The Fug Girls in an article in NY Mag have rated their top ten greatest reality TV judges ever.

They include the obvious like Simon Cowell, but also put in Top Chef’s Gail Simmons, and Top Design’s Kelly Werstler.

Anyway it is a fun read.

If it was including Australian judges I would include:

•  Dicko (in his first few years on Australian Idol before he left), he was like a breath of fresh air, with his direct judging style and quick wit in the first few years of Idol;
• Matt Preston - Masterchef, who else can wear a cravat, be bulging out of white pants and still have the female population swooning over him, particularly when he was stroking paella;
• Alex Perry - Australia’s Next Top Model – who tells it how it is but in a witty way;
• Sarah Gale, and Jayson Brundson – Project Runway Australia some of the expressions on Sarah’s face as a ghastly outfits sashays down the runway is hilarious, she is not afraid to give a contestant a tongue lashing, and with Jayson there is a nice chemistry.
• Helen ‘The original cougar’  Richey from Dancing With The Stars - she refuses to be painted in the middle aged, nice judge corner. She looks sensational, perves openly and is direct in her comments; and
• Matt Moran I am sure he has been a judge on a show somewhere sometime…

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It would appear Australian TV channels will be putting more money into Simon Cowell’s pocket with Channel Nine and Seven both vying for the rights of The X Factor.

Executives from both channels met with Simon Cowell to discuss the show an article in the Daily Telegraph reveals.

The article said:

“Seven made a very aggressive play for it and Channel 9 was very interested but were more conscious of the cheque they would have to write – but one way or another, expect it to be on air around February next year.”

X Factor aired here on Channel 10 in 2005, but was a ratings dog.

Don’t expect Kate Cebrano or Mark Holden to make a reappearance on the show. I suspect either Channel will make a play for Danni Minogue to be a judge/mentor.

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There are some weird conflicting rumours circulating on whether  Simon Cowell is engaged to his girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy.

The Daily Mail who normally is pretty accurate with Simon Cowell type news, claims he is engaged to the American Idol make-up artist.

However other sources say that even though Simon is in love and wants to have babies he is not engaged. (All Headline News)

All I can say  that Simon’s ex-girlfriends won’t be too happy with that news as Sinitta broke up with him because he did not kids. And Terri Seymour and Simon broke up last year after six years, and there was never any chat of marriage or babies.

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Mezhgan Hussainy apparently is Simon Cowell’s new girlfriend. The Daily Mail reveal Mezhgan is one of the American Idol make up artists, plus other details about her.

The article also reveals that he never told his girlfriend of six years that he loved her. Wow and she stayed with him for for so long.

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The Sydney Morning Herald’s TV section The Guide is suggesting British producer Simon Cowell hopes to have his franchise The X Factor on Australian television. He will be holding a series of meeting in February with Australian network representatives about the show.

The X Factor was a flop last time it was made here with Kate Cerbrano, and Mark Holden as judges, but with fresh judging talent, plus the singers that would normally have auditioned for the now cancelled Australian Idol it could be a success.

Australia’s Got Talent is currently holding auditions as well. So if you were thinking of auditioning for Australian Idol this year, you could now tryout for the popular Channel Seven show. Go Channel Seven’s website if you are interested.

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If you are a Simon Cowell fan you better make sure you tune into to Fox 8 tomorrow night as this will be his last season on American Idol.  There has  been much chatter about whether the highly popular judge was going to leave and now it appears to be true reports news.com.au
In 2011 he is going to concentrate on bringing The X Factor to the US. The X Factor is very popular in the UK and Simon will  be an Executive Producer and judge on the US version of the show. The show is currently screening in 17 countries.

Australia is not one of them. The X Factor was a huge dud for Channel Ten when it launched here many years ago.

American Idol season kicks off on Fox 8 Wednesday 13 January at 7.30pm.

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The after shot is American Idol judge Simon Cowell as he is in the new season’s publicity shots, and before is well before. Obviously there has been something cosmetic happening, either in real life on in cyber land.

Call me old fashion, but I think he looks hotter in the before shots.

American Idol showing fastracked on Fox 8 from 7.30pm Wednesday 13 January.

Photo courtesy of City Rag.

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Above is a picture of the new cast of American Idol including new judge Ellen De Generes. There is not doubt that Simon Cowell is the star of the show with where he is placed up front and centre in the photo. And so he should be.

Season Nine of American Idol will be fast tracked from the US, and commence on January 13 at 7.30pm, and will be screened every Wednesday and Thursday night. If you are hanging out to see Ellen you will have to wait until February as the audition process had guest judges. These were Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

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Veiwers who are currently watching Top Chef Las Vegas on Arena TV will know who the hot Voltaggio brothers are. There is not need to be down when the show finishes in a few weeks, as they will be seen on an internet show in 2010.

Speaking of chefs and reality TV, Curtis Stone is currently filming Celebrity Apprentice, with Donald Trump. Other contestants on the show include Sharon Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper. The prize is not a job with the Donald, but money towards their favourite charities. (Source: Herald Sun)

Reality TV star Tila Tequila’s  fiancee heiress Casey Johnson has died of an overdose. However Tila is still tweeting. (Source Daily Telegraph)

Season One Australian Idol runner up Shannon Noll has parted ways with Sony music, no news on who he will be signing with. (Source: Daily Telegraph)

Simon Cowell has apparently slept with between 70 and 100 women according to the Daily Mail in an article about Warren Beatty’s sexual dalliances.

News from other American Idol alumni, ABC News has an indepth interview with judge Kara DioGuardi, which talks about how she got into song writing. Also new judge Ellen De Generes talks about her role as a judge here.

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Masterchef Australia continues its aim of global domination with the show premiering in Britain on UKTV on the 18 January. Will Matt Preston have an international career? Don’t be surprised if this show gains traction over there, and I am sure George Calombaris is already scoping for a restaurant site. (Source UKTV)

Poh Yeow-Ling the runner-up on Masterchef Australia will finally be going to work with Curtis Stone later this month in LA. Celebrity chef Curtis offered her this mentorship at the finale. While she is there Poh may be able to give him some tips on being on a reality TV show, as he is a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. (Source Daily Telegraph)

Child Reality TV Star found dead in India. Apparently she suicided after her parents stopped her from going to dance class. Full story on Adelaide Now.

The Contender finalists will be Garth Wood and Kariz Kariuki. The final will be shown next Monday the 11 January. They winner will receive $25,000, a car, the title of “Contender Champion” and the opportunity to fight Anthony Mundine this year with a $250,000 prize purse.

Popular American Idol contestant Jason Castro at 22 years of age has married his girlfriend in Texas. He proposed on Halloween. No news yet on whether she is pregnant. (Source: RTE)

Britain’s Got Talent Runner Up, Susan Boyle, wants to date Simon Cowell. Unsurprising but disturbing nonetheless, doesn’t she know he would never date a 48 year old. (Source Hollyscoop) She also talks to Who Mag about her amazing year.

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi may have slipped and told everyone she is having a girl in an interview with Jimmy Fallon. Padma who is pregnant with her first child has not revealed who the father is. Not that there is anything wrong with that. (Source Examiner)

 Nicole Ritchie will be a guest judge on the seventh season of Project Runway. No news yet on when Australia will be getting to see the sixth season of the show. (Source Digital Spy)

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