so, the story goes, simon fuller brought the idea to the u.s.h simon cowell. >> he told his lawyers a couple of weeks before the start of shooting "american idol" to get him out of it. he spoke to a friend that told him he had to do it. >> you can be big in britain, but you want to be big in america. if you want to be famous, you have to be famous in america. >> reporter: so, he did just that. he got famous in america. but something he didn't have, ownership. >> you know, for simon, ownership has always been really important. he has wanted to eventually own a piece of his show. >> reporter: but in hollywood, it's not that common for a business person also to be the face of their company. few have actually been good at it. >> you're watching abc and "american bandstand." >> reporter: dick clark, an exception, staed out as the host, and nehis company now own new year's eve. and, this young woman. >> welcome to the very first national oprah win free show. >> reporter: who by owning her own show eventually became one of the richest people on tv. >>