Simon Cowell sat down with former girlfriend, and Extra host Terri Seymour to discuss all of the rumors surrounding the X-Factor including the very shocking firings that recently occurred. Interestingly enough he blamed himself for opening his big mouth on how huge the X-Factor was going to be and when it didn't live up to expectations, there had to be a shake up:

"It's only because I opened my big mouth and said we were going to get 20 million [viewers]. If I hadn't said that, everybody would be saying the show was a huge success."

He admits that he discussed the firings with the FOX executives at the beginning of the year and reacts to Paula being fired:

"I would've liked to have kept her. She was very gracious and I said that to her. She understands it's business; it's never personal."

As for that Beyonce rumor that she is joining the X-Factor for $100 million, you can forget it. The show's entire budget is $100 million:

"No. I have no idea where this rumor came from. I read it online that I offered her $100 million a year. It's complete nonsense."

Although Simon refuses to discuss who is on the list for season 2 of the show, Terri did throw some names out there to gage his reaction: Madonna, Elton John, Mariah Carey and Katy Perry. Watch the video and see his take on those celebs.

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The next season of X-Factor is going to be a whole lot different given that Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones have decided not to renew their contracts with the show. Since that announcement (yesterday) it was also being reported that Paula Abdul has been let go and will not be returning in Season 2 either. That leaves Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid. It doesn't take a genius to realize the show will not work with just those two so it's only a matter of time before the new cast of judges is announced.

According to reports Simon wants to take the show in a different direction. Could that be swirling down the toilet? Who knows? If you recall Nicole replaced Cheryl Cole who was surprised to have been fired. Now her and Simon are back on good terms so does that mean a return for her?

Are you shocked by the shake-up?

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When I first saw this picture of Paula Abdul, all I could say was “Wow”.  Paula Abdul proves that some looks never go out of style with this classic white blouse / black trouser combination with up-to-date accessories.  (Perhaps it’s my love for all things Chanel.)  The woman exudes confidence and sophistication.

With her pants so form-fitting it’s hard to say where she’s hidden the junk, if she has any that is!  In her purse perhaps?  In all seriousness, for a woman that just turned 49 in June, she proves that she could teach us all a few things about style and dressing age-appropriate.  I bet Simon Cowell is in that car behind her with his eyeballs glued to her rear view.

You rocked it woman!

She’s baaacccckk. Paula Abdul is back in Simon Cowell’s life as one of the judges on the upcoming US ‘X-Factor’. Sources have told THR that the deal is done and Paula will be part of the highly-anticipated show that will be aired in September.

X-Factor starts filming today and Paula will join already announced judges Cheryl Cole and Antonio L.A. Reid. The deal for Paula to join was right down to the wire. Apparently Saturday afternoon they were still negotiating over some aspect of the contract that would have conflicted with her CBS show Live To Dance. But they got it all worked out and she will have her cute buns in the chair today to start judging.

Cheryl Cole Rocks The Bouffant Look

‘X Factor’ Is Already Breaking Records

As we previosuly reported, X-Factor will be hosted by former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and U.K. presenter Steve Jones. I’m loving the group of people the U.S. version of X-Factor has assembled. If America hasn’t already fallen in love with Cheryl Cole you know they will once this show hits the air. And who doesn’t love Paula Abdul? It will be incredible to have Antonio L.A. Reid on the show. He’s a very well-respected musical producer that has been around for a long time. To meet with his approval on that show will be a big deal.

Do you like the lineup? Will you be watching X-Factor?

During the Super Bowl on Sunday, we got a really quick snippet of a commercial featuring Simon Cowell, teasing us with his new X Factor.

Now we are getting a bit more out of him about actual details on the show.

“Once the show goes into production, I become a judge.  Then I have to put my trust into the producers’ hands, which is effectively how it works in the U.K. Yes, I am judging.”

So who’s going to be judging with him?  How about Paula Abdul?

“I’m a massive fan of Paula. We honestly haven’t made our mind up yet … We’re talking to a number of people. We hope to make an announcement in three to four weeks.”

I can’t wait!  I love American Idol.  I love the new format and new judges on there.  But I miss my Simon fix.  I am so pumped for this new show!

“I started to cringe over the years as I saw people being booked as the so-called ‘mean’ judge and being gratuitously rude for the sake of it. I had my own style and like to think I’m honest and wouldn’t sugarcoat something to make myself popular,” he said. “I am gong to try and be consistent, as I have been over the years … People know what to expect if I’m on the judging panel. I don’t think things will change too much.”

