Idol Chatter & Voice Views

During a Thursday evening conference call, Simon Cowell said there’s a better chance of a female winning the American Idol crown in season nine.

Kara DioGuardi said the same thing a week ago, noting the recent success of such artists as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Kei$ha amounts to a women’s movement in popular music.

“You want somebody who represents what’s going on in music at the moment,” Cowell said. “I’d love to find a Taylor Swift. Somebody’s who’s relevant, rather than just a winner.”

The odds of a female winner will automatically be better because of the format chance since season eight.

This year, the finals will consist of six females and six males. Last year’s format chance meant Idol entered the finals with eight guys and just five gals.

Regardless of whether the contestant is male or female, Simon has this advice.

“I think you’ve got to be original. I remember David Cook. The reason he did so well and he suddenly came in the front when he competed is that he managed to find interesting versions of well-known songs and did them in his style. He was smart.

“Don’t always do the obvious. Try to find something that is more unique and intersting to you.

“And suck up to me,” he added, jokingly. “That always helps.”

And do sob stories help?

I mean, you hear so many of them on Idol. From Didi Benami singing for a friend who died too young. Like Katie Stevens and her grandmom, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Do those influence the judges?

“Not really,” Simon said. “Not on me. I’ve heard so many of them over the years. It’s about remembering people. Our problem when you do this show, from the auditions to the Hollywood round, is most people you can’t remember. If you can remember someone, it’s a good place to start.”

Other topics Simon addressed during the conference call …

What mentor would he like to see on season nine?

Simon: “I think we should have Lady Gaga. She’s the most relevant pop artist in the world at the moment. So I think she should be number one.”

How about the reported friction between he and Ellen?

Simon said it’s overblown, and that he thinks Ellen was a good choice for an Idol judge.

About Gen. Larry Platt and the ‘Pants On the Ground’ phenomenon …

Simon said that’s an example of why there isn’t an age limit on contestants in his show, “The X Factor.” “I always found a lot of these older contestants really funny, interesting, whether it’s him or somebody like Susan Boyle. For him, I’m absolutely thrilled. He needed a break. And I’m glad it’s worked out well.”

About the disqualification of Chris Golightly …

Simon said: “I honestly don’t have a clue why he was removed from the competition,” but imagines it was some technicality. Depending on the reason, Chris might be welcome to audition for The X Factor. Simon said Kara loved Chris’ performance when he auditioned; he said he wasn’t as impressed.

What’s it like no longer having Paula Abdul on the show?

Simon: “Paula’s my friend. Amazingly, though we used to argue a lot, you know, she was somebody I just got very close to over the years. We’d hang out together after the show. She always made me laugh. I thought she was funny.

“It was just like not having you’re friend on the show anymore, so I do miss her.”

And, of course, since this is Simon’s last year on Idol, he fielded many questions about his possible successor …

Simon said somebody like Madonna won’t happen, because of the time commitment the show requires.

As for Howard Stern, Simon says, “I’m fairly certain there hasn’t been an approach, at any time, for Howard to do the show.”

The key, Simon said, will be finding somebody who knows and has enjoyed success in the music business.

“It’s like if you judge ice skating at the Olympics. If you’re going to give a score, you genuinely need to know what you’re talking about. And I think, over the years, judges have been replaced by personalities. That in the long term will created problems, because you’ve got to be able to spot a star.”