Simon Cowell’s Superbowl ad for the US X-Factor, which cost £1.9 million to air and notably featured only him and no other judges, sparked lively debate on both sides of the Atlantic. Channel Five News reporter Ruth Liptrot caught up with Crispin the day after it aired (February 7th) to ask his opinion on the controversial ad. 

   
“The significance of Simon Cowell appearing on his own,” Crispin explained, “aside from the significance of his ego, shows the power that Fox recognise in him as an individual and the fact that he is going to be the focal point of the programme.”

The ad features Cowell being slowly assembled from shards of glass to emerge under a sign reading “He’s Back”. He goes on to tell viewers about the $5 million record deal on offer for the winner of what will be the USA’s first series of the X-Factor.