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Who will win this year's American Idol title?

Simon Cowell doesn't know for sure, but he revealed a few of his feelings about season eight so far during a recent interview with People Magazine:

On who which gender will win: “[It will be a] boy this year"

On the Joanna Pacitti controversy: “I like scandals. It’s not American Idol without a scandal. In fact I hope we have some more, I really do.”

On the new semifinal format: “The fact that we change these middle rounds makes it less monotonous. It’s a more interesting group of people than last year, a bit more personality, different types of singers.”

A boy, Simon? Who do you think he's referring to, readers? The obvious choice so far is Danny Gokey, but you never know what will happen over the next few weeks!

Simon Cowell  is a big fan of Britney Spears.

Despite the lukewarm reception the singer received in England during her appearance on The X Factor, Cowell said he’d welcome Britney as a an American Idol:

“I would love to see her mentor the contestants. If she doesn't want to do that, but wants to perform on the show – I would welcome that at any time. She would, literally, be first on the list, as far as I'm concerned in any capacity. She was a riot. I loved it.

The buzz we had on our show was extraordinary. And even with all that stuff that's gone on with her the past two years, there was more excitement and interest in her than I've seen in anyone in years. She would be very, very welcome.”

If Simon Cowell gets his way - and, seriously, how often does he not? -  Britney Spears would guest star on American Idol. All the time.

Our favorite judge raved about the singer after she performed last week the Great Britian talent show X Factor.

"Of all the artists I have ever had on any of these shows, there was more buzz, more excitement for this girl [than anyone else]," Cowell told Ryan Seacrest on the latter's KIIS-FM radio show. "It was as if the president was on the show. I love it. I think if you're going to be a star, be a star."

Spears sang her latest single, "Womanizer," on the series and Cowell said it would be crazy to not ask the performer to be on American Idol when it returns in January.

"I would literally have her on my show every week for the next 10 years," he said.

In light of the tragedy that befell Jennifer Hudson and her family, everyone associated with American Idol are reaching out to the former finalist.

“This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family,” Paula Abdul said. “The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on Idol was very special to me, and I personally can’t imagine a greater loss for any family.”

Simon Cowell echoed those sentiments: :

“I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer, and her family.”

We weren't even gonna comment on Clay Aiken's recent announcement that we're gay.

What do we care which gender Aiken finds attractive? He's the same person either way, the same great singer.

But Simon Cowell came out with a classic, hilarious quote on the situation that we had to publish. When confronted with the official news, the American Idol judge said:

"Wow, that's a shock. It's like being told Santa Claus isn't real - unbelievable."

And people wonder why we love Simon so much!

Here's your first look at the new quartet of American Idol judges together.

Kara Dioguardi joined Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson at auditions in Manhattan yesterday for season eight. It begins in January.

Paula Abdul may have needed a day or two to fully embrace new judging partner Kara DioGuardi, but Simon Cowell let his excitement about the addition shine through during her first public appearance with fellow American Idol judges yesterday.

The quartet were on hand in Manhattan for a round of season eight auditions, as Cowell talked to reporters about his new pal on the panel.

"It's like, you know, having dinner with three people for seven years, and getting quite bored of each other," Simon said. "So it's having a fourth person, new opinion, I think it's gonna be interesting."

Moreover, Cowell said: "Kara has a good reputation of A, having hits; and B, having an opinion. And that's a good combination. And she's cute."

Simon Cowell is excited to have Kara DioGuardi on board.

I was a little bored.

Despite an American Idol finale that pitted two wildly popular contestants, David Arcuhleta and David Cook, Simon Cowell uttered the above quote to TV Guide in reference to last season.

"I'm not sure that they ever showed their real personalities," Simon said, complaining about the overwhelming media-savviness of the season's finalists. "They were like robots."

So, how would Cowell shake things up on American Idol?

"I think [last season] the talent was great, and the ratings were great, I just think it could be more interesting and controversial," he said, specifically criticizing the slow-moving middle and end portions of the season.

For a change, though, Cowell didn't fully speak his mind in the interview. He simply said he has "ideas... to introduce more jeopardy" to the proceedings. What do you think that means?

In a recent AOL Television survey that drew more than 1.3 million votes, Simon Cowell drew 39 percent of the vote for best reality TV villain.

Paula Abdul, meanwhile, was chosen worst reality judge by 42 percent of voters. Ouch. Touch break, Paula.

The AOL Television poll on the best and worst of reality television was conducted from July 9-23. It attracted 1,340,208 votes.

Do you agree with a poll that ranks Simon Cowell as the most villainous person on reality TV?

Thank you, Simon Cowell!

We've been saying for weeks that David Archuleta may have a great voice, but he has the personality of a desk chair. The guy puts on the same, strained performance week after week.

Cowell, meanwhile, made his similar opinion known during a recent interview with Blender. When told that his interviewer bears a resemblance to Archuleta, Cowell replied:

"I would think you have a bit more personality than he does."

As for his pick to win this season's American Idol crown, Simon also took the side we've been supporting all season:

"Probably David Cook," he said. "I think he's done more to deserve it over the eleven weeks. He's taken more risks, he's done things with certain songs that have been more interesting. If I'm gonna base it on who has done the best performances over the live shows, David Cook deserves to win."