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Simon Cowell advocates for Piers Morgan to replace Larry King, video

By April MacIntyre Jul 2, 2010, 7:29 GMT

02/22/2010 - Piers Morgan - ELLE Style Awards 2010 - Arrivals - Grand Connought Rooms, Covent Garden - London, UK © Solarpix / PR Photos

Simon Cowell wants his English pal Piers Morgan to take over Larry King's chair on CNN.

"Extra's" Terri Seymour spoke to her old beau Simon Cowell, and he said:

"[Morgan] was under contract to us on 'America's Got Talent,' so he called me and we helped sort of broker the deal," Cowell said. "I knew about this weeks ago."

No official word on whether Morgan is taking over the vacating veteran newsman's spot, but Cowell is confident in Morgan's interviewing skills. "Piers is without question the best interviewer I've ever been interviewed by... apart from you, Terri."

As for who will replace him on "Idol," Cowell made an odd remark about the favorite front-runner Bret Michaels. "I'd say the hot rumor, and I always thought this would be, Harry Connick Jr. -- I thought he was good." What about Bret Michaels? "Maybe, but he's been ill, hasn't he? I'll call him up and ask him."

Yes Simon, Bret's been ill, made a few headlines but he is on the mend.

Cowell is currently auditioning new talent for his U.S. version of "X-Factor," premiering next year, which is lowering the age limit to 14. "We just gotta keep making the age go down and down and down. Eventually, we'll just have pregnant people turning up with a microphone in the stomach!"

Tune into "Extra" Friday for the complete interview.