I've always promised myself that I'd leave before I was forced to go. It feels like the right thing to do.

[Podcast Host 3]

So he has taken off next season?

[Podcast Host 1]

Not completely. I respect him for that. I really do. If his heart's not into it, you're making all that money, I bet it would be real easy just to sell out and just say, look, I'll just. I'll phone it in. I mean, how hard is this? I'm making. What is he making, 20 million a year?

[Podcast Host 2]

Keep cashing the checks.

[Podcast Host 1]

Keep cashing the check. Go in there. But his heart's not into it. It's not driving him anymore. And he's rich enough now where he can take chances like this.

[Podcast Host 3]

And he's got another show to go to.

[Podcast Host 1]

He's got another show to go to.

[Podcast Host 3]

It's not like he's not going to

[Podcast Host 1]

be working that will challenge him, you know, I mean, I think at the end of the day, I mean, you have to challenge yourself or you get bored, and you might as well not be doing the work that you're doing.

[Podcast Host 3]

Mm, agreed.

[Podcast Host 1]

It's. It's very challenging for this show here. We've been doing this now for nine years, and there are some days we come in here and I just feel like it's a formula, and on those days, I'm bored. So it's very, very, very difficult to keep it challenging here. Simon is saying, that's it for me. It's not challenging anymore. It's time to move on.

[Podcast Host 3]

Well, he was also asked about Paula Abdul and her leaving. Did that affect the ratings?

[Podcast Host 4]

You know, there's all this talk about it slipping in the ratings. Do you think you're leaving has something to do with that, do you think? What do you think?

[Simon Cowell]

Well, I hope they'd go up, but look, I'd be lying if I said that I like numbers when they go down. I mean, even if you.

[Podcast Host 4]

Nobody does.

[Simon Cowell]

I just don't like it.

[Podcast Host 4]

Do you think Paula Abdul leaving had something to do with that?

[Simon Cowell]

Yeah, I do, actually. Yeah. Yeah. I think we had a great team. She had her own decision, her own reasons for doing what she did. And I've stayed in contact with her a lot. But Paula, I was saying this about her the other day. She's a survivor, Paula. She's got great instincts. So for whatever reason, she decided not to go back. She'll come back on top. I'm absolutely convinced of that.

[Podcast Host 3]

She'll come back on Top on my show.

[Podcast Host 2]

Right.

[Podcast Host 3]

Which is where we're gonna see her next. And then who's gonna replace Simon?

[Simon Cowell]

And then everyone starts getting a bit paranoid about who my replacement is, blah, blah, blah.

[Podcast Host 4]

Who do you think that.

[Simon Cowell]

Well, a couple of weeks ago, I remember we were arguing or whatever, kidding around on the panel, and there were only about five people left. And I remember suddenly thinking at that point, I think it's too much about the judges at the moment and we've forgotten what the contestants are going through. So to answer your question, I think primarily you've got to have somebody on that panel who actually knows what they're talking about, because everyone is talking about casting the nasty person or this person or get another Brit in.

[Podcast Host 4]

And it's not about personalities, it's about who know how to pick talent. That's what you're saying, 100% right? Yes, yes.

[Simon Cowell]

And, you know, if we were judging, you know, the ice skating Olympics, I mean, you wouldn't have somebody on there who's obnoxious. You'd have somebody who knows the difference between a 10, a 9 and an 8. And I think to a point you've kind of got to go back to that.

[Podcast Host 4]

And do you think that that's what you brought more so than anything?

[Simon Cowell]

Yeah. I mean, I had obviously a lot of controversy over the years because of just the way I am, but I'm kind of like that in real life. But within it all, I do trust my judgment as somebody who can spot a potential star.

[Podcast Host 3]

So after talking about Idol for a while, of course they've got to go into his personal life and his personal issues. He's now engaged to be married. He says he's really difficult to live with because he has major mood swings and he says he wouldn't want to be his girlfriend.

[Simon Cowell]

I think what can happen is, is that your work can become like a girlfriend. Because I think it's very difficult for anyone because, for instance, tonight I will start viewing tapes at say 10 o' clock at night. I'll then from half past 12:1 in the morning, start phoning London. And I'll have these conversations for maybe three, four and a half hours. So I'll finish at half past four in the morning, but that entire time, that six hour period, my mind is completely on what I have to do. And that happens five or six nights a week. And I think that's difficult for someone to deal with. Yeah, it would drive me mad.

