Simon makes $22k a minute...

File this under information that did not need to be made public during a worldwide financial crisis. At this point, it seems that Simon really does enjoy sitting with Paula and Randy (and now Kara) twice/three times a week for three months of the year, because he sure does not need the money.

Everyone's favorite quitter, Nigel Lythgoe, let it slip during a speaking engagement at the Australian Commercial Radio Conference on Friday that Simon makes "something like $22k a minute." Yeah. That comes to a total of an annual total of $36 million from FOX alone, nevermind factoring in his earnings from producing shows like X-Factor and America's/Britain's Got Talent and his position as a producer/manager. Randy and Paula? Seven-figure sums for those two.

Nigel further burned his bridge with Idol during the event by placing Simon on a pedestal while taking digs at Paula and Randy. Even though he is much more important than the latter two, is that really the behavior Nigel should be engaging in? Looks like someone's jealous, considering the real reason Nigel left was reportedly an agreement on his contract, or lack thereof. Translation: Simon makes more than he does.