The TV Zone

We've got some "American Idol" news, right here, right now, gratis of Simon Cowell, who just conducted a conference call. He doesn't do these often, and he said lots of stuff - none of it momentous - so without further ado, here are the highlights:

The writers strike: 'Won't have an impact [on 'American Idol,' which bows next week] ...People will [still] have a choice with other channels and we have to make a better show than last year and that's the reason we'll gain or lose viewers."

Guest stars: They'll be cut back, and their role diminished.. Says Simon, "we didn't let the audience know enough [about contestants] last year - where they lived or their likes or dislikes. Everything was about their chat with J Lo or Diana Ross. This year more of the focus will be on the contestants and less of a focus on the person mentoring that week."

Better contestants: "We got a better top twelve and more interesting than [the 12] last year. I'm pretty certain we got that this year."

Simon's Gone by '10: "Nothing lasts forever. I think the exit point to an extent is determined by the public who are eventually going to get sick to death of me if they haven't already. I always thought in my mind that I'd go to the end of my contract and two more seasons after this one, which would make it nine in total. Nine is enough to inflict on anyone. Can the show exist without me? Absolutely. It'll probably get better."

The album failures of Jordin and Blake: "Am I surprised? Not particularly."

Advice for Britney You-know-Who? "I genuinely think if I sat down with her, number one, remind her of all the good things in her life - her kids, money, success - everything to give her a sense of perspective - and then take her out of where she's living at the moment and have her live with her family and live normally for six months...She's welcome to call me anytime."

Handicap the presidential race: "It [teary-eyed Hill] didn't do her any harm. Tears on 'American Idol' never did the contestant any harm and it didn't do her any harm...Fascinating race...My gut, I think it will be a Democrat who will win the election in November, but overall a good bunch of candidates on both sides this year."

(Photo: Courtesy, NY Magazine)