Ryan Seacrest: Simon Cowell Was Jealous Of Me

'American Idol': new judges, same old rivalries.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in their new issue, 'Idol' host Ryan Seacrest called out ex-judge Simon Cowell, saying he was, "just so jealous of me... from Day One, he was envious of my career at such a young age."

That quote from the magazine appeared in the NY Post, not EW's website's brief writeup of the story.

Cowell, the prickly British judge who shot to prominence with his harsh criticism of contestants, left after last season to helm upcoming talent show 'The X Factor.'

During last season's finale, Seacrest was singing a different tune -- on air, at least. "We really are going to miss you. You are a dear friend and we wouldn't be here without you," he told Cowell.

In January, Seacrest had Cowell on his radio show, and expressed similarly positive sentiment.

"I know this won't sound sincere, but I'm very happy that you're happy," he told the then-judge. I'm wishing you very, very good ratings, but I'm wishing us better ratings. Look, no one wants to see anyone fail after we've been through this much."

In fact, in 2009, Seacrest and Cowell even hit up a strip club together.

Randy Jackson, the lone remaining of the original judges, was more diplomatic. "Look, it's definitely been interesting," he told the magazine. "We definitely miss [Simon], but it's a different kind of vibe. It's a different kind of energy now."

For more, click over to Entertainment Weekly.

Comments

[CamBrown99]

01:25 AM on 01/21/2011

When is Seacrest actually going to be 'out'?

[Dionita]

11:37 AM on 01/07/2011

That’s too funny.

[RageCage]

10:47 AM on 01/07/2011

"Ryan Seacrest: Simon Cowell Was Jealous Of Me"

I'd be jealous, too, Ryan. You don't do anything! You've somehow made a successful career out of doing nothing except for saying, "Seacrest, out." From a talent standpoint you make Carson Daly looking Johnny Carson.

[Samirah1368]

10:31 AM on 01/07/2011

I hate it when people say someone is jealous of them...sounds so shallow and self important and always make me think it is the other way around...I dislike this guy so much

[Debbi Mihelic]

09:06 AM on 02/12/2011

REALLY agree with your statement...I don't like him at all.

[hrc04]

10:00 AM on 01/07/2011

Would it kill them to provide some context? Reading the quote in full, it seems to me that he was joking.

[clabberty]

09:54 AM on 01/07/2011

Dorks, the pair of you. Let's see the slap fight on you tube. You'd both be screaming like two year old babies.

[catcancook]

09:45 AM on 01/07/2011

I question the intelligence of whomever hired Ryan to do anything in show biz in the first place. I have only seen part of AI one time and I had to mute Ryan because he gave me the creeps. He comes off as someone who forgot his Hyperactivity meds and not that bright either.

I suppose, if young kids are his primary audience then they must view Ryan as one of them because he acts like a 13 yr old who drank too much Red Bull.

[Comidoki]

08:46 AM on 01/07/2011

Earth to Ryan, no one watched Idol because of you.

He is seriously one of most annoying people in the entertainment industry. He offers nothing of value and is basically a parasite in that in order to make a living he just leeches off those around him with actual talent.

[Samirah1368]

10:32 AM on 01/07/2011

and yet look at all the projects he has going for him and the money rolling in! I can't figure it out because I can't stand him for more than a millisecond

[JackLordsHair]

07:31 AM on 01/07/2011

Jealous of your gag reflex.

[Krysta Mae]

06:17 AM on 01/07/2011

And so it begins...LOL

[jonjon tha 5 8]

12:26 AM on 01/07/2011

He looks like half of his face is turning but the other half forgot to go along.

[Mr Torrance]

11:51 PM on 01/06/2011

The little fella sure thinks a lot of himself.

[Debbi Mihelic]

09:08 AM on 02/12/2011

LOL...little fella. I always think of that when he's on tv or in the news.

[EvieEve]

11:23 PM on 01/06/2011

I guess he's trying to stir up ratings because he knows no one will be watching the show without Simon

[onionboy]

10:49 PM on 01/06/2011

Look at them wrestle. George Takei was just talking about how he and Brad do a little wrestling as part of their foreplay.

BTW - George Takei rules.

[Fucue]

10:56 PM on 01/06/2011

George is awesome.

[onionboy]

12:18 AM on 01/07/2011

George makes me proudest and most ashamed as an American.

Ashamed because of his internment camp stories and proud because of what he's done since and how open he can be about his life now. George should be made into some sort of ambassador to the straight community...and not just Sirius subscribers.

[dengal]

10:40 PM on 01/06/2011

I loved zach galifaniakis line about masturbating, he says "seacrest out!"