'Mean' people top Forbes' list of top-earning media personalities

Being a top-earning media personality is a mean game. Forbes has released its list of highest paid media stars, and a few of them have something in common: they aren't known for being particularly nice.

Former "American Idol" and "X Factor" judge Simon Cowell, whose obnoxious public persona has earned him the nickname "Mr. Nasty," shares the No. 1. Forbes factored in Cowell's entertainment earnings between June 2013 and 2014, and due to his international "X Factor" and "Got Talent" shows as well as his music label Syco, calculated his earnings at $95 million.

That is approximately the same amount earned by "America's Got Talent" judge Howard Stern, who has also acquired infamy for his non-PC personality. He reportedly gathered most of his earnings from his radio contract with Sirius XM, for which he is oft described as a "shock jock" for his outrageous manner on air.

Then there's celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, whose expletive-filled rants have helped land him in the No. 10 spot with $47 million. In addition to his seven Michelin stars and 24 restaurants, the British foodie is the much-feared star of various reality cooking series including "Masterchef, "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares."

Ramsay shares his position with the lone mean woman on the list, Judge Judy, whose "Justice with an Attitude" approach has also earned her $47 million. According to Forbes, her series "Judge Judy" tops the most-watched syndicated daytime series, no doubt because of her entertainingly gruff treatment of the people in her courtroom.

But being mean is not the only way to become a top-earning media personality. Right-wing talk show host Glenn Beck -- who isn't so much brutal as bombastic -- slipped into the No. 3 with $90 million thanks to his online site, The Blaze. And the Queen of All Media, Oprah, would rather help than hate her guests, and she comes in at No. 5 with $82 million.

Also making the list are Dr. Phil at No. 6 with $77 million, the famously likeable Ellen DeGeneres at No. 7 with $70 million, Rush Limbaugh at No. 8 with $66 million, and finally, Ryan Seacrest No. 9 with $65 million.

So much for Santa's naughty list.