LOS ANGELES -- Simon Cowell is more than just the meanest man in primetime television, he's also the best paid.
In an industry hammered by changing viewer habits and dwindling advertising dollars, the 50-year-old Brit and his Fox juggernaut, "American Idol," continue to score record ratings and big money. Though the singing competition's viewership has slid in recent years, it still managed to round out last season with an average weekly audience of 27 million, making it the most-watched series in primetime. And like Cowell's fellow top earners, the host you love to loathe has found several avenues to cash in, including judging, producing, and music publishing. His total haul between June 1, 2008, and June 1, 2009: $75 million.
While his wallet is no doubt thicker than most, Cowell's unscripted and diversified resume is a recurring theme on this year's list of primetime's top-earning men. In addition to starring roles on broadcast television, many of them in the reality genre, these boldface names have found ways to pad their resumes and their bank accounts with film roles, production projects, merchandise efforts, and endorsement deals.
LOS ANGELES -- Simon Cowell is more than just the meanest man in primetime television, he's also the best paid.