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Good!  I don’t want him to change a thing.  He’s perfect as is.  No changes needed, right?  Plus, Simon is going to be much more “hands on” with the contestants…. no, get your mind out of the gutter people!

“I wanted to make a show where I could help the competitors on a weekly basis and that’s more interesting to me because I will have a lot more to do,” he said.

Get this, the winner of X Factor gets a $5 million record deal.  Wow.  Yeah, that’s the biggest in the history of TV shows!

“The good news is people are still excited about these shows – Idol, Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent – people, thank god, still like these shows and that gives me confidence for when we launch ours [in the fall].”

Well, I am going to be waiting anxiously for the announcement of the judging panel as well as the actual premiere in the fall.  X Factor is going to be a riot.  Is there anyone you are hoping to see on the panel?

Photo: Manuil Yamalyan/WENN

Uh huhhhh.  Right.  We all believe that statement, now don’t we?  Today on the ’CBS Sunday Morning’ show Paula Abdul talked to Julie Chen about certain misconceptions people have of her … like her allegedly going on air drunk and that she is actually stupid. Paula went on the defense for herself…. not that anyone could blame her after all the rips she’s gotten,

Paula Abdul Gets New Dance Show Gig

“I am intelligent.  Having a brain, that’s a concept, yes, with Paula Abdul. I have a brain.”

Okay, but what about the drinking part?

“I’ve never had a drinking problem. Even though I’ve been in this business for quite some time, I’ve never physically been drunk in my life. I’ve never been drunk in my life. I don’t use recreational drugs. But I am goofy.”

That is a really big statement, don’t you think.  NEVER?  Never been drunk?!

American Idol is Trying to FAIL

I am slightly annoyed that she said that because I like Paula, but I don’t believe that for a minute.  Nonetheless, Paula has an exciting year ahead, drunk or sober.

Her new show ’Live to Dance‘ premieres on Jan. 4 where the top dancer/dancers will win a $500,000 prize.  I’ll be watching because I love dancing and I have huge respect for Paula’s skills in that department, so I know this show is going to be good.

Will you be watching?

Photo: Johnny Louis/WENN

American Idol has been doing such a massive “makeover” that it’s nearly unrecognizable anymore.  Have no clue what I mean?  Just wait for the show to begin, and you’ll be able to say I told you so.

Aside from the most obvious change of Simon Cowell being gone, along with Paula Abdul, Idol is trying to do a lot of different things in hopes of bringing a new success to the show.  WHY?  Big fans don’t like change.  That is pretty simple.

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One thing they are bringing back, is the contestants living in a big house together rather than staying in hotel rooms.  I think that’s great.  Very smart…. as long as they actually film inside the house….. which they may not.  Huh?

American Idol Lee DeWyze ‘Live It Up’ Drops!

Okay, there are a bunch of other lame little changes.  But the big mistake I think they are making is allowing the contestants to use social networking during the show.

“Contestants may be allowed to Tweet throughout the show,” a source tells PEOPLE. “But there are still logistics to be worked out.”

Are they kidding?  That is a recipe for disaster.  The public really has no idea about the drama that really goes on.  If you allow those contestants to blab about it on their Twitter pages, it’s going to be one messy PR stew.  But then again, perhaps they don’t care about image anymore and they just want that kind of hype and they do say that there is no such thing as bad publicity.

What do you think?  Should Idol contestants be allowed to Tweet?

Photo: Starbux/WENN

Wow, this is surprising.  Ellen DeGeneres has confirmed in a statement that she is leaving American Idol after just one season:

“A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idolproducers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,”

“I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next.”

She originally was brought in to replace Paula Abdul.  Simon Cowell also made last season his last season.  She goes on to say:

“It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for,”

“I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”

I can totally see how difficult it would be for her to criticize and hurt people’s feelings. American Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller says of the news:

“I loved Ellen’s passion for the artists and her nurturing skills,” “She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly.”

Is American Idol on its way out? First there was Paula Abdul, then Simon Cowell and now Ellen DeGeneres.  On top of that the summer tour is not doing well at all.

Are you surprised by Ellen‘s news? What do you think the future is for American Idol with all the departures?

Photo:  WENN