A recent interview call with Simon Cowell, the judge of the hugely popular “American Idol” show which currently airs on MBC 4 on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 P.M., had him talking about this year's show as candidly as always. Here are some excerpts from the interview, provided exclusively to Saudi Gazette by MBC 4: A girl like Taylor Swift Asked whether the time was ripe for a woman to win this year's show, Cowell replied: “It depends what she's like. I kind of know where you're going. We've had a few years now of guys winning the show and I would say there is definitely a better chance of a girl winning the show this year, certainly than last year...you want somebody who represents what is going on at the moment. I'd love to find a Taylor Swift, somebody who's relevant rather than just a contest winner.” Endless arguments Known in particular, for being the kind of show where the judges disagree – and often – Cowell is known to provide the most uninhibited comments, often causing friction between the judges. Asked how often he was “overruled by the other judges,” he replied: “There's always a moment when you look at something and think, “I've made a decision,” but you just have to live with that. Luckily, they can always re-audition the following year.” Is he handsome? Much of the buzz around this year's show has been that it's the last one Simon Cowell will judge after his much-publisized decision to focus on the American debut of “The X-Factor.” Poking fun at the idea of a “replacement” for him, he asked: “Is he handsome?...You have to be good looking. Secondly, I think you just have to know what you're talking about. I think more and more now I'm starting to realize with these shows that we have to put people on the shows who actually know what they're talking about rather than guessing. They really have to have experience so you don't just criticize, but you can actually offer constructive advice as well.” Later in the interview he added: “You genuinely need to know what you're talking about. I think over the years judges have been replaced by personalities. That, in the long-term, will create problems because you have to be able to spot a star. So whoever replaces me, my advice has always been to find somebody who actually knows what they're talking about and has actually experienced success in the music business.” Countering suggestions that Howard Stern might be roped in as his replacement he said: “He's played records. Maybe that's a good qualification, that he's played records. He's a DJ.” On the suggestion that Noel Gallagher from Oasis be the replacement, Cowell quipped: “Do you think people would understand him?” Oh Paula, where art thou? One highlight of past shows has been the sheer amount of bickering Cowell and former co-judge Paula Abdul indulged in. Distance has made the heart grow fonder though as Cowell claimed that he missed her. “Paula's my friend. I mean, amazingly, even though we used to argue a lot, she was somebody I just got very close to over the years. We'd hang out together after the show. She always made me laugh; I always thought she was funny. It was just like not having your friend on the show anymore. I do miss her,” he said. Who's coming to spice things up? One of the main aspects of the show has been the “mentors” that feature on the show and provide entertainment and sparks as well as some old-fashioned mentoring. Cowell said he was looking forward to having Lady GaGa on the show. “I think we should have Lady GaGa because she is the most relevant pop artist in the world at the moment. I think she should be number one. I've met her and she's very smart. I like her,” he said. The winning ingredients? “I think you have to be original. I remember David Cook. The reason he did so well and suddenly came into the front when he competed was that he managed to find interesting versions of well-known songs and did them in his style. I remember the first time he performed a Lionel Richie song, Hello, and turned it into a rock song. Or he found the Chris Cornell version of Billie Jean. He was smart. I would say the same thing to these two contestants: don't always do the obvious; try to find something which is more unique and interesting to you...And suck up to me. That always helps.” ‘American Idol' on MBC 4 For the 9th consecutive year, American Idol is back on air with Season 9 and will premiere to the whole of the Arab world, exclusively and for the first time on TV on MBC 4. Rated one of the biggest shows in the history of television, American Idol gets thousands of fresh talents to audition and millions of viewers to vote across the US. MBC continues to broadcast concurrently with the US. For all viewers of MBC 4 who are fans of American Idol, MBC 4 has launched an online competition to test their knowledge of the show. Started on Jan.14th, general questions about American Idol are posted each week on the website www.mbc.net/idol for participants to answer. During the course of six weeks, six winners will be selected to take part of the final live quiz which will be held in Dubai this coming March. One winner will be invited by MBC 4 to attend the final show in Los Angeles. American Idol airs every Thursday and Friday on MBC 4 at 8 P.M. __