[Podcast Host 4]

By the way, you couldn't be your own girlfriend?

[Simon Cowell]

Oh my God, no.

[Podcast Host 4]

Actually, no. I could, actually. How could you?

[Simon Cowell]

No, I couldn't. No, I couldn't. Because what I think you couldn't deal

[Podcast Host 4]

with you if you were a partner.

[Podcast Host 3]

With you?

[Podcast Host 4]

Never. Never, never.

[Podcast Host 3]

He is really honest about himself.

[Podcast Host 1]

You're right.

[Podcast Host 3]

And then what about children? Is he gonna have kids?

[Podcast Host 4]

Do you want kids?

[Simon Cowell]

Well, you know, one. I worry about that because of my age.

[Podcast Host 4]

You're 50.

[Simon Cowell]

Yeah, but I'd like, you know, when I was younger, you know, my dad used to play soccer and, you know, games with me. And I worry that if I was 70, that worries me a little bit.

[Podcast Host 4]

No, but you're strong, you're fit, you're healthy. 50 is the new 40. I mean, your 50 isn't what your dad's 50 was. We all know that.

[Podcast Host 2]

Talking him into it.

[Podcast Host 4]

That's true.

[Simon Cowell]

That's true.

[Podcast Host 4]

Do you have the patience, do you have the ability to sacrifice to be the kind of father that you would want to be? Do you have that?

[Simon Cowell]

If they could be born at the age of five, maybe, maybe that will happen. I'd quite like that because I like them at that age.

[Podcast Host 4]

You like them at five?

[Simon Cowell]

Yeah, I like them when they could talk and understand.

[Podcast Host 4]

Well, they start talking a little earlier than that.

[Podcast Host 3]

Yeah.

[Simon Cowell]

But they've got no idea what's going on. I'm not sure I could deal with the whole gaga goo goo, but I do like kids when I can talk to them. I mean, genuinely like them and then just drop them.

[Podcast Host 1]

I love that you love kids. Get them at 5. Get them at 5 years old where

[Simon Cowell]

they're just ready to go to school.

[Podcast Host 2]

Oprah is a much better interviewer. When you take her off her set, she doesn't scream and repeat.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Right?

[Podcast Host 3]

She repeats. She just doesn't scream it.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, but it's not like full sentence repeating. It's just select words which are like children. And did you hear her actually use his accent words too?

[Podcast Host 1]

One sidebar, a pet peeve of mine is when this age is the new. This age that drives me crazy. 50 is the new 40. I hear 40 year olds saying that. Cause you are what you are. And 40, you only hear a 40 year old or someone in their 40s say, that's the new 30. And people in their 30s say, that's the new 20. And people in their 60s say that that's the new 50. No, it's not. You're still 60. It's not new.

[Podcast Host 3]

I wouldn't agree with that. I would say that about like my parents. Like, I would say, like they're in their 60s, but I would say they act like they're 50. So I would say 60 is the new 50. The only thing that I agree with

[Podcast Host 1]

her, if you're 60, you would definitely say that.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 3]

The only thing I agree with her is that his father at 50 is certainly not the same as Simon at 50. I will agree that it, you know, aging is different, but, yeah, I never. I know I'm 40.

[Podcast Host 1]

40 is the new 40 for me. 40 is 40 is 40.

[Podcast Host 2]

40 is the new 68.

[McDonald's Announcer]

72, something like that.

[Podcast Host 1]

It was a. It's an interesting interview with Simon and he really gives great insight there.

[Podcast Host 3]

You know, I want to read his book now that Jeff was. Talk about that earlier.

[Podcast Host 2]

I'll bring it in or get it on your Kindle. But I have. I've actually read it a couple times.

[Simon Cowell]

It's a cool book.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. Here.

[McDonald's Announcer]

All new drinks are now at McDonald's with refreshers like the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher and the Mango Pineapple Refresher with popping Boba. To crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry flavors and cold foam. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire six. All new drinks are here now at McDonald's.

[Simon Cowell]

Refreshers contain caffeine.