Simon Cowell
Gossip

There was no way Fox was gonna lose two American Idol judges in one week.

With just a year left on his contract, Simon Cowell is reportedly on the verge of signing a new, three-year deal with the top-rated show on television. It would be worth $45 million.

While Fox has no comment at this time, Robert Sillerman - the CEO of CXX, the parent company of 19 Entertainment - went on record today, saying:

"We've heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on Idol. They, in their negotiations with Cowell, have asked us to pre-approve him not only for American Idol '09, which has begun taping, but they have also asked us for approval for '10 and '11, indicating to us that they're finishing their negotiation with Cowell. We did grant approval for that quite obviously."

Reportedly, Paula Abdul was offered around $8 million/year. Think the pay discrepancy between her and Simon is fair?

Simon Cowell wants Paula Abdul.

Not in the sexual sense, although the two American Idol judges often flirt like school children.

Instead, the British music producer has made it clear that his judging partner is mistaken in assuming the show doesn't want her back.

“She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show,” Cowell told Extra yesterday, responding to Abdul's manager's complaints. “I don’t get a lot of say. I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show."

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest expressed a similar sentiment.

“I think, as far as I know, you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.”

As for the most recent batch of American Idol finalists, they recently brought the Staples Center down with a crowd-pleasing show in Los Angeles.

In light of Susan Boyle's occasional breakdowns over the last few weeks, many have questioned the handing of the former Britain's Got Talent finalist.

Among the critics? Simon Cowell, who penned an editorial this week in UK's Daily Mail. In the excerpts from it below, the judge summarizes his own regrets and his own reactions to the Scottish singer...

On the handling of Boyle: I'm the first to hold my hands up and admit I've made mistakes. Looking back on it all, it has become clear to me that we didn't handle the situation with Susan as well as we could have.

On original impressions: She seemed fine with all the attention - I thought she was utterly charming and really thrilled about what happened. I thought, perhaps naively, that she was in control... I thought whatever happens, we have changed this lady's life.

On seeing Boyle's reaction to her Britain's Got Talent loss: I looked over at her face and thought: 'Christ, she doesn't know how to deal with not winning.' It was a bad moment. Afterwards, I went over and gave her a hug and tried to reassure her... we agreed that we would work together; that it wasn't the end of the road for her.

On not changing the show's format around: There is no easy way of achieving fame, and no guaranteed or trusted way of dealing with it. Who has the right to ban Susan Boyle, or anyone like her, from trying to sing her way out of one life and into another?... There have been problems, but I think overall it is a positive experience for her. I'm glad we gave her this opportunity.

A few hours prior to tonight's performance show (visit our site in the morning for a detailed recap!), a pair of American Idol judges are in the news.

First, Simon Cowell appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He touched on the following topics:

• Kara DioGuardi will return next season as a judge;

• Ryan Seacrest has lost popularity because he enters the stage on a staircase: “It made him appear more pompous, obnoxious, taking himself a bit seriously,” Cowell said. “You don’t give yourself that type of entrance.”

• Adam Lambert is brave: “I like the fact he’s fearless. He’s not playing it safe. A lot of the people that take part in these shows want to sing ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ every week because it’s a sappy song. He’s got guts.”

Meanwhile, in a more serious admission, Paula Abdul has finally opened up about her painkiller addiction.

In the latest issue of Ladies Home Journal, the singer says she was diagnosed with "reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome," in 2005. It's a a chronic neurological disorder that causes severe pain, often leading to teeth-chattering and shingles-like lesions for Abdul.

Continue Reading...

Back in March, the American Idol spoilers on the street were that the fix was in and the show's producers were doing what they could to ensure Danny Gokey and Alexis Grace as the top two, with Lil Rounds and Adam Lambert right behind them.

But with Rounds ousted last week and Grace not even making the top 10, that isn't happening. Guess you can't believe every spoiler you read.

It’s still no surprise, though, that Simon Cowell named Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert as his hopeful top pair at a press conference this week.

"I would put my money on Adam and Danny," the judge said. "It is going to be Adam and somebody. I would like to see Adam and Danny because I think they are the best two singers, and at the end of the day that is what should happen."

Adam Lambert has to be the favorite at this point, but perhaps Danny can make a run yet. Or will someone else spoil this party? Vote in the poll below ...

The next American Idol should be ...

This just in: Simon Cowell is not always right.

The American Idol and Britain's Got Talent judge says he and his panel totally misjudged Susan Boyle, as he told Entertainment Tonight: "We were all guilty of judging her before she sang."

With that admission out of the way, Simon went on to offer advice to Boyle, starting with the attention she's received for supposedly never kissing a man and for undergoing a mini makeover.

"I am tired now of hearing about the way she looks or the kissing or this or that. Get yourself together, sweetheart, for the big one, which is the semi-finals [of Britain's Got Talent]," Cowell said. "Chose the right song. Focus yourself. Shut your front door and maybe take a holiday and come back as the person you want to be, not the person you think you should be."

After all, Boyle doesn't have the title locked up. Have you heard Shaheen Jafargholi sing?!?

Welcome, celebrity gossip fans, to The Hollywood Gossip Caption Contest, a Friday tradition, now in its 67th week. How does one play the Caption Contest?

This week's contest - featuring an American Idol that needs no introduction - was won by Alan Hochbaum. Congratulations! Thanks to all for playing this week!

What's the matter Simon? Not Randy?

If only all celebrities were as candid as Simon Cowell.

The American Idol judge spoke to Fox News about his recent break up with Terri Seymour. A couple excerpts:

On the opposite sex: “I find women confusing really. When you hook up and date, you’re both honest about what you want. I have never ever said that I want children or marriage. I know some people find it hard to fathom, but it’s me, it’s who I am.”

On work: “Bottom line is I am married to my job. When people moan about been a celebrity, I think ‘Oh please, sort yourself out – it’s the greatest job in the world.’ I wake up daily thanking my lucky stars, but to throw marriage into that mix is not right. I have seen too many celebrity marriages that on paper make a great mix, fall apart through ego and just plain celebrity madness.”

Simon Cowell and his tight black t-shirts are back on the market, ladies!

According to the representative for the American Idol judge, girlfriend Terri Seymour ended the six-year relationship in August.

"Terri phoned Simon and finished it in September, about six weeks ago," said, Max Clifford. "They are going to remain close friends. Simon thinks the world of Terri and that isn't going to change. He also understands her reason for ending it."

Nikki McKibbin finished third on the inaugural season of American Idol.

Since then, the singer has faced a drug and alcohol problem... which she blames on Simon Cowell.

"I came out of Idol with a lack of self-confidence," McKibbin told Us Weekly. "I think I had my first solo in school when I was 5, and I got more as I got older: That's the biggest compliment in choir. I had never been told I wasn't good enough. Having to hear it for so many weeks from Simon Cowell killed me inside. I couldn't get the s--t he had said to me out of my head."

Nikki McKibbin claims Simon Cowell increased her heavy drinking and drug use.

McKibbin said she would sneak vodka into the house where American Idol finalists stayed, adding that Cowell's insults "drove me deeper into my depression. I wouldn't say that this was Simon's fault. It just added to the addict that I already was."

Look, we're not about to judge someone that's gone through such difficult times.

But Mckibbin loses a bit of credibility for complaining about treatment on one reality show... and then joining another one. Indeed, the singer says she's now sober, thanks to her participation on the second season of VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.