Simon Cowell Dishes on Upcoming Season

Posted 12/17/08, 5:45 PM GMT by Andrew Scott
Categories: News & Rumors, Interviews

Simon Cowell says he is "optimistic" about the upcoming 8th season of 'American Idol.'

In a press conference interview this afternoon, the notorious 'Idol' judge revealed: "This year, there seems to be more personality. They're definitely standing up for themselves more ... and they're different from people we've had before."

Cowell seemed slightly less sure about the changes being made to the show, including the addition of a 4th judge, Kara DioGuardi, whom he says he'd never spoken to before the announcement.

"We weren't given a choice. It was simply, 'This person is joining us, this is her history, and we think she's gonna be good.' I kept an open mind, and that was really it."

"I'm in two minds about this," he added. "because part of me goes 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' And the other part of me goes 'Well, it has worked in the UK.' So we'll have to wait and see."

But Simon did offer high praise to DioGuardi, citing her experience in the music industry as an asset to the panel. "She's written hit songs. She's got an opinion, which is very, very important. And she talks a lot, so I think, you know, [she's] probably well-qualified."

Another judge who Simon was willing to talk about: Paula Abdul. Regarding Paula's recent accusations surrounding her stalker, Paula Goodspeed, Simon admitted Goodspeed's suicide "hit us like an express train." He also claimed "we genuinely didn't know" about her when she auditioned.

"These guys have the utmost integrity as human beings," he said on behalf of the producers. "We wouldn't work with them if they were the kind of people who would deliberately do something like that."

Simon also said Paula has "never really had an issue" with him about joking around on the judge panel. "If I've thought I've gone too far, I've apologized ... If she really said to me 'I don't want you to do it ever again,' I wouldn't do it."

Season 8 of 'American Idol' premieres on January 13, and while Simon didn't confirm who would be guest mentoring this season, he did express great interest in superstar Britney Spears. "She would be literally first on the list, as far as I'm concerned ... I would love to see her mentor the contestants."

You be the judge: What do you make of Simon's comments about season 8? And would you, too, like to see Britney guest on 'Idol' this season?