American Idol isn’t the same without Paula Abdul, says Simon Cowell.

On the Fox show’s upcoming ninth season, judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi return – along with celeb guest judges, including Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain and Katy Perry.

Cowell, 49, tells Extra the show is now “different. It’s like comparing a carrot to a banana.”

Though the judge says he doesn’t want to “get in the middle” of Idol execs and Abdul, 47, he says, “I miss her.”

He adds that Abdul – who denied to TV Guide that she left the show over money – is “someone who will always work.”

So what’s next for Abdul?

“I definitely want to do a talk show because it would be different,” says Abdul, who has shot a guest role on Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva and will host VH1’s Divas Live Sept. 17. “It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance.”

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Victoria Beckham plans to be the nice judge when it comes to critiquing contestants on American Idol — but she expects to trade some not-so-nice barbs with prickly judge Simon Cowell.

“I like that fact that’s he’s honest. I think he’s very funny,” Beckham told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show Friday. “He has a very tongue-in-cheek British sense of humor, which I have too. I’m looking forward to a bit of banter. I hope he does give me a little bit of a hard time. I love that. I feed off of that.”

Beckham, 35, says she doesn’t know Cowell well, but has one very pointed memory of him. “He is the only man in the music industry who turned down the Spice Girls and said we would never work,” Beckham said with a laugh.

Asked if she plans follow in the footsteps of Paula Abdul, who’s always been the most kind and nurturing judge on the show, Beckman says, “I want to be nice to people. I know how it feels to stand there and be judged … I don’t want to shatter anybody’s dream, but at the same time there’s nothing wrong with constructive criticism.”

As for whether she feels guilty replacing Abdul, she says, “I don’t. I’m a spiritual person and I believe that you get back whet you put out there, and I hope she does something that is bigger and better …. There’s something great for her around the corner, I’m sure.”

So how should prospective contestants aim to please Posh Spice? “What I’m looking for [in an Idol winner] is a great singer and somebody who has that star quality. It’s about the whole package.”

One other quality the fashion-savvy star would like to see: a contestant who possesses “natural style.”

Beckham is currently in Denver, where she’s set to participate in the first round of auditions for the upcoming season of American Idol.

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Despite word that Paula Abdul likely won’t appear on American Idol next season, fellow judge Simon Cowell isn’t worried.

“She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show,” he tells Extra. “I don’t get a lot of say. I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show.”

Added host Ryan Seacrest (who just inked a $45 million, three-year contract): “I think as far as I know, you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.”

David Sonenberg, Abdul’s manager, raised concern over the weekend, telling the Los Angeles Times that the singer-dancer hasn’t been offered a contract yet.

“She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on. She’s hurt,” he told the paper.

Meanwhile, a grass-roots “Keep Paula” campaign has launched on Twitter to keep Abdul on the show.

Matt Giraud, Anoop Desai and Danny Gokey — who are now on the Idol live tour – are among the alums who’ve taken time out to join the campaign.

Over the weekend, Abdul took to her Twitter page to thank fans for standing by her.

She wrote: “I”m actually moved 2 tears upon reading the enormous amount of tweets showing me your kindness, love & undying support. God bless all you! If it weren’t for you, this specific time and situation would feel a lot worse! XoP”

Source, Bauer-Griffin

Security guards had to restrain a female fan after she tried to accost a stunned Simon Cowell on the set of Britan’s got talent earlier this week.

“”All the girls in the crowd got excited when Simon wound his car window down to wave at them, but one went too far and actually tried to stop him from leaving.  Security had to pull her away from his vehicle and hold her against the ground to let Simon out safely.”

This most recent incident comes after Simon’s girlfriend Terri Seymour was attacked by a fan outside of the American Idol studios.

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photo: Bauer-Griffin

Jordin Sparks was surprised to win the TV talent contest – because she was distracted by judge Simon Cowell’s good looks.

The singer won the reality TV show last year and has since dominated the international charts with her hit No Air.
But the 18-year-old was shocked to win the contest – because Cowell made her go weak at the knees.

She says, “I did have a crush on Simon before going on the show. He doesn’t care about hurting people’s feelings and doesn’t hold back with that he says. For some reason, that’s so attractive.”

Source

WENN

Kelly Osbourne will never work with music mogul Simon Cowell – because of his huge ego.

The reality TV star’s mother Sharon worked with Cowell on The X Factor, but quit earlier this year.

And Osbourne understands why her mother could no longer work with the British music svengali.

She says, “I don’t know how he gets his head through the holes in his T-shirts because they’re really tight. You don’t have enough money, in this world, to pay me to work with Simon Cowell.”

Osbourne admitted she almost boycotted the X Factor, but changed her mind after learning Cheryl Cole had replaced rock matriarch Sharon.

She adds, “Seriously, I’m the biggest Girls Aloud fan, and that’s the only reason why I’d ever watch it again.”

Source

WENN

Security around Simon Cowell’s British TV contest The X Factor is on high-alert after a crazed fan tried to attack judge and Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.

Cowell and Cole were leaving a hotel in Glasgow, Scotland after filming scenes for the televised talent show this month when they were approached by an unidentified man.

Cole was posing for photographers when the lone man lunged through the crowd and grabbed her. The 25-year-old singer was saved by her assistant.

A spokesman for the show says, “Cheryl happily posed for a picture with this man – then he came up behind her and bear-hugged her.”

Security for other The X Factor stars – including Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue – has also been stepped up.

Source

WENN