Simon Cowell On Life After ‘Idol’ & Dating: ‘I Quite Like Being Single!’

First Published: April 27, 2009 10:36 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Simon Cowell arrives at the 17th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Academy Award Viewing Party held at the Pacific Design Center on February 22, 2009 in Hollywood, CaliforniaSimon Cowell has been making waves for the other show he judges on – “Britain’s Got Talent,” but is he headed to a judging role on the American version of the show?

“No, no,” he told Billy Bush in a sit-down interview for Access Hollywood.

“You’ve taken ‘Idol’ to heights never before seen. Why wouldn’t you, now that it’s here, go to the show that you own, ‘America’s Got Talent,’ Be a judge on there and make history twice?” Billy asked.

“That’s a good way of starting [the interview],” Simon laughed.

“It’s not quite as simple as that,” he answered seriously.

But would he like to?

“I don’t know if I’d like to,” Simon said. “I like being on ‘Idol.’ I’ve had a good time. I like producing ‘America’s Got Talent,’ and I am on the British version and another show on top of that — [the UK’s ‘X-Factor’], so it’s quite nice to have variety really.”

Simon is front and center on ‘Idol,’ but this season we’ve heard a bit less of him with the addition of an extra judge, Kara DioGuardi.

When asked about the faces he’s made on “Idol” during the lone week they attempted to let two judges comment at a time, Simon laughed.

“I loved it,” he said. “It shows them what they’re missing.”

But while he’s having a good time, is his “Idol” time up, with his contract ending after one more year?

“My gut feeling is that I probably will do a new show after ‘Idol,’ but you know, we haven’t fallen out,” Simon said.

“Wouldn’t you feel bad taking even more money from [the show]?” Billy asked laughing?

“I’ve done very well,” Simon smiled. “I’m not complaining, Billy.”

It’s hard to imagine an “Idol” world without Simon, but his five-year contract expires next year. Maybe that would leave time for the ladies.

“Are you a single man? Any dating? There must be tons of action for Simon?” Billy asked.

“I love that – ‘Tons of action,’” Simon laughed, repeating Billy’s words. “I don’t have enough time to go out. I quite like being single.

“Do you ever want to be a father?” Billy asked.

“I feel like I’m a father to all the contestants,” Simon replied with a chuckle.

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