Once the field is narrowed to 10 finalists, all of America can vote for their favorite candidate. Each week, in reality-show tradition, the man who has the least votes will be eliminated.
"It was always a dream of mine to make something work in America," says British-born music executive Cowell, who remains based in his native London. "I really started thinking about it once we had success with 'American Idol,' because doors opened to me that hadn't been open two years ago."
"Cupid" stems from people's suggestions to Cowell about using the "American Idol" formula in other ways. He recalls, "They asked why we didn't do 'Acting Idol' or 'Comedy Idol,' and I'd say, 'Those wouldn't have the humiliation aspect.' That's a big part of 'American Idol.'
"I thought there was nothing more embarrassing than singing badly in public," Cowell continues, "then I realized there was one thing: being humiliated by women when you're trying to chat one up and her friends just kill you. I said, 'You know what? That's a show.' That was reinforced when I saw some of the other dating shows in America ('The Bachelor,' 'Joe Millionaire,' etc.). In my opinion, they were turning into daytime dramas, a bit soft and quite predictable. I didn't think they were true to life."
In Cowell's mind, such truth gives a couple a real shot at staying together, which is why Lisa will receive the million-dollar "Cupid" dowry only if she remains with the man with whom she's ultimately paired for at least one year. "There's no point offering a million dollars to anyone if she only has to stay with someone for two months," Cowell reasons. "Besides, I feel this poses an interesting moral question for the woman.
"The public is selecting her partner, and if she ends up not liking the guy -- and he proposes to her -- she's in a horrible dilemma. If she takes the money, America hates her. If she doesn't take the money, she loses out on a million bucks. I like the fact that everything will be out in the open here, unlike some other shows (such as NBC's 'For Love or Money,' in which the man doesn't know the woman he selects will win $1 million). Everyone here will know where they stand."
Cowell maintains Lisa was an obvious choice to be the woman "Cupid" aims to assist. "When you cast any show like this," he explains, "about 90 percent of the candidates are doing it for reasons other than the show. Many just want a television career, but I wanted to find someone who was genuine. I became convinced Lisa was from the time I spent with her before we started taping the first episodes. Having spent more time with her since, I know she's genuine."
Because of the setup of "Cupid," Cowell also needed to find two of Lisa's friends he believed viewers would want to watch. He reflects, "The minute Laura walked in the room, I felt, 'This is going to work.' She's divorced, and she's cute. The other friend isn't as cute, so there's an interesting dynamic going on there. In other words, it's the sort of thing that happens in any bar across America or England any night of the week: A very attractive woman goes out with friends who don't get on that well with one another, but they act as the pretty girl's guardians."
While overseeing "Cupid," Cowell is hopping back and forth between continents since he has returned as a judge on the new season of "Pop Idol," England's forerunner to "American Idol." Moreover, Cowell adds, "I've got to run a record label (the BMG-associated S Records)." With more TV productions of his own percolating, Cowell left room for doubt that he would return to "American Idol" next season, but he now confirms he may be closer to making that deal than not.
"We've let the dust settle," he reports, "and my representatives are about to sit down with the people from Fox and have a hopefully sensible conversation about it. If it works for them and for me, you never know ... but if it doesn't, so be it. I'm very philosophical about it. If I don't do it, I will have very happy memories, and I will be more than happy to help them find a replacement. Besides, I still have the recording rights (to the 'American Idol' winner's songs) whether I do the show or not."
