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Simon Cowell not keen on Howard Stern, likes Perez Hilton suggestion

By April MacIntyre Feb 19, 2010, 0:29 GMT

Singer Katy Perry and Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton Fame Pictures, Inc - Santa Monica, CA, USA

Today on a conference call, Simon Cowell was chatty and spoke to a large group of journalists, including Monsters and Critics, and shared he felt his replacement should "know what they are talking about" when it comes to the music business.

When one reporter asked if this was a dig at Ellen, who Simon earlier in the call squashed the rumors of any bad blood regarding an old story that he recalled about him being an hour late for a Hollywood week taping. 

Simon further added that Ellen vetted musicians on her show and that he had dealt with her in a professional capacity over acts on his label. Cowell said: "She's very responsible for people she has perform on own show. She's an artist."

The question everyone kept throwing at him was, 'who do you want to replace you'?

Cowell was tired of being cast as "mean judge" said he wants his replacement to not be "gratuitously rude."  Simon kept mum on a specific name, except he did address the Howard Stern rumors which he said were not viable to his knowledge.

When pressed he ceded that "Perez Hilton does have good taste in music" and noted he would be a fun judge to watch. Cowell was asked whether Noel Gallagher (Oasis) could replace him: "Do you think people would understand him?"

And for a mentor this season? Simon Cowell says Lady Gaga would be great and is the "most relevant pop artist in the world right now."