Simon Cowell: 'They Are Doing a Good Job' With 'Idol'

Simon Cowell left 'American Idol' last year to bring 'X Factor' to the States, but that doesn't mean there's love lost for the former judge.

We asked Cowell, through e-mail, if he was still watching the show he made into a juggernaut, and he said yes.

"I did see some parts of it," he responded. "And I think they are doing a good job. It's a different show to last year and the one before that."

But he added, "Really, when I think of the days I most loved on 'Idol' is when it was Randy, Paula and I. That's how I always think of 'Idol.'"

Simon also explained that he'd love to work with Paula again ("She's great and I think she's really got good taste in music"), that he would never follow Piers Morgan's footsteps and do his own talk show and what he would say to Charlie Sheen given the chance.

Tell us why you wanted to bring 'X Factor' to 'America.'
I genuinely think America has some of the best talent in the world and I think we can find a star. If I didn't I wouldn't be doing this. The 'X Factor' is a show, which we launched, and it effectively took over from 'Idol' about seven years ago in the U.K. It's very different being a judge on a show, which I was on 'Idol' obviously, to being on a show which you launch. I wanted to see older people competing with groups competing with teenagers and that's what this show is. Basically with 'The X Factor,' we are removing all the usual restrictions, you can be any age over 12, any style or genre of music and a group or a solo artist.

Can you explain how it's different from 'Idol'?
It's a very different show to 'Idol' and all other similar shows. Obviously the rules are different -- and I got rid of most of the rules! I wanted older people to enter, and young kids -- so you can be 12 or up. Kids that age are a new generation and there's a lot of talent in all age groups now. Look at Susan Boyle for example, a different show but she's one of the biggest selling artists in the world. You kind of have to see the show to know how different it is, but I guarantee you won't have seen anything like it!

Are you still watching 'Idol'? If so, what do you think of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez?
You know what, I'm back in the U.K. now, but I did see some parts of it when I was over there last week, and I think they are doing a good job. It's a different show to last year and the one before that.

Do you miss it?
Really, when I think of the days I most loved on 'Idol' is when it was Randy, Paula and I. That's how I always think of 'Idol.'

Will you ever work with Paula Abdul again?
I'd like to, yes. She's great and I think she's really got good taste in music -- most of the time! And she gets excited about new artists and music and that's important, especially for a show like 'The X Factor' where, as judges, you have to mentor your contestants in the finals. I don't know if she will be on the judging panel, we are still working that out, but we are talking to her, yes -- it's not just my decision!

Would you ever consider following fellow former talent competition judge Piers Morgan's lead and do your own interview show?
No!

What would you say to Charlie Sheen, given the chance?
Actually I think he's in a bad place right now -- but at the same time he looks like he is enjoying the attention. I watched a DVD of 'Wall Street' the other day and they had an interview with him at the end, he was incredibly smart and articulate. You watch him now and it's as if he is talking in another language.

Jennifer Garner Reese Witherspoon Scarlett Johansson Chandra West Jennifer Scholle