Simon Cowell Pops the Question

Rumors have been swirling for some time that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is engaged to his girlfriend of about a year, Mezhgan Hussainy. Cowell himself has denied said rumors, but Hussainy recently spilled the beans that Cowell did, in fact, propose and that the two are now officially engaged.

The pair met several years ago while they were both working on "Idol" - she as the head make-up artist, and he as a judge. They became a couple after Cowell's previous relationship ended. The two are already living together, and Hussainy has hinted that the wedding will take place soon - probably within the year.

Drama Between "Idol" Judges Already?

It seems there is already drama stirring up on the set of "American Idol" between Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres. Simon arrived more than 90 minutes late to the first taping of the show, causing Ellen and the other judges to waste their time waiting for the veteran judge.

According to the Sun Times, Ellen was especially irritated due to her very tight schedule. She has already moved had to change her schedule to accommodate “American Idol”, including moving up the taping of her own talk show. With Simon leaving at the end of the season, “Idol” isn’t worried about leaking his bad habits anymore. A source told Pop Eater, "You should expect many more nasty leaks about Simon. The show no longer feels the need to protect him. Simon has been late for years and is baffled that all of a sudden, after he announces he is leaving the show, leaks to the press have started to occur."

Possible replacements for Simon are also beginning to surface. The Sun Times reported that the “Idol” producers want the new judge to have major music industry credibility. Replacements could include Tommy Mottola, Guy Oseary (Madonna’s business partner), and Jimmy Lovine.

Simon Cowell Has a Nice Side

American Idol and X Factor judge Simon Cowell was determined to buy the perfect birthday present for Alexandra Burke - who found fame after winning the UK TV talent show X Factor last year - and knew she had her eyes on a padded black Chanel handbag.

Even though the pricey accessory has a year-long waiting list, Simon managed to charm his way to the top.

Alexandra, who turned 21 on Tuesday, was speechless when Simon presented her with the gift.

"Alex was in tears," a source said. "Simon called in a few favors to make her day extra special. Things just couldn't be better for her."

The other X Factor judges - Cheryl Cole, who was Alexandra's mentor on the show, and Dannii Minogue - also splashed out on lavish gifts for the singer.

Cheryl treated her to a vacation at the Constance Lemuria resort in the Seychelles, while Dannii gave her a gray Tabitha bag.

Alexandra had a number one Christmas hit on the UK singles chart after appearing on the show, with her cover of 'Hallelujah'.

Her new single 'Bad Boys', which features rapper Flo Rida, will be out on October 12.

Paula Abdul To Get Her Own Show?

Inside one day - inside hours of Paula Abdul's announcement that she's through on American Idol, giving up what seemed a big pay day and in spite of not earning as much as Simon or Ryan ...her knight in shining armor has arrived in the form of NBC. And if NBC doesn't work out, she has CBS in the wings.

According to Paul Telegdy NBC is interested in Paula and Telegdy is "absolutely" interested showcasing Paula in the NBC lineup. In a quote to the post, "Is it something I have given thought to? Yeah. I think she is a huge talent. America has huge affection for her. I don't have specifics about shows or show ideas."

Telegdy also revealed that he had talked to Paula Abdul prior to her quitting Idol stating she pitched shows "in her wheelhouse," i.e. dancing competitions.

So did Paula have this all planned out in advance? She did walk away from a salary that could drown a horse but in the face of Ryan Seacrest's and Simon Cowells greater income levels, she felt slighted and more deserving of a lesser pay. If she does score a show on NBC, will she reveal her new salary for Seacrest and Cowell to take notice of?

Whatever it is, it better work. Outside of American Idol Paula has come up empty. Her attempt to restart her music career flopped, her 2007 reality show on Bravo was an embarrassment, even her jewelry on Home Shopping Network failed to break out.
Meanwhile the National Enquirer has reported that Abdul has been in secret negotiations for her own talk show with CBS. Quoting an Enquirer source, "Paula's been dreaming about having her own talk show for three years, and she's ready to make it a reality."

If you think about it, day time talk is where Paula may land and should land. Her honest straight talk, and unpredictable nature would be a ratings winner for any broadcaster.

Paula Wants 20 Million - Does Idol Want Paula?

