TELEVISION

You have been quoted as saying that The X Factor is the “best show”. Does the not-so-positive feedback from Season 2 in America bother you?

I love the show this year. Everything is different.... The way we have shot the show, the way you will see it. We have gone behind the stage, shot with the contestants and the judges. It’s different from last year. I just love the show this year.

When Season 1 did not do too well, you were quoted saying you were “arrogant” and that this year you’re really being “careful”. Why do you think such a successful franchise is not working for the American audience?

You know what? There is so much talking on these shows now. I think you’ve got to mix it up a little bit.

With Simon Cowell on the panel, the audience always expects a great episode. Is it pressure to carry one whole show on your shoulders?

No. This season we have Britney (Spears) and Demi (Lovato). They are brilliant.

What do Britney Spears and Demi Lovato bring to the table?

I have a habit of working with annoying people. Demi has definitely brought that again this year, in spades. But that’s kind of what I expected. When I saw Demi a couple of years ago, I thought she’d be interesting to work with — her coming through Disney, being sort of a rebel. Demi, I feel like the world really hasn’t gotten a chance to see her personality over the past couple of years. This is the perfect opportunity for people to really see the light inside of her just shine. She’s very witty and funny and quirky. I just have such a good time working with her.

I think Britney is a fascinating person because you just don’t know anything about her. She really brings in the element of fear on the show. She does. She’s very unpredictable. You never know what’s going to happen. She has taken this very seriously, and she’s surprisingly quite mean. In the past, we’ve had judges who never say no. She can’t say no quick enough on this show. She’s quite difficult to please. But she’s a fascinating person and I’ve gotten to like her a lot.

What can we look forward to in the coming episodes?

Season 2 of The X Factor is bigger and better. There is going to be so much of entertainment with Britney and Demi and L.A. Reid. Every episode is just going to be awesome. I’ve seen the show. I think it’s sensational. I think the girls do a great job. The contestants are great. The show looks different to anything else we’ve ever made before.

What kind of talent have you seen in the auditions this year and has anyone caught your eye?

The auditions have been great. While judging I think like a record label owner. What do I want as a record label? What are people interested in? What they haven’t got? And I think we all probably feel the same way that we all want somebody new. Something that is not there in the music industry. We do not want to rehash something that already exists.

What’s Simon Cowell’s dream line-up of judges?

I always wanted Britney Spears on the show.

What’s your all-time favourite reality show?

The X Factor.