Simon Cowell's Brutally Honest 60 Minutes Interview With Anderson Cooper

Controversial "American Idol" judge and music producer Simon Cowell appeared on last night's "60 Minutes" on CBS in an exclusive and truly amusing interview with Anderson Cooper and said in his trademark brutally honest manner he loves every second of his fame. Cowell also said he regrets rejecting a couple's offer to judge their sex act for $100,000 and called Madonna fading.

One of the most successful producers and executives in the music business today, Cowell explained that the last five years of his life have been the best ever and added he could not see any downside to his fame whatsoever.

Cowell said he never knows which Paula will come to work, whether the normal one or a wacky one, but he finds her interesting and he is not concerned for her health due to rumors of prescription medication abuse.

Responding to allegations of contestant abuse, Cowell said he thought he was doing the most horrible American Idol wannabes a favor, as a kind of a doctor, who helps them realize they are awful and not waste 10 years of their lives.

Simon called Ryan Seacrest a genius and said the host of "American Idol" was very goof at what he was doing and their frequent on-screen conflicts are just battles for attention. He attributed that to his own inflated ego.

Cowell also said he loves, loves, LOVES money, as does everybody, and argued that if Anderson Cooper could stand under a money shower for an hour he would do so.

When Cooper confronted Cowell with allegations that he may have gone too far when he called a season 6 autistic wannabe a "Bush Baby", the judge did admit what he said may not have been the most professional, but on the other hand he was not sure if the producers should have edited the piece out as he does not support censorship and believes in honesty, however insensitive or painful it may come across.

Finally, Anderson Cooper asked Cowell to give "American Idol"-style critique about some of the legends of the music industry:

MICHAEL JACKSON - Jackson from 20 years ago was THE greatest artist of all time and no one will ever be as good as him. Jackson today however is gone and if he were offered to produce him, he would reject the offer because of "too much baggage" that made this former superstar too weird.

MADONNA - Madonna of today is fading. She is not as good as she used to be 10 or 20 years ago. Some of the stuff she does today is still good, but the glory days are over.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - He is a genius, but he may have the same problem as Madonna. Cowell doubts the music legend could ever return with a new album and matter as much as he did in the past.

Clips of the interview are available at 60minutes.yahoo.com

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