It's not even been two days since Paula Abdul's new agent (David Sonenberg) proclaimed Paula was offended by not being offered a new contract with the next season of Idol just around the bend.

What does he do? Asks for 20 million on behalf of Paula. It's a brazen and brave move to assume the position of power but is it really just bravado?

Sources close to Radar Online report that Idol producers have in fact offered Paula closer to half of what her agents demands. If this is true, then Sonenberg is really just after media attention and trying to drum up sympathy.

The only question there is now is this; do the producers of Idol want Paula back? If not, she's going to have mud on her face (and worse no job) thanks to her new agent. If Idol does want her back, it's just a question of what is she really worth to the show? Perhaps she should stop thinking about Seacreast's payday and concentrate on her own. Someone needs to remind her that we are indeed in a recession and I'd gladly take 10 million for sitting on a panel and judging wanna be pop stars.

Simon Cowell wants Zac Efron to do Saturday Night Fever

Simon Cowell wants to produce a remake of the 1977 disco film, Saturday Night Fever, and he wants Zac Efron for the lead role. In the original film John Travolta was the lead role of Tony Manero, who disco danced to Bee Gee's songs. In Simon's remake hip-hop producer, Timberland, will rework some of the Bee Gee's hits.

Simon is working with producer Robert Stigwood to obtain rights to the film. Nothing about the film has been set in stone yet. When Simon can meet the expectations of Robert Stigwood contracts will begin to get signed. Will Zac be game for another film in which he must sing and dance? He has recently turned down Footloose because he no longer wants to do those types of films.

Simon Cowell says Adam Lambert will win

Yesterday Simon Cowell told Oprah that he believes Adam Lambert will win this season of American Idol. What was his reason behind this prediction? "He's got swagger," Cowell said. He also expressed this same thing on Ellen DeGeneres' show last week. So in Simon's mind Danny and Kris do not stand a chance. Each of the remaining contestants are very strong, but Adam does seem to have something more that sets him apart.

But the winner is ultimately the result of America's voting, will this prediction of Simon's affect America's voting tonight? American Idol often has unpredictable results and since the judges already used their save Simon can not alter the voting outcome.

Introducing Susan Boyle: Britain's Got Talent

THIS is great! It's very rare that Simon Cowell is rendered speechless. It seems he always has something to say about a poor singer performing on stage hoping to become the next superstar! Well, in case you haven't seen her all over entertainment shows and the Internet, here is Susan Boyle, a 47-year old contestant on Britain's Got Talent.

The Scotland native wowed everyone in attendance at her audition, and she's continued to impress Web viewers that have come across her performance on YouTube. It's received over 12 million hits! That's pretty huge - we wanted to share the video with you below! A lesson to Simon Cowell: don't judge a book by its cover! What do you think about this contestant? Does she have what it takes to be a superstar? These days, is singing enough or do you have to have "the whole package" to become a successful celebrity?

The End of American Idol

Yes, you read it right. Not only has the show run out of steam, the final blow is the insider rumor that the show is FIXED! The final four have already been chosen. (See above: Gokey, Grace, Lambert, Rounds). How is all this possible?

Let's face it folks. For the most part the contestants are entertainers, not artist. We have seen over the years the questionable talent that moved up the ranks. The show has fought to prove itself a talent show and not a popularity contest and in that vain, it seems staffers from the inside are beginning to leak that information to the press. Various columnist are reporting that an American Idol staffer is seeking audience with any member of the press they can find to reveal the show has already picked its final four contestants: (see photo above - left to right) Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Adam Lambert, and Lil Rounds. While these four are speculated to be the final four by various publications, the American Idol staff member is attempting to prove without a shadow of doubt the show is fixed by providing talking points between producers outlining they feel Lambert and Rounds as winners would be a repeat of prior selections. The show once again backs itself into the corner of popularity contest and not talent by way of Gokey's heartbreaking story of losing his wife recently to a tragic heart surgery. Fox is playing off this sentimental note and regardless of Gokey's talent, this is factoring into to their programming.

Last year David Archuleta implied the show was fixed when in early seasons Ryan Seacrest didn't get numbers straight on votes but still knew who the finalist needed to be.

With constant news like this and past gaffes by Paula Abdul where she seemed to indicate the show was fixed...(reading notes of performances that had not taken place on TV yet) it's all adding up.