Ryan believes if Simon wants credit for the show’s success (which Cowell does claim), he also has to take the blame when it fumbles. Seacrest added, “Plus, there’s a little bit of ego that’s getting out of control with you.” Ya think?

Simon, who is more vocal during the audition episodes, hit back at Ryan by saying, “When I’m allowed more airtime we get 34 million viewers. When I say nothing — and you’re talking — we get 12 million less.”