“The show is not an inherently mean show, it is an American dream show,” these were Simon Cowell’s words as he rushed to the defense of FOX and America’s favorite reality program, American Idol. “If you’re not great, you’re going to get criticism.”

Cowell recently spoke out about the show itself, what fans can expect from the new season and the recent tragic events surrounding his fellow judge. “First of all, we’re talking about a tragedy here, and I don’t want to refer to her as a stalker,” Cowell said of Paula Goodspeed, the woman who killed herself just outside judge Paula Abdul’s home. “What happened was awful. It hit us like an express train.”

Paula Abdul has recently inspired gossip about her position on the show. The judge, for seven years the lone female of the group, has made a few incendiary comments relating to Idol producers. Goodspeed was allowed to audition for the reality program, even despite Abdul’s alleged request that Goodspeed be held at bay.

Simon Cowell didn’t exactly deny these claims, but he did try to put out some of the media flames that are turning the heat up on the situation. “My regret in all of this was, we didn’t know how troubled this person was.”

The famously acerbic judge even went to bat for the producers and other behind-the-scenes staff of the show, saying they “have the utmost integrity as human beings.”

“I spoke to them after the incident; they were absolutely horrified.”

Cowell even offered some tidbits on his thoughts toward Kara DioGuardi, who will be joining the panel for the first time this year. “There’d been talk for some time about adding a fourth judge, but we weren’t given the choice.” 

He spent a little time dismissing last year’s contestants before enthusing, “I’m actually optimistic about this year.”

This is a stunningly boring repeat of the same promotions the show starts with every single year. This makes it easy for writers - we can practically copy last year’s early coverage. Predictably, after Cowell ragged a bit on last year’s crop of talent, he went on praise this season’s group. Last year, Cowell called the cast “fresh” and “memorable.” He also they were strong and - get this - interesting. This year, he called the same group “boring.”

There are a lot of new twists and turns planned for the season, but one thing will not change: Paul McCartney still isn’t going to appear on the show. “We try every year to get Paul McCartney on and, for whatever reason, he won’t come on,” Cowell explained.

Britney Spears is another performer the acid-tongued judge would like to see on Idol. She recently appeared on the British version of the show, X-Factor. Simon said she “was a riot,” and “I loved it.” High praise indeed. “I would love to see her mentor the contestants.”

On American Idol as a whole, Cowell offered this statement: “these have been the best eight years of my life.”