Simon Cowell On Hasselhoff, Abdul & Who Will Win 'American Idol'

By Access HollywoodMay 8, 2008, 5:04 pm PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- It's a month away from the return of "America's Got Talent," but judge David Hasselhoff has already been branded the Paula Abdul of the returning NBC show.

Simon Cowell, the show's executive producer, compared the 'Hoff to his fellow "American Idol" judge in a recent interview with AccessHollywood.com's Laura Saltman.

[ Dish Of Salt: NBC Summer Press Day 2008: Simon Cowell - Play it Now ]

"Actually I do [think he is the Paula of the show]. He's not around is he?" Simon laughed, looking behind him. "He is, in so much, that he's very unpredictable. He's incredibly emotional and you never quite know what's going to come out of his mouth, but there's a good heart with David. He is genuinely one of the kindest nicest people. Massive ego, always thinks he's right, but he's a nice person."

During the interview, which you can view HERE, Simon also explained what happened to Paula on last week's "American Idol" when she began critiquing Jason Castro on a song he had yet to sing.

[ 'American Idol' Celebrity Knock-Offs - Check Out the Photos ]

"I was actually laughing on the night. The true story behind it is that they told us when the show started that we weren't going to comment on their first song. I told them in no uncertain terms, this is absolutely the wrong thing to do," Simon told Laura.

While he didn't throw a notebook at "Idol's" executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, as has been rumored, he did make sure to share his feelings.

[ All Access: Simon Cowell - American Idol - Celebrities - David Archuleta - David Hasselhoff ]

"I wasn't amused," he said. "In the end we agreed we would talk to them at the end of the first performances and it completely and utterly threw Paula."

Despite Paula's critiquing snafu, she remains glued to her judges chair.

[ Simon Cowell's Kiss-And-Tell - Play it Now ]

"We'll only fire her when she actually becomes normal. So she's safe," Simon laughed.

The "Idol" judge also took the opportunity to opine on who he thinks will win the big prize.

[ Paula Abdul - Check Out the Photos ]

"Let me tell you who isn't going to win - Syesha, [is] unlikely to win," he said. "I think it's going to be between David Cook and David Archuleta. What I like is them in the final, I genuinely think it will be decided on what they sing on the night, so that makes it interesting."

But which way is he leaning?

"I think that you'd have to say that David Archuleta would go in there as a slight favorite.Young kids and also grannies like him," Simon said. "But in terms of stand out performances of the season, David Cook."

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comments

comments 1-10 of 23  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest
  • wyattdean
    The HOFF is so much better than Paula Abdul! Can't wait until this show starts back up on JUne 17
    report abuseposted June 14, 2008, 8:54 am PDT
  • VF
    David Archuleta breathes and makes a sound when singing, because his vocal chords were paralyzed a few years ago. The doctors didn't even think that he would talk again, much less sing, and he still has one of the purest voices that I have ever heard.
    report abuseposted May 18, 2008, 11:26 pm PDT
  • joshua a
    David Cook, who wants a artist to breathe and make a sound after ever note?, like c'mon guys david A, is too white... at least david cook gots some style.. and david cook sings better... david archuleta has a nice voice. but i would say david cook all the way..
    report abuseposted May 18, 2008, 8:06 pm PDT
  • Tatormom
    DAVID COOK!!!! He's a true performer...So really he doesn't need Idol. Poor Li'l David. What will happen to him if he doesn't win? I just suggest he doesn't try to move while he sings (It's gross!). But the true superstar is DAVID COOK. He is so talented in every direction... And SOOOO Yummy!!!! I will be first in line for his new album....I c
    report abuseposted May 18, 2008, 8:12 am PDT
  • -------
    DAVID ARCHULETA WILL WIN! VOTE FOR HIM! And I do agree that David Cook sometimes sounds like he's yelling.
    report abuseposted May 16, 2008, 5:42 pm PDT
  • Michael R
    David Cook is the better "all around" vocalist. David A's songs all seem to sound the same to me, plus I "hear" so much of a nasal pitch to his voice that is really irritating and distracting.
    report abuseposted May 15, 2008, 12:29 pm PDT
  • Michael R
    David Cook is the better "all around" vocalist. David A's songs all seem to sound the same to me, plus I "hear" so much of a nasal pitch to his voice that is really irritating and distracting.
    report abuseposted May 15, 2008, 12:29 pm PDT
  • Kristie M
    My vote is for David Archuletta!!!! Although, I do like David Cook. They are both extremely talented people. BUT I think David A. should win!!
    report abuseposted May 15, 2008, 12:08 pm PDT
  • Shirley QZ
    Simon IS English! Thats why his taste is songs or dress or moods are different..D.Cook does have pitch problems, D.Archuleta is always ok. My vote is for D.A
    report abuseposted May 15, 2008, 11:26 am PDT
  • Marlin w
    I think David Cook should be the next American Idol. David A. is way to nasally and monotoned. Cook has style and sex appeal he will be a great up and coming artist something not the next manilow like David A.
    report abuseposted May 15, 2008, 10:56 am PDT
comments 1-10 of 23  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

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