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LOS ANGELES — He began as “Mr. Nasty,” morphed into one of the most beloved (and richest) stars of U.S. pop culture, and ushered in a brutal style of reality TV.Simon “I don’t mean to be rude, but..” Cowell bids farewell to “American Idol” this week, leaving a litany of stinging put-downs, an assortment of black and white T-shirts and big shoes to fill on what began in 2002 as a summer talent contest and became America’s most watched TV show.