Simon’s Shocking Past

It’s an “American Idol” tradition. No, not the singing, but deciphering exactly what Paula Abdul is trying to say.

And as 30 million-plus voters get ready for the Top Ten “Idols” to strut their stuff, Simon Cowell came to Access Hollywood to give us a little insight into those “Paula-isms!”

“Are you guys concerned about Paula?” Tony Potts asked.

“No, we’re not concerned,” Simon chuckled. “I’m only laughing because she’s always been this way. Paula’s kind of a bit erratic, but that’s the way Paula is.”

Strait from the sources ? Simon and Idol executive producer Ken Warwick ? Paula’s just fine!

Well, relatively speaking?

“Last week, live, we’re going live, five minutes before, ‘Oh I can’t make the opening chat,’” said Ken of Paula.

“And how’d you get her out there?” Tony asked.

“It’s live,” Ken said. “What can you do?”

“As soon as she hears those words, “Simon will cover for you,” she’s like the road runner,” Simon laughed. “Whoosh. Back in there.And that?s just the “Idol” drama!”

Now the duo of Simon and Ken are adding another helping to their TV plate by co-producing NBC’s “America?s Got Talent,” the ultimate talent contest.

Singers, comedians, jugglers, animal acts and anyone else hungry for stardom will be welcome on the summertime series that Simon is producing for NBC.

But has Simon seen Wayne Newton’s “The Entertainer,” which ran on E! Television Network last year and had a similar goal of showcasing diverse talent.

“Yes. And I hated it,” he said.

For such shows to work, Simon said, it’s crucial to include the audition process. In “America’s Got Talent,” as in “American Idol,” viewers will learn who makes the cut in the five city auditions and then see further dismissals as the semifinals unfold in a Los Angeles studio.

How the semifinalists are dumped will be “very brutal,” Simon added.

“You want people who are sitting at home to say, “You know what? I think I’m the most talented person in this country,” and if you win, you get $1 million dollars,” Simon said.

Dollars are what drive Simon. He is making the big money with his new ABC show, “American Inventor,” which started strongly.

And over on ‘Idol,’ no one makes more!

According to Rolling Stone magazine, Simon is worth $90 million! It seems Simon wants as much cash as he can get his hands on!

“He has been offered, quote, in excess of $25 million a year by other networks to leave Idol and thereby wreck its future progress,” Tony read from an article.

“Why should you take a drop in money?” said Ken, to Simon’s laughter.

“True,” Simon said.

“Did you say that?” Ken asked.

“Well, don’t you think most people do? Or is it just me?” Simon asked.

“But you just told me 15 minutes ago that it’s not all about money,” Tony asked.

“I lied,” Simon laughed.

“Am I correct in this knowledge that at one point in your 20s, you lost everything and you had to move back in with Mom and Dad?” Tony asked.

“Correct,” Simon said.

“What happened?” Tony asked. “How much did you lose? $1 million, $10 million?”

“No, I probably owed the bank about a million dollars then, yeah,” Simon said.

“And how long were you back in the fold with mom and dad?” Tony wondered.

“Two or three years,” Simon said.

“It was hell in that mansion,” Ken quipped. “There was a time when he didn’t know where his next $10 million was coming from.”

“Shut up, Kenny,” Simon laughed.

Since we’re all getting so close anyway, we dared to ask Simon a couple more little questions!

“True or false? Started drinking and smoking when you were 9?” Tony asked.

“Yes, why not?” Simon laughed.

“Once jokingly held a bus driver hostage for 10 miles with a toy gun?” Tony asked.

“Yes, I thought he knew it was a joke, but he did take it a bit seriously,” Simon said.

“What did you say, ‘Take this bus to??’” Ken said.

“I said, ‘Take me to Watford,’ and put a gun to his head,” Simon said.

“And what happened at the end?” Tony asked.

“I got arrested,” Simon said.

So, you want to meet sweet Simon? You can! Just audition for “America’s Got Talent” in Los Angeles, April 6-8; Chicago, April 12-13; New York City, April 17; East Elmhurst, N.Y., April 19, and Atlanta, April 22-23.